The Defenders

Phase 4 of the MCU can take the final steps toward fill out the originalDefendersteam from Marvel Comics . Marvel already make aDefenders group on Netflix , but a right version of the team could be introduce on the big cover .

Marvel ’s Netflix present culminated intoThe Defenders , a miniseries loosely inspired by the comic rule book superhero team of the same name . Netflix ’s Defenders consisted of Daredevil , Jessica Jones , Luke Cage , and Iron Fist . regrettably for Marvel and Netflix , the show was n’t received nearly as well asDaredevil , Jessica Jones , andLuke Cage , and was n’t considered a winner . Later , Marvel ’s deal with Netflix was send away . This mean that these eccentric could eventually be bring into the MCU proper , perchance with all - novel story and new thespian portraying them . of late , the rights toDaredevilreverted to Marveland it may not be long before Marvel can use the “ Defenders ” name again .

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The Defenders Poster

When this becomes an option , Marvel could theoretically reassemble these heroes on Disney+ , but make Luke Cage , Iron Fist , and Daredevil the face of the Defenders again may not be their plan . Marvel may have a much unlike plan for the iconic superhero squad from the seventies . To separate their protector from Netflix ’s squad , there ’s a near fortune that Marvel will put together a squad that ’s altogether unequalled to what Netflix had . The pattern for that can be found in the originalDefenderscomics from the 1970s and 1980s . One grounds why this Defenders team may be the only Marvel determine to make is related to the fact that Marvel is already almost there . Here ’s what Marvel needs to do to polish off its Defenders squad , and why it could occur as ahead of time as Phase 4 .

The Defenders In Marvel Comics Explained

Netflix ’s Defenders is a group of street - grade superheroes , but that ’s not at all how they were originally envisioned in Marvel Comics . The first card , formed in 1971’sMarvel Feature # 1,consisted of three of Marvel ’s most powerful heroes : Doctor Strange , Hulk , andNamor the Sub - Mariner . A fourth powerhouse , Silver Surfer , was sum in 1972 . The unofficial leader was Doctor Strange , who let the group use his Sanctum Sanctorum as a base . His idea was for the Defenders to be a group that would come together when the pauperization arose , rather than being a more lasting superhero team like the Avengers . For that reasonableness , the Defenders were often pertain to as a “ non - squad ” .

Hulk and Namor – who quarreled often – stuck around for a turn of cosmic and interdimensional adventures . As for Silver Surfer , he did n’t quell with the team for very long , and was speedily replaced byValkyrieand Nighthawk , who both serve as linchpin for over a X . When Strange became too busy with his activity as the Sorcerer Supreme , Nighthawk read over his role and used his resources to verify the Defenders stayed together . Heroes come up and perish as time passed , with characters like Beast , Gargoyle , and Hellcat all act as long - term members . One constant was Valkyrie , who was a Defender up until the very end when the comic was strike down in 1985 . Occasionally , Marvel has stage reunions of the team by bringing several of them back for more team - ups .

Marvel Already Has Three Key Defenders Characters

The five most important guardian in Marvel Comics are Doctor Strange , Hulk , Namor , Valkyrie , and Nighthawk . Silver Surfer is another one that ’s worth mention , but he has n’t been around nearly as much as the others . Of the ones list above , three are already in the MCU and are still participating . Doctor Strange ( Benedict Cumberbatch ) will be key to Phase 4 , as he ’ll be star inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessand will also have a front inSpider - Man 3alongside Tom Holland ’s Peter Parker . Tessa Thompson ’s Valkyrie is presently the leader of Asgard and will be appear inThor : Love and Thunder . The Hulk , one of the three founding Avengers who ’s still around in the MCU , has an uncertain future but could appear inShe - Hulk .

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Marvel Can Add Two Main Members In Phase 4

The other two of the five central Defenders could be sum up to the MCU in Phase 4 . Namor the Sub - Mariner , who may be the biggest Marvel Comics superhero who has never appear in live - action , is a heavy favorite to be the villain inBlack Panther 2 . However , that ’s not the only movie that could introduce him . The Avenging Son is a stiff campaigner forDoctor Strange 2’smystery part . It may be that the flick will include a aspect or two that explore his submersed home , Atlantis . This would help set up up Namor as a major player in the MCU in Phase 5 .

With Namor , Marvel would have the complete original Defenders lineup , but one more basis of the team could be incorporated into the MCU in the near hereafter . There are rumors going around that the Squadron Supreme may debut in Marvel ’s Disney+ series , Loki , or be the focus of their own show or movie . In the comic , Nighthawk got his start as the Batman - inspired member of the Squadron Supreme , who were by design created to be counterparts of DC ’s Justice League . If Marvel does have intention of using the Squadron Supreme , Nighthawk is more than likely to be involved . They would bring inLokior inDoctor Strange 2 , since most adaptation of the Squadron Supreme hail from alternate universe of discourse . That could be how they ’re worked into the MCU . There could be a timeline in Marvel ’s multiverse where the people of Earth depend on the Squadron instead of the Avengers for protection .

When The Defenders Can Unite In The MCU

If Marvel did complete the original team by total Namor ( and possibly Nighthawk as well ) , their next step would be to unite them . An opportunity for that could come somewhere in Phase 5 . By that metre , enough years will have passed that Marvel may be open to recycle the Defenders name and not being too concerned about audience associating it with the Netflix series . The amount of meter that will have gone by combine with how fundamentally different they are will aid Marvel space the MCU ’s Defenders from the previous , little screen iteration .

contribute by Doctor Strange , the Defenders could get their own squad - up movie . Alternatively , they could number together inDoctor Strange 3.Doctor Strange 2could provide the frame-up by having him meet Namor and Nighthawk , and then the sequel could take this a gradation further by deliver the three join effect withHulk and Valkyrie ( who already get it on each other ) . If this were to happen , Doctor Strange 3could be the bad crosswalk movie of Phase 5 .

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The founding members of the Defenders: Namor, Hulk, and Doctor Strange

Hulk Namor Doctor Strange

Hulk Thor Valkyrie and Loki preparing for the final battle in Ragnarok

Hulk Nighthawk

Thor, Valkyrie, Hulk, Doctor Strange, and the Defenders

Movies

The Defenders