Summary
Cosplay has been a creative and thrilling way for people to interact with their favoriteMarvel Cinematic Universeproperties. After some of theMCU source material improved on the costumesthat appeared in the comics, their uniforms became iconic. Cosplay has proved a fresh way for fans to engage with the heroes and costumes they love most inthe MCU timeline, leading to some impeccable results. While costumes of all cost and scale are made, there are many incredible, professional-grade recreations that tend to stand out perhaps even more than their movie counterparts.
Through the years, the best cosplay has featured creativity and movie-level quality in a way that allows interaction with tangible iterations of these characters. Many professionals make a living by transforming themselves into these heroes and villains, and thededication to craft can be seen in each of their loving, painstaking recreations. Through makeup, costuming, innovation, and creativity, these performers transform themselves into characters and are able to embody something bigger than themselves.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
10The Devil You Know And The Devil You Don’t
Daredevil First Appeared In The MCU In 2021
Taking MCU costumes and iterating on them is a challenging feat to pull off with great success. The films are planned meticulously, and the pieces are built to be interactive in specific ways to best execute the characters. With that said, this cosplay featuring@aegidiusdesignsas Daredevil and@aegiscosplayas Elektra is exceptional. Taking the practical, worn leather components of the Charlie CoxDaredevilseries and combining them with the Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto, Marcio Menyz, and Clayton Cowles comics whereElektra became Daredevilsuggests a possible future for the hero inside the MCU.
As more and more of the Netflix canon appears to be merged with the MCU,there is hope to see future versions of Elektra in the franchise.Whether by Elodie Yung or another actress, this cosplay suggests a possible way Elektra can be used in the MCU, which can be pulled from recent comics. Regardless of any prospective MCU future, though, this is an incredible cosplay achievement and is enough to generate excitement even for speculative Marvel futures.
Daredevil: Born Again
Cast
Daredevil: Born Again follows blind lawyer Matt Murdock, who uses his heightened abilities to pursue justice in New York. As he manages a bustling law firm, former mob boss Wilson Fisk navigates political ambitions, leading both men toward a confrontation as their pasts resurface.
9Lady Loki
Sylvie First Appeared In The MCU In 2021
With the popularLokiseries on Disney+, the multiverse is explored in great detail, and severalstunning cosplays of Lokihave naturally been created as a result, as countless versions of Loki appear in the series, including Alligator Loki and Kid Loki. The series also introduced a female counterpart of the classic Thor villain in a character named Sylvie. This multiversal version of the God of Mischief is a compelling character in her own right and has become beloved throughout the series. However, a much more direct gender-swapped reinterpretation of the character is possible.
Seeing@frogs_cosplayin this role may make some viewers wonder if the Sylvie route was the correct choice for the Loki series. With more villainous inspiration, and drawing from the earlier iterations of the character,this cosplay conjures many questions about what a more direct female interpretation of Loki might have looked like if the MCU had gone in a different direction. Thankfully, with multiversal storytelling, audiences may still see a Loki like this one in the future.
Loki
Loki is a series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the alternate version of the titular character, Loki, after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Taken by the Time Variance Authority, he must confront his identity and choices while aiding in fixing the disrupted timeline to avert a greater threat.
8A Recreation Of The WandaVision Poster
WandaVision Debuted In 2021
While cosplaying as a particular character in a particular phase is an intensive and creative task, this couple from Essex who post under the name@unipoolhave gone the extra mile, costuming themselves as a specific piece of promotional art from the series. Transformed by intensive makeup and stupendous costuming, extensive effort has gone into recreating the images of one of the most popular Disney+ series,WandaVision.The two simultaneously portray multiple versions of the same character in an effective visual trick.
By embodying two versions of each character,the essence and feel of the entire show are distilled into one distinct look. This takes the entire feel and premise ofWandaVisionand turns it into something tangible and interactive. Few combined costumes are as effective as this one of Wanda Maximoff and the Vision, as the exact MCU series it aims to replicate is made entirely clear with a single glance at the costume.
WandaVision
WandaVision, the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first TV show on Disney+, first aired in 2021. The series kicked off the MCU’s Phase 4 and brought back Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, and Paul Bettany as Vision. WandaVision strayed away from Marvel’s typical formula, this time formatting itself more like a classic sitcom as Wanda struggles to cope with the death of Vision.
Thanos First Appeared In The MCU In 2012
Working out how to make someone look like the goliath Titan Thanos is a difficult task. Some may argue that manyMCU villain cosplays are too intenseto be pulled off, and this would include Thanos. However,this effective cosplay raises questions about how CGI is used in the Marvel Universe, because it is compelling and authentic without any post-production effects. The cosplayer here, @kylorenfrompl, does not appear to be currently active, but has done excellent work in transforming the animated villain from theAvengersseries into something real.
Looking closely, it is difficult to see where this costume ends, and the performer begins, which speaks volumes about the quality on display. Creating a version of the terrifying villain who can be seen in real life is an incredible feat. Additional pictures interacting with the character make this much more believable and may make audiences wish to see the character executed in practical effects if he returns to the films.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War brings together the Avengers and their allies to face a new threat from the cosmos, Thanos, who seeks to collect the Infinity Stones. The film, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, unites numerous superhero characters in a battle to prevent Thanos' ambition of altering reality itself.
6Dr. Michael Strange
Doctor Strange First Appeared In The MCU In 2016
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell exactly where the character ends and the cosplay begins. In this case, viewers can’t help but wonder how much a cosplay likedr_michael.strangeembodying the Benedict Cumberbatch version of Doctor Strange is even a costume.The cosplayer looks almost identical to the actor, and many of his photos could pass for images directly taken from the Doctor Strange films.
