Since the pivotal events of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undergone significant transformations, notably the absence of a formal Avengers team. As the MCU continues to evolve, new heroes are emerging to fill the void left by the likes of Iron Man and Captain America. However, fans will have to wait until the end of Phase 6 for the next Avengers reunion, culminating in the epic films Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Let's explore who might be assembling for these monumental battles.
Who Will Be the New Avengers in the MCU?
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Wong
In the wake of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' departures, Benedict Wong's character, Wong, has become the linchpin of the MCU throughout Phases 4 and 5. His appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, among others, highlight his crucial role. Notably, his camaraderie with Patty Guggenheim's Madisynn in She-Hulk adds a light-hearted touch to his otherwise serious demeanor. As the new Sorcerer Supreme, Wong is tasked with defending the world from emerging threats, making him an essential figure in rallying the Avengers once more.
Shang-Chi
Simu Liu's Shang-Chi is a strong contender for the Avengers lineup in Phase 6. His summoning by Wong at the end of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, coupled with Destin Daniel Cretton's initial involvement in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, signals big plans for his character. With control over the mystical Ten Rings, Shang-Chi's role is set to be pivotal, especially given the hints of deeper mysteries surrounding these artifacts in the mid-credits scene of his film.
Even though Wong holds the title of Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange remains a vital asset to the Avengers. His expertise in magic and the multiverse is invaluable. Currently, Doctor Strange is assisting Charlize Theron's Clea in another universe to address the Incursion problem. While we might not see another Doctor Strange sequel before Doomsday, the tease in Multiverse of Madness suggests his role will be significant when the Avengers face Robert Downey, Jr.'s Doctor Doom.
Captain America
An Avengers team without Captain America feels incomplete. Although Chris Evans' Steve Rogers has retired, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson has taken up the mantle as the new Captain America. His journey, depicted in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and set to continue in Captain America: Brave New World, positions him as a key figure in assembling the new team. President Ross's proposal to form a government-sanctioned Avengers team, despite their eventual falling-out, underscores Sam's potential leadership role. The question remains whether Sam can inspire as Steve did, a theme likely to be explored in Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Don Cheadle's War Machine, who has been a supporting character in the Iron Man and Avengers films, is stepping into a more prominent role in the Multiverse Saga. His upcoming film, Armor Wars, will see him tackling the misuse of Tony Stark's technology. War Machine's military experience and firepower make him an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Iron Man in the Avengers.
Ironheart
Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams, known as Ironheart, is poised to become the MCU's new Iron Man. Her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and her upcoming series, Ironheart, showcase her intelligence and technological prowess. By the time Avengers: Doomsday arrives, Ironheart will be a well-established hero, crucial to the team's efforts against formidable foes like Doctor Doom.
Spider-Man
Tom Holland's Peter Parker remains a cornerstone of the MCU, despite his choice to embrace a more low-key existence as the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. His role in Doomsday and Secret Wars seems assured, although the complication of the world forgetting his identity poses a challenge. A theory suggests Wong might be the only one who remembers, potentially facilitating Spider-Man's return to the Avengers.
She-Hulk
While Mark Ruffalo's Hulk has been a mainstay of the Avengers, his focus has shifted post-Endgame, particularly with the introduction of his son Skaar. Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk, with her legal acumen, superhuman strength, and fourth-wall-breaking humor, is poised to become the new powerhouse of the team.
In the absence of a formal Avengers team, Captain Marvel has assembled her own in The Marvels. Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris's Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan are likely to play significant roles in the upcoming Avengers films. Captain Marvel's leadership qualities make her a strong candidate to lead the new Avengers, while Kamala's interest in the Young Avengers might not deter her from joining the main team.
How Many Avengers Is Too Many?
With the potential for over 20 heroes in Avengers: Doomsday, the team could grow significantly larger than the original six. This expansion mirrors Jonathan Hickman's Avengers run in the comics, which inspired the MCU's current direction. The MCU might follow the comics' approach of having multiple teams, such as the New York and West Coast Avengers, to manage such a large roster.
Hawkeye & Hawkguy
While Hulks and wizards are vital, the Avengers also need skilled archers. Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye, despite his recent recovery from an accident, is confident he'll return for Avengers: Doomsday. Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop, seen interacting with Kamala in The Marvels' post-credits scene, is likely to follow suit.
Thor
As one of the last remaining original Avengers, Thor, portrayed by Chris Hemsworth, is poised to continue his legacy in the new team. Thor: Love and Thunder's ending sets him up to defend Earth once more, possibly with his adopted daughter Love by his side. The 2015 Secret Wars comic suggests multiple Thors could appear in Avengers: Secret Wars, serving as Doom's peacekeepers.
Following Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's introduction of Jonathan Majors' Kang, the Ant-Man family remains central to the Multiverse Saga. The Quantum Realm's importance in reversing Thanos' destruction hints at its role in combating Doom. Paul Rudd's Ant-Man has already joined the Avengers, and now it's time for Evangeline Lilly's Wasp and Kathryn Newton's Stature to step up.
With the Guardians of the Galaxy undergoing changes, Chris Pratt's Star-Lord returning to Earth at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 suggests a potential role in Avengers: Doomsday. Whether he'll follow another leader or seek to lead remains to be seen.
Although Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther never officially joined the Avengers, his contributions were significant. Now, Letitia Wright's Shuri takes on the role, with Wakanda's resources crucial to the team's success against villains like Doom. Winston Duke's M'Baku, as the new monarch, adds another layer to Wakanda's involvement.
Note - this article was originally published on July 28, 2022 and updated on February 18, 2025 with the latest MCU developments.
