Los Angeles, CA – The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) faced a wave of deaths in its 2023 slate, leaving fans shocked and heartbroken. Marvel Studios had a tumultuous year, releasing three new movies and two live-action series, which took audiences on a roller-coaster ride of emotions.
Phase 5 of the MCU saw some bold choices in its storytelling, with several major characters meeting their demise. In order to fully grasp the magnitude of these losses, let’s take a closer look at the 22 significant characters who died across the franchise’s live-action movies and Disney+ shows in 2023.
One notable death was that of Xolum, a Freedom Fighter in the Quantum Realm from “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.” Xolum fought bravely against Kang the Conqueror and his army, but ultimately met his end when Kang disintegrated him with a blast of power.
MODOK, portrayed by Corey Stoll in the film, also met a tragic fate. After initially working as Kang’s muscle, he turned against his leader during the final battle. However, he perished while trying to break through Kang’s energy shield.
Jonathan Majors’ portrayal of Kang the Conqueror, the main antagonist in “Ant-Man 3,” also came to a stunning end. In the climactic showdown, Kang was sucked into a malfunctioning Multiversal Engine Core, while Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne managed to escape.
Elizabeth Debicki’s Ayesha, who played a secondary villain in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” faced a tragic demise. When the High Evolutionary destroyed Counter-Earth, Ayesha became collateral damage.
Other characters from the “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” met their end, including Linda Cardellini’s Lylla, Mikaela Hoover’s Floor the Rabbit, and Asim Chaudhry’s Teefs the Walrus. Their deaths occurred during Rocket’s attempt to confront the High Evolutionary.
In the Disney+ series “Secret Invasion,” Cobie Smulders’ Maria Hill and Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos were among the casualties. Maria Hill fell victim to a disguised Gravik’s lethal shot, while Talos was shot and then fatally stabbed by Gravik.
The deaths continued with the Skrull characters in “Secret Invasion.” Pagon, played by Killian Scott, was killed after speaking out against Gravik. Agent Prescod, a CIA agent, was shot and killed by Skrull Everett Ross, who had disguised himself as a trusted ally.
Gravik, the rogue Skrull leader played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, met his end in an epic superpowered battle with Emilia Clarke’s G’iah. Other Skrulls, including Raava and Skrull Everett Ross, also faced demise in the series.
Finally, in “The Marvels,” Captain Marvel returned to Hala and took out the Supreme Intelligence, leaving the planet in despair. Zawe Ashton’s Dar-Benn, a Kree warrior, met her end when the Multiversal wormhole she created proved too powerful.
These deaths mark significant milestones for the MCU, shaping its future and setting the stage for new storylines. As fans continue to mourn the loss of beloved characters, the franchise prepares for what lies ahead.
It is worth noting that some cast members, such as Jonathan Majors, will no longer play their respective roles due to outside circumstances. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility of recasting characters like Kang the Conqueror in the future.
The deaths of these characters serve as a reminder that no one is safe in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, adding depth and emotional weight to the stories being told. As the MCU continues to captivate audiences, fans eagerly anticipate what lies in store for their favorite heroes and villains.
In conclusion, the MCU saw a significant number of character deaths in 2023 across its movies and Disney+ shows. These losses leave a lasting impact on the franchise and its fans, setting the stage for new narratives and possibilities.