Who Are Marvel's New Avengers in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars?

The MCU has undergone significant changes since Avengers: Endgame, most notably the absence of an active Avengers team. While new heroes are emerging to fill the void left by Iron Man and Captain America, a full-fledged Avengers movie remains some time away. Even Captain America: Brave New World avoids a complete reunion of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

A proper Avengers team-up is only slated for Phase 6, with the back-to-back releases of Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). So, who will answer the call? Let's examine the likely candidates for Phase 6's Avengers roster.

The Next Generation of Avengers

15 ImagesWong

Following Tony Stark and Steve Rogers' departures, Benedict Wong's Wong has become a pivotal figure in Phases 4 and 5, acting as a unifying force within the MCU. His appearances across numerous post-Endgame projects, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, solidify his importance. His comedic dynamic with Madisynn in She-Hulk further enhances his appeal.

With his ascension to Sorcerer Supreme, Wong's proactive role in defending Earth against emerging threats is established. His presence in the next Avengers assembly is virtually assured.

Shang-Chi

Simu Liu's Shang-Chi's inclusion in Phase 6's Avengers is highly probable. His summoning by Wong in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings strongly suggests this. Furthermore, Destin Daniel Cretton's initial involvement with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (before directorial changes) points towards significant plans for Shang-Chi's future.

His mastery of the Ten Rings makes him a valuable asset to the team. The mid-credits scene in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hints at a larger mystery surrounding these artifacts, potentially playing a role in Avengers: Doomsday.

Doctor Strange

While Wong is now Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange's continued importance in Phase 6's Avengers is undeniable. His veteran status and expertise in magic and the multiverse make him an invaluable asset.

Currently assisting Clea (Charlize Theron) in another universe with the Incursion problem, another Doctor Strange solo film before Doomsday seems unlikely, but the Multiverse of Madness tease suggests a significant role in the upcoming Avengers films, particularly against Doctor Doom.

Captain America

An Avengers roster without Captain America is incomplete. Though Chris Evans' Steve Rogers has retired, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson has taken up the mantle. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier depicted Sam's reluctant acceptance of the role, and Captain America: Brave New World will showcase his evolution.

Brave New World suggests Sam will play a crucial role in reassembling the Avengers, potentially even leading the team. Harrison Ford's President Ross proposes a government-sanctioned Avengers team, setting up a potential conflict and Sam's ultimate embrace of leadership. His ability to fill Steve Rogers' shoes will likely be a central theme in Doomsday and Secret Wars.

War Machine

Don Cheadle's War Machine, previously a supporting character, is poised for a more prominent role in the Multiverse Saga. Armor Wars, focusing on Rhodey preventing Tony Stark's technology from falling into the wrong hands, builds upon Secret Invasion, which revealed Rhodey's Skrull impersonation.

Before Armor Wars, War Machine's inclusion in the Avengers seems likely, filling the void left by Iron Man. His military experience and firepower are significant assets.

Ironheart

Dominique Thorne's Riri Williams is a strong contender for the MCU's new Iron Man. Her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, showcasing her armor creation and intellect, sets the stage for her solo series, Ironheart.

By Avengers: Doomsday, Ironheart should be a fully established hero, ready to join Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Her intelligence will be particularly valuable against powerful villains like Doctor Doom.

Spider-Man

Tom Holland's Spider-Man remains a flagship MCU hero, despite his decision to relinquish his public identity. His involvement in Doomsday and Secret Wars seems probable, barring any further conflicts between Marvel Studios and Sony.

The world's amnesia regarding Spider-Man's identity presents a challenge. However, Wong's final words to Strange in No Way Home ("Leave me out of it") suggest a possibility that Wong is the only one who still knows Spider-Man's identity, providing a potential pathway for his return.

She-Hulk

While Mark Ruffalo's Hulk remains a significant figure, his post-Endgame appearances suggest a more supporting role. Furthermore, the introduction of Skaar adds another layer to his storyline.

Tatiana Maslany's She-Hulk is emerging as a powerful new Avenger. Her intelligence, strength, and comedic timing make her a strong addition.

The Marvels

Brie Larson's Captain Marvel, Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau, and Iman Vellani's Kamala Khan, having formed a team in The Marvels, are likely to play significant roles in Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Captain Marvel's leadership qualities make her a strong contender for leading the new Avengers. