Marvel Netflix Heroes Returning To The MCU Can Fix A Hated Character
If the MCU brings back more characters from the Marvel Netflix shows, there would be a chance to fix Trish Walker, the most hated character from Jessica Jones. December 2021 was a landmark month for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the return of the previous live-action Spider-Men and their villains in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the MCU introduction of Charlie Cox's Matt Murdock, a.k.a. Daredevil in the same movie, and the incorporation of Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk a.k.a. Kingpin in Hawkeye. Now, the door is open for more Marvel Netflix characters like Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and the Punisher to enter the MCU proper.
However, fans should expect several changes to these characters. Just like Kingpin appeared to be tougher yet less brutal in Hawkeye, the Punisher would have to tone down his violent tendencies, and Jessica Jones would likely face a less heinous villain than the abusive Kilgrave. After all, the MCU doesn't work with sensitive or explicit content, and the formula has worked so far. Further, the changes made to Marvel Netflix characters also provide the opportunity to fix aspects that weren't well-received, especially in universally hated characters.
Throughout Jessica Jones' three-season run, Trish Walker made it very clear that her main motivation was to be a superhero. In the quest to fulfill her ideals, she ended up making countless questionable decisions that turned her into a criminal. Although this transformation could have depicted her as a misguided hero on a tragic downward spiral into villainy (similar to the MCU's Thanos and his obsessive wish to help the universe), she instead came off as a self-righteous jerk who couldn't stop messing up due to sheer incompetence and self-centeredness. Many Jessica Jones fans took an issue with Trish Walker's portrayal, as she was too much of a sociopath to be considered a hero and too inept and bland to fill the role of a compelling villain.
The brief appearances of Daredevil and Kingpin in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye didn't need any complex explanation to let fans understand that Charlie Cox and Vincent D'Onofrio are, in fact, playing the same characters that they played in Netflix's Daredevil. Similarly, a future MCU movie or Disney+ show can continue Trish Walker's story after she's imprisoned in the Raft, portraying her as a regretful hero who seeks redemption as the costumed vigilante Hellcat or as a full-fledged villain who can no longer be saved from falling off the deep end. Over at the DCEU, Peacemaker turned the titular anti-hero from a murderous, backstabbing sociopath into a likable protagonist. Trish Walker can go down a similar path in a future MCU installment. After killing Jessica Jones' mom in front of her and refusing to show any compassion for her own sister, it would be challenging to redeem Trish Walker, so doubling down on her superiority complex and villainous behavior would seem like the most fitting choice.
With a troubled past, a deplorable personality, and a sentence at the Raft, Trish Walker seems like an ideal candidate for Valentina Allegra De De Fontaine's team. Whether it is the Thunderbolts or the Dark Avengers, Val's team could be a rehabilitation team for hated characters like John Walker and Trish Walker. As US Agent and Hellcat, they could transform into compelling anti-heroes or villains with understandable characterizations. Whatever the case, Trish Walker would have to be drastically different from the nuisance she was in Jessica Jones.