The MCU Star You Might Have Missed In Disney's Live-Action Pinocchio

Contains spoilers for "Pinocchio"

The brand synergy at Disney continues to grow. To celebrate Disney+ Day, the entertainment giant released the live-action remake of the 1940 animated classic "Pinocchio." Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film reunites the "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" director with frequent collaborator Tom Hanks, who appears as woodcarver Geppetto. When he wishes upon a star, his puppet Pinocchio (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) comes to life. As he struggles to become a real boy, Pinocchio comes across a colorful cast of characters who help show him the true meaning of being "a real boy."

To give "Pinocchio" a modern update, Zemeckis has roped in a who's who of actors, spearheaded by Hanks. Joining the "Cast Away" actor for the live-action film is the Grammy-winning Cynthia Erivo, who steps into the wings of the wish-granting Blue Fairy. Disney fans will note that Luke Evans, who previously played Gaston in the "Beauty and the Beast" remake, can be spotted as the nefarious Coachman. Seeing as "Pinocchio" is as whimsical as any Disney tale, several non-human characters appear on the puppet's journey as well. Joseph Gordon-Levitt dons his Sunday best as the green Jiminy Cricket, while Honest John, the fox who toys with Pinocchio, is brought to life by none other than Keegan-Michael Key.

While it's not hard to spot these heavyweights in "Pinocchio," there's a chance you might have missed a new star from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though the appearance of this MCU character has so far been brief, we have them to thank for ostensibly saving the Multiverse from collapsing.

"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" introduces a slew of new characters to the MCU, including the sorcerer Sara (Sheila Atim), who serves as one of the film's saving graces despite only briefly appearing in the Multiversal bonanza. As Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), begins to take control of the Darkhold following her capture of Kamar-Taj, she slips into the Multiverse. Unbeknownst to the former Avenger, the sorcerer Sara is in the shadows. After taking Wong's (Benedict Wong) dagger, she sacrifices herself by stabbing the Darkhold in order to prevent Wanda's dreamwalking. Sara is ultimately burned alive, turning into ash. It remains to be seen if Sara will somehow return to the MCU, especially after her heroic sacrifice.

The MCU star now appears in Robert Zemeckis' "Pinocchio" in a less chaotic, almost nurturing role, marking Atim's second appearance in a Disney film. In the live-action remake, Atim plays Signora Vitelli, the woman who leads the town's children to school. Gepetto briefly engages in pleasantries with her before sending Pinocchio on his way to follow her. Although Pinocchio makes it to class just as the bell rings, he's kicked out of school by the headmaster shortly after because "school is for real children," so we don't see Signora Vitelli again.