The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Fourth Phase is well underway, with plenty of new content for Marvel fans to chew on as they anticipate the next saga for the record-smashing superhero mega-franchise. At the end of Phase 4's very first year, fans have gotten to revisit both classic and brand new characters within the sprawling MCU.
While no Marvel fan turns their nose up at a good, old-fashioned superhero brawl or a multiversal cameo from years before the MCU's time, sometimes, it's the most wholesome things that warm viewers' hearts the most, specifically those of the beautiful (non-romantic) friendships that the Marvel characters make along their various journeys.
Darcy and Jimmy
Phase 4's very first installment doubled as the MCU's grand debut in original streaming content with the award-winning WandaVision, which saw Wanda Maximoff hold an entire town captive. In the wake of the Westview Anomaly, all hands are on deck to save the town, with the help of Dr. Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and FBI Agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park).
While these two characters have only appeared as side characters in previous installments of the MCU, they are finally given the opportunity to show the audience just how lovable they can be in the expanded format of a limited series. Much to fans' delight, the two worked remarkably well together, causing many to petition Marvel to center an entire spinoff series about their adventures together.
Gilgamesh And Thena
The Eternals may be heroes of mythology, but their 2021 solo film aimed to show viewers the more tender side of these supreme beings. While some of these characterizations didn't necessarily land with viewers, a few certainly did, including those of Thena (Angelina Jolie) and Gilgamesh (Don Lee).
This pair demonstrated their resolve in helping one another through the centuries, with Gilgamesh even being willing to walk away from the only family he's ever known just to watch over Thena, who suffered from the Eternal sickness Madweary. This relationship culminates in the tragic, but ultimately noble, sacrifice of Gilgamesh in a battle with Deviant leader Kro.
Clint And Kate
Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) closed out the MCU's year with their own series, Hawkeye, which seems to be a title they will share going forward. The series follows their bizarrely adorable relationship as Clint reluctantly trains Kate to be the new Hawkeye.
While there is plenty of content in Hawkeye to keep fans satiated, including the exciting return of Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk, the relationship between Clint and Kate is in many ways the heart of the show. Over the series' eight episodes, the two learn not only to trust each other but to rely on one another in the midst of danger.
Dr. Strange And Wong
Though both have only played ing roles thus far in Phase 4, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Wong (Benedict Wong) are always an entertaining pair to see on-screen. While Strange and Wong have only appeared once together since fun multiversal cameos from past Marvel heroes.
In their limited time together in Phase 4, Strange and Wong already have the fanbase chattering about their future relationship, both as friends and coworkers. Though No Way Home poked fun at their hilarious bickering regarding Wong's promotion, it is sure to be a topic of greater interest in the Doctor Strange sequel.
Kate And Yelena
One cameo that fans were incredibly excited to see in Hawkeye was that of Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh). From the moment that her presence in the series was announced, fans knew that Clint Barton was in for a beatdown. One thing they may not have expected, however, was just how delightful Yelena and Kate Bishop would prove to be as a pair.
From the moment Yelena broke into Kate's apartment hours after their first meeting to make macaroni and cheese, it became clear that the two would have a friendly, if not chaotic, relationship moving forward. The pair's clear chemistry stole several scenes in Hawkeye's last few episodes, making fans wonder if Kate Bishop's next MCU appearance might include a team-up with Yelena herself.
Loki And Mobius
Loki's own self-titled series blew fans away with plenty of fun cameos, world-breaking hints at the MCU's future, and the introduction of the Time Variance Authority. It also featured a surprisingly heart-warming bond between Tom Hiddleston's God of Mischief and Owen Wilson's time detective, Agent Mobius M. Mobius.
Although Loki initially wanted nothing to do with Agent Mobius, he gradually came to see the time detective as one of his very few allies in unraveling all the secrets behind the TVA. By the end of one of the worst things to ever happen to Loki.
Shang-Chi And Katy
Some fans were surprised to find just how quickly Simu Liu's Shang-Chi found his way into their hearts this Fall with his own solo film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Despite his relative newness to the MCU, Shang-Chi, alongside his best friend Katy (Awkwafina), already feel like they've been around the franchise forever.
The relationship between Shang-Chi and Katy has been lauded by many fans as refreshing, given their extremely close friendship that manages to remain platonic after their many years side-by-side. In a time when it seems every male and female lead must fall in love sooner or later, Shang-Chi and Katy remain a delightful stand-out, proving that not every trope is set in stone.
Friends Of Spider-Man (FOS)
Spider-Man: No Way Home has become by far the most successful solo film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, exploring the fallout of Mysterio's backup plan at the end of the previous movie. Throughout this multiversal epic, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is assisted by his two best friends Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon) and Michelle Jones-Watson (Zendaya), who hilariously label themselves the "FOS" (Friends of Spider-Man).
This friend group prevails in that, while Peter and MJ do have a romantic relationship, the trio never loses the core amiability that brought them together in the first place. The FOS knock every high school friend group trope out of the park over the course of three films, only to deliver a shockingly tragic ending to their time together as the world, including Ned and MJ, is caused to forget Peter Parker's very existence.
Sam And Bucky
From the very beginning, Falcon and the Winter Soldier promised to further explore the already iconic relationship between Captain America's two former sidekicks, Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan). The series certainly delivered on that point, spending plenty of time on the two's friendly rivalry.
Though previous phases of the MCU have portrayed Sam and Bucky as having a relatively rocky relationship, Falcon and the Winter Soldier allows the two to bond in a way they never have before, as they struggle with carrying on the legacy of their best friend, Steve Rogers. Over the course of the series, the two go from competing sidekicks to two self-made heroes with an unbreakable mutual sense of brotherhood.
The Spider-Men
The years preceding the debut of Spider-Man: No Way Home were bursting with rumors regarding the film's premise and potential cameos, most of which shockingly proved to be true. Much to the absolute joy of Spider-Man fans everywhere, the third installment of the Homecoming franchise saw Tom Holland's Spider-Man team up with the two previous cinematic versions of the character, played by Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire.
Perhaps even more surprising than Garfield's and Maguire's involvement in the film was just how much they were given to do therein. Never once are they treated as minor cameos, but become legitimate ing characters in the film's plot. Over the course of the movie, the three Spider-Man forge a bond that is perhaps stronger than anything ever seen before in the MCU, causing fans to immediately theorize as to when they'll see the trio reunite.
