Where Agents of SHIELD Characters Can Return In MCU Phase 4

Agents of SHIELD might be over, but the characters’ stories don’t have to be. Here’s where Coulson, Quake, and others can return in MCU Phase 4.

Now that Marvel Studios has opened the door to TV characters returning, here’s where the Agents of SHIELD characters could return in Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although the ABC series ended in 2020 after seven successful seasons, there is great interest in seeing Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), Melinda May (Minga-Na Wen), Daisy Johnson a.k.a. Quake (Chloe Bennet), and others return. Agents of SHIELD featured multiple MCU actors over the years, but the show’s stars never appeared in the films, outside of Coulson’s flashback cameo in Captain Marvel. Since the series is over, though, a debate has raged on about the possibility of these agents coming back.

The prospect of Agents of SHIELD‘s various characters appearing in any future Marvel Studios production admittedly seemed quite slim. Despite originally being sold as a show directly connected to the MCU, there are plenty of questions about whether or not Agents of SHIELD is MCU canon. The introduction of the multiverse in Phase 4 makes that issue not as pressing, as Marvel Studios has a few different ways they could include the characters now. Audiences have now seen proof that MCU Phase 4 projects are willing to use Marvel TV actor/character combos too. Daredevil star Charlie Cox returned as Daredevil in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Vincent D’Onofrio played Kingpin again in Hawkeye. There are even rumors about Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, and others getting a chance to appear in new MCU movies and shows.

It should come as no surprise there is a renewed optimism that Agents of SHIELD‘s characters could be next up for a return then. Seeing Coulson, May, and Quake might be near the top of most fan wishlists, but the returns of Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), Fitz (Iain de Caestecker), Mack (Henry Simmons), Yo-Yo (Natalia Cordova), Mockingbird (Adrianne Palicki), Lance Hunter (Nick Blood), and Ghost Rider (Gabriel Luna) would also be welcomed. Considering the multiple movies and Disney+ shows in development, MCU Phase 4 has multiple opportunities to bring Agents of SHIELD‘s stars back in some exciting ways.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

The soonest opportunity for Agents of SHIELD‘s characters to return in MCU Phase 4 is with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The sequel starring Benedict Cumberbatch will deal with the MCU’s multiverse exploding and the powerful sorcerer trying to save the day from a mysterious threat. There are plenty of rumors about Doctor Strange 2 using the multiverse to bring in surprise characters, whether they are Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, Tom Cruise’s Iron Man, or Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man. The possibility of Strange glimpsing various Marvel universes could bring him to Agents of SHIELD in theory. With an infinite number of branched timelines existing in the MCU, Doctor Strange 2 could confirm that Agents of SHIELD takes place in a universe that is quite similar to the Sacred Timeline but is not the main MCU timeline. Although this would be a disappointing result for some viewers, it would at least confirm the show as part of the MCU’s multiverse canon and leave the door open for any of its actors to reprise their roles in a new continuity as part of the MCU.

Ms. Marvel

The Disney+ show Ms. Marvel would also make a good place for some Agents of SHIELD characters to return, but that depends on Kamala Khan’s MCU story. Ms. Marvel is an Inhuman in the comics who gains “embiggening” powers as a result of Terrigenesis, the process of Terigen Mist unlocking an Inhuman’s unique powers. However, it is not confirmed if Ms. Marvel is retaining this part of Kamala’s origin. If it is, then someone like Chloe Bennet’s Quake appearing would make perfect sense. Agents of SHIELD revealed Daisy Johnson’s Inhuman powers in season 2 and dealt heavily with the concept of Inhumans. It would make sense for Quake to appear in Ms. Marvel then, as she could seek out Kamala after detecting Terrigen Mist in her area. Daisy would even be able to guide Kamala through this life-changing event and help her harness her powers. However, this won’t happen if Ms. Marvel changes Kamala Khan’s origin and source of her powers, as rumored.

Secret Invasion

There’s also a good home for Agents of SHIELD‘s character in Phase 4 with Secret Invasion. The show loosely adapts one of Marvel’s biggest crossover events with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Talos (Ben Mendelsohn) at the forefront of a spy/espionage story involving Skrulls. Many are intrigued by the idea of Coulson, Quake, May, and others appearing in Secret Invasion. There are theories that Quake’s mission in space in Agents of SHIELD season 7’s finale could be tied to SWORD or Fury’s Skrull operation. Even if the characters return in a different fashion, it would be fitting for Coulson and his team to be featured alongside Fury’s new crew. Many of these characters were under Fury’s leadership at SHIELD before it fell, so it would make sense for him to recruit them afterward.

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania might also be a good spot for Agents of SHIELD‘s characters to appear in Phase 4. This might seem like a less obvious place for them at first, but Agents of SHIELD season 7 included a way to make it work. Plot details for Ant-Man 3 aren’t known, but the Quantum Realm will play a massive role based on its title and the inclusion of Kang the Conqueror. The Quantum Realm was also included in Agents of SHIELD season 7, as the team used it for time travel, just like in Avengers: Endgame. The characters weren’t in there for long and made it back to their timeline in the end, but since Fitz and others are familiar with the Quantum Realm, they could potentially be brought in on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania‘s story.

Blade

Although Agents of SHIELD dealt with robots, aliens, and the supernatural, the show never included vampires, so them appearing in Blade wouldn’t be the most natural place. However, Mahershala Ali’s solo MCU movie could be the right place for Gabriel Luna’s Ghost Rider to return. He was originally meant to star in a Hulu spinoff show, but it was canceled, potentially so Ghost Rider could be in a different MCU project instead. Blade could be a good place for Robbie Reyes to make his return, as the film seems to be building a supernatural team known as the Midnight Sons. Ghost Rider would be a good fit on the team considering his connection to magic and other supernatural elements. If that is part of the MCU’s long-term plans, Luna having a small role in Blade could work.

Captain America 4

Marvel Studios could also potentially bring some of the Agents of SHIELD characters back for Captain America 4. The movie led by Anthony Mackie’s Captain America could be the place where the MCU brings SHIELD back into existence. Agents of SHIELD ended with the organization back up and running, a fact that the movies never acknowledged, but perhaps Director Mack will get in contact with Sam Wilson’s Captain America. He could even interact with Coulson, May, and some of the other characters who are still with the spy organization. This is contingent on SHIELD’s return being part of Marvel Studios’ grand plan, but since it has been nearly a decade since it fell in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the Agents of SHIELD characters returning in Phase 4 could help with the reintroduction.