These 4 Marvel Characters Are the Only Ones to Appear in All 5 Phases of the MCU

Seventeen years into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with five full Phases completed and dozens of films and series released, only four characters can proudly say they’ve appeared in every single Phase of the franchise. Through all the epic battles, multiversal chaos, and shifting team rosters, these characters have remained constants in a world that never stops evolving.

While earlier Phases featured regular appearances from many of the original Avengers, most dropped off by Phase 5. Still, four characters continued to show up, either in central roles or memorable cameos—keeping their stories alive and evolving with the MCU’s ever-expanding scope.

Here’s a look at the four heroes who’ve managed to stick around through all five Phases.

1. Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau)

Jon Favreau’s Happy Hogan has been a fixture in the MCU from the very beginning. Introduced in Iron Man (2008) as Tony Stark’s loyal driver and bodyguard, Happy evolved into a more significant presence over time.

He showed up in every Iron Man installment, became a guiding figure for Peter Parker in the Spider-Man trilogy, and offered a heartfelt moment with Morgan Stark in Endgame. Even after Tony’s death, Happy remained a thread linking old and new heroes. His Phase 5 appearance came in Deadpool & Wolverine, where he shared a hilarious exchange with Wade Wilson inside Stark Tower.

Favreau also contributed behind the scenes as the director of Iron Man and Iron Man 2, and as an executive producer on several MCU films. His ongoing presence has been as much a legacy of his foundational role in the MCU as it has been about the character himself.

2. James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine (Don Cheadle)

Rhodey first appeared in Iron Man (2008), played by Terrence Howard. By Iron Man 2, Don Cheadle took over the role and has portrayed the armored Avenger ever since.

Through all five Phases, War Machine has remained relevant—from helping Tony in the early days to fighting Thanos and later tackling espionage in Secret Invasion. His appearances span Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, Age of Ultron, Civil War, Infinity War, Endgame, and several key Disney+ appearances, including The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Secret Invasion.

While Secret Invasion stirred controversy by revealing Rhodey had been replaced by a Skrull for years, the character’s longevity and consistent appearances make him one of the franchise’s most enduring pillars.

3. Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan)

Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes began his MCU journey as Captain America’s best friend in The First Avenger (2011), but he quickly became one of the franchise’s most layered characters.

After being presumed dead, he returned as the brainwashed assassin Winter Soldier in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He later became central to the events of Civil War, appeared in both Infinity War and Endgame, and earned a lead role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on Disney+.

In Phase 5, Bucky returned for Captain America: Brave New World and starred in Thunderbolts, where he helped lead a new team and solidified his position as a reformed hero. Confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, he’s on track to be one of the few characters with a six-Phase streak.

4. Loki (Tom Hiddleston)

Tom Hiddleston’s Loki has arguably undergone the most radical transformation of any character in the MCU. Introduced in Thor (2011) as the jealous brother and future villain of The Avengers (2012), he gradually became a fan-favorite antihero.

After faking deaths, committing betrayals, and saving the day (sometimes all at once), Loki’s journey took a major turn in Endgame when a variant of him escaped with the Tesseract. That led directly into his Disney+ series Loki, which explored timelines, destiny, and identity more deeply than ever before.

In Loki Season 2, he ascended to a mythic status as the “God of Stories,” holding the MCU’s branching timelines together. His Phase 5 journey positioned him as a cosmic-level figure, and with Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon, Loki’s importance continues to grow.

The Final Four

These four characters—Happy Hogan, War Machine, Bucky Barnes, and Loki—are more than just recurring faces. They’re living links to the MCU’s earliest days and are proof of Marvel’s long-term character building. Through solo stories, ensemble films, and unexpected cameos, they’ve been woven into the fabric of nearly every major event across all five Phases.

While others may rise and fall, these four stand as the MCU’s most enduring presences so far—and they may not be done yet.