Marvel Unveils New Avengers for Doomsday and Secret Wars

Since the monumental events of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has undergone significant transformations, including the dissolution of the original Avengers team. As Iron Man and Captain America have stepped away, new heroes are emerging to fill their shoes, but fans will have to wait until the end of Phase 6 for a full Avengers reunion. Even Captain America: Brave New World falls short of assembling Earth's Mightiest Heroes again. It's not until Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 and Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027 that we'll see the iconic team back in action. So, who might be part of this new Avengers lineup? Here's a look at the likely candidates for the Phase 6 roster.

Who Will Be the New Avengers in the MCU?

15 ImagesWong

In the wake of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' departure, Benedict Wong's character, Wong, has become the connective tissue of the MCU during Phases 4 and 5. His presence in projects like Spider-Man: No Way Home, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, not to mention his humorous rapport with Patty Guggenheim's Madisynn in She-Hulk, underscores his importance. As the new Sorcerer Supreme, Wong's role is to proactively safeguard the world against new threats. When the Avengers reunite, Wong will undoubtedly be instrumental in bringing the team together.

Shang-Chi

Simu Liu's Shang-Chi is a shoo-in for the Avengers in Phase 6, especially after being summoned by Wong at the end of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The involvement of director Destin Daniel Cretton in the initially planned Avengers: The Kang Dynasty suggests big plans for Shang-Chi. With his mastery over the mystical Ten Rings, Shang-Chi is a vital asset, and the mid-credits scene in his movie hints at a larger mystery that may unfold in Avengers: Doomsday.

Despite Wong's ascension to Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange remains a key figure in the Avengers' future. His experience with magic and the multiverse is indispensable. Currently assisting Charlize Theron's Clea in another universe to address the Incursion threat, Doctor Strange's storyline from Multiverse of Madness is set to culminate in the battle against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom in Doomsday.

Captain America

No Avengers team feels complete without Captain America. While Chris Evans' Steve Rogers retired, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson has taken up the mantle. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showcased Sam's journey to accepting this role, and Captain America: Brave New World will further explore his evolution. Sam's interaction with Harrison Ford's President Ross, who proposes a government-sanctioned Avengers team, sets the stage for Sam to lead the new Avengers, striving to live up to Steve's legacy.

Don Cheadle's War Machine is stepping into a more prominent role in the Multiverse Saga. His upcoming solo venture, Armor Wars, will focus on preventing Tony Stark's tech from falling into the wrong hands, building on his narrative from Secret Invasion. War Machine's military experience and firepower make him a natural fit to fill the void left by Iron Man in the Avengers.

Ironheart

Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams is poised to become the MCU's new Iron Man. After her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where she created her own armor and aided Shuri, Riri will headline her own series, Ironheart, in 2025. By the time Avengers: Doomsday arrives, Ironheart will be a fully established hero, ready to contribute her intellect and technology to the team, especially crucial against a formidable foe like Doctor Doom.

Spider-Man

Tom Holland's Peter Parker remains a pivotal MCU hero, despite choosing to return to being a Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. His involvement in Doomsday and Secret Wars seems inevitable, though the complication of the world forgetting his identity from No Way Home poses a challenge. However, some fans speculate that Wong might still remember Peter's secret, offering a potential way to reintegrate Spider-Man into the Avengers.

She-Hulk

While Mark Ruffalo's Hulk has been a mainstay in the Avengers, his role seems to be shifting to more of a supporting one. Enter Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk, who combines the strength of her cousin with the intellect of a top attorney and a unique ability to break the fourth wall. She-Hulk is set to become the new powerhouse on the team.

Despite the current absence of an Avengers team, Captain Marvel formed her own in The Marvels. Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan are likely to play significant roles in Doomsday and Secret Wars. Captain Marvel is a strong contender to lead the new Avengers, while Kamala's interest in forming the Young Avengers might not stop her from joining Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

How Many Avengers Is Too Many?

With the potential for over 20 heroes in Avengers: Doomsday, the question arises: can the movie support such a large cast? The comics, particularly Jonathan Hickman's expansive Avengers run, have successfully managed large rosters and multiple teams. Perhaps the MCU could follow suit, introducing different Avengers teams to manage various threats effectively.

Hawkeye & Hawkguy

Every Avengers team needs skilled archers, and the MCU has two: Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop. Despite Renner's recent recovery from a serious accident, he's confident about returning in Avengers: Doomsday. Kate, last seen being approached by Kamala in The Marvels, is also likely to join the fray.

Thor

As one of the last original Avengers still active, Chris Hemsworth's Thor is a natural fit for the new team. Thor: Love and Thunder leaves him ready to defend Earth, possibly alongside his adopted daughter, Love. The 2015 Secret Wars comic featured a Thor Corps, hinting at multiple Thors in the upcoming Secret Wars movie.

Given their pivotal role in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, the Ant-Man family is expected to play a significant part in Avengers: Doomsday. The Quantum Realm's importance in the Multiverse Saga, from reversing Thanos' snap to potentially being a tool for Doom's destruction, underscores their relevance. It's time for Wasp and Stature to join Ant-Man as Avengers.

While the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy remains uncertain, Chris Pratt's Star-Lord is poised to return to Earth in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, aligning with the buildup to Avengers: Doomsday. His potential involvement with the Avengers raises questions about his ability to follow another leader or if he'll aim to lead himself.

Though Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther never officially joined the Avengers, his contributions were invaluable. With Letitia Wright's Shuri now donning the suit, Wakanda's resources and technology remain crucial for the Avengers' battle against formidable foes like Doctor Doom. Winston Duke's M'Baku, as the new monarch, also adds an intriguing dynamic to the team's future.

Note - this article was originally published on July 28, 2022 and updated on February 18, 2025 with the latest MCU developments.