Still, this seamless line between performer and performance is important in creating the most effective cosplays. In addition,this performer may resemble the comic character even more accurately than Cumberbatch. By outfitting himself as the sorcerer supreme and placing himself in recreated contexts from the films, this performer effectively recreates the feel and essence of the character in a real way. Simply because the performer makes it look easy rarely means that is the case.
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange follows the journey of a brilliant yet arrogant surgeon, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose career is derailed. He finds redemption under the tutelage of a mystical sorcerer, learning to harness mystical powers to protect the world from dark forces. Released in 2016, the film expands Marvel’s cinematic universe into the realm of mysticism.
5The Mightiest Thor
Jane Foster First Appeared In The MCU In 2011
Cosplayer@alysontabbithais known for her incredible transformations and is one of the most celebrated costumers and makeup artists online. Embodying characters from Anakin Skywalker to Kiri fromAvatar, the cosplayer transforms herself until she is almost unrecognizable and is entirely subsumed by the character she portrays. Some of her cosplays are so perfect that they nearly appear effortless, which is certainly not the case.
The Mighty Thor is recreated here ina suit and makeup that are even more convincing and mighty than the one that appeared inThor: Love and Thunder. By tapping into the character’s spirit and recreating the look faithfully to both the source material and the film, this cosplayer is genuinely transformed into Jane Foster. Images like these are enough to hope that the character may return to the upcoming MCU, perhaps taking a few cues from this interpretation.
Thor: Love and Thunder
In Thor: Love and Thunder, the Norse god teams up with King Valkyrie, Korg, and the Mighty Thor, Jane Foster, to thwart Gorr the God Butcher’s quest to eradicate the gods. This cosmic adventure sees Thor confront new challenges as he navigates his return from retirement.
4The Real Drax The Destroyer
Drax First Appeared In The MCU In 2016
Some costumes do not seem effective in translating to real life. Drax the Destroyer is one of the more difficult ones to embody, as the character is merely a muscular form slathered in paint and makeup that are meticulously arranged to appear convincing under the harsh lights of films and television. This makeup is designed to give a spacey and unnatural feel to something not seen in real life.
@sentinelofseattle, however, has found a way to transform that makeup into something real. Built for the role, the cosplayer has replicated a perfect simulacrum of theGuardians of the Galaxyhero via body painting, all while turning the makeup into something that looks more grounded and avoids any uncanny valley affects.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill. Abducted from Earth as a child, Quill navigates intergalactic adventures, becoming entwined in a conflict centered on a powerful orb coveted by Ronan the Accuser.
3Steve Rogers And The Winter Soldier
Steve Rogers & Bucky Barnes First Appeared In The MCU In 2011
Shipping is a common practice in fan circles, and cosplay allows for expanding some relationships in their multiversal storytelling. This excellent image of@roguesgallerycosplayand@girl_with_the_blue_hairraises the question of how a prospective relationship would have unfolded between the two characters, given their close bond in the franchise.
Following the forced and unsuccessful pairing of Black Widow and Bruce Banner inAge of Ultron, the question ofwhat makes an authentic connection between MCU heroesis reasonably raised. Truly, the relationship between Captain America and Bucky is one of closeness, affection, and respect. While the MCU has seemingly not approached this with any romantic intent in mind, it is fun to see and imagine the implications that cosplay like this suggests.
2A Practical She-Hulk
She-Hulk First Appeared In The MCU In 2022
Drawing on influences from the comic books and Disney+ series,@prototype.foxhas transformed into Jennifer Walters via some talented cosplay. This costume, which features colored hair and a more comic-accurate interpretation of the purple bodysuit but with the preserved textures,is enough to make audiences wonder if the computer animation of theShe-Hulkseries was worth it. Perhaps if the series had used practical effects and costuming, as seen in this excellent creation, it would have been able to reduce the budget enough to secure a second season.
Despitedisappointing updates for She-Hulk, there is hope for the character to return in the MCU. While it is unclear in what capacity, it is unlikely that audiences would be disappointed if Marvel decided to take a page from this cosplayer’s book and turn to creative costuming and makeup. This is truly one of the better reinterpretations that the MCU has inspired, and it would be a shame not to see something like this used in the universe.
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Tatiana Maslany stars as Jennifer Walters, AKA She-Hulk in Marvel’s Disney+ TV seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law.She-Hulkis a half-hour comedy series that follows the story of Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner/Hulk’s cousin. Jennifer is an attorney who must juggle her life alongside being a 6-foot-7-inch hulk. Unlike her cousin, Jennifer is capable of managing her transformation at will. With these newfound powers, Jennifer will head-up a new superhero division at an opposing law firm while trying to learn what it means to be a hero. Additional casting includes Mark Ruffalo, reprising his role as Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, with Tim Roth joining the cast as Emil Blonsky/Abomination, the villain who originally appeared inThe Incredible Hulkfilm.She-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis a part of the MCU’s Phase 4 and originally aired in August 2022.
1The New Captain America
Sam Wilson Became The MCU’s Captain America In 2021
Perhaps one of the most incredible things about cosplayers is their ability to take whatever media exists and turn it into something real. In this case, despite the release ofCaptain America: Brave New Worldstill being over a year away, andThe Falcon and the Winter Soldieronly featuring the costume for a short period, cosplayer@blerdofmouthhas taken the small reveal of this new costume and has built something tangible from it.
His Sam Wilson, outfitted in red, white, and blue, and carrying the Captain America shield, is a creative and patriotic execution that is even better than what appeared in the Disney+ series, and is suited for the big screen. Without much cinematic storytelling, an iteration in miniature like this creates excitement for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Speaking to the correspondence between fans and the films they love, this cosplayer presents an image that audiences can only hope is matched in the upcomingMCUCaptain Americafilm. This costume truly rivals anyCaptain America cosplay, not just the Sam Wilson ones.
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
