Future MCU Tie-Ins for Marvel Rivals Could Already Be Secured

It’s no shocker that the MCU skins in Marvel Rivals are a big hit. With a bunch of new movies lined up for 2025, it’s a safe bet that we’ll see fresh MCU skins popping up in Marvel Rivals throughout the year.

In line with keeping things fresh, Marvel Rivals has been on a skin-adding spree. The game’s first season brought users new Lunar New Year skins for Moon Knight and Squirrel Girl, followed by similar updates for Doctor Strange and Mantis. Both Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman also received a pair of skins, adding to the lineup.

Now, let’s talk about what’s next. While Marvel Rivals offered new looks with the Season 1 kick-off, the MCU-inspired additions have been missing. That’s about to change, thanks to Marvel teaming up with NetEase Games and Regal Cinemas, aiming to deliver more MCU skins to Marvel Rivals.

A tweet from Regal Cinemas on January 17 revealed an exciting opportunity. Players who buy tickets for “Captain America: Brave New World” and are members of the Regal Crown Club can bag a special in-game bundle. Joining the club won’t cost you a dime, though you’ll still need to grab the movie tickets. What’s inside the bundle is still a mystery, except that it includes a nameplate and a spray.

Considering the characters set to appear in “Captain America: Brave New World,” there’s speculation about who the new skin could feature. Many hope for a Red Hulk skin, since General Thaddeus Ross, as shown in the trailers, transforms into this iconic character. Given Red Hulk’s prominent role in the film’s marketing, it’s likely he might make it to Marvel Rivals—though if it’ll be part of this digital bundle is yet to be confirmed.

“Captain America: Brave New World” isn’t the only project in the MCU pipeline for 2025. With several other movies coming, it’s not far-fetched to expect more Marvel and NetEase Games collaborations bringing additional costumes to the game.

After the February 13 release of “Captain America: Brave New World,” the MCU’s 2025 lineup will include two more films. First is “Thunderbolts,” hitting theaters on May 2, followed by “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Both hold the promise of more MCU-themed skins for Marvel Rivals, especially since these movies feature characters already available in the game.

The Thunderbolts are already represented in Marvel Rivals with a costume for the Punisher, even though he’s not an official part of the MCU film lineup. It was made available during the Season 0 BattlePass. The potential for more Thunderbolts skins in Marvel Rivals is high, especially for the Winter Soldier, a.k.a. Bucky Barnes, who still lacks an MCU-themed skin. Once the other MCU Thunderbolts make their way into the game’s character roster, he stands the best chance of getting such a costume.

For “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” it’s clear we’ll see MCU skins for the fresh faces in Marvel Rivals’ lineup—the Fantastic Four. As the Human Torch and the Thing gear up for a late February debut in the game, Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman have been around since the start of Season 1. The upcoming movie might blend MCU and comic aesthetics, as “First Steps” is allegedly set in an alternate universe with a 1960s twist. This could lead to costumes reminiscent of those worn by the Fantastic Four in their debut comic, making it a bit challenging to differentiate between MCU and comics-based skins.

Don’t forget Disney+ in the mix. It’s gearing up with two new mini-series in 2025 that could bring fresh characters and skins to Marvel Rivals.

Kicking off on March 4, “Daredevil: Born Again” marks the hero’s solo comeback to the MCU, continuing the Defenders saga started by Netflix and Marvel. Iron Fist is the only Defender currently on Marvel Rivals’ roster, because Punisher didn’t join the Netflix crew. Still, Jon Bernthal’s confirmed return as Punisher in the series opens the door to an MCU-themed Punisher skin. Whether Finn Jones’ Iron Fist will cameo is uncertain, but it presents another possible skin opportunity.

The other mini-series, “Ironheart,” premieres on June 24 and will spotlight Riri Williams, first seen in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” It’s set to introduce new characters, including some of Marvel’s lesser-known anti-heroes. One such character, the Hood, is rumored to join Marvel Rivals’ roster. If Anthony Ramos’ portrayal of Parker Robbins leads to a Hood addition in conjunction with “Ironheart,” it could introduce another character primed for an MCU skin.

Marvel Rivals continues to grow its impressive array of characters and skins, mirroring the always-evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe. With dynamic gameplay and fascinating skin updates, it promises to keep fans engaged with endless possibilities.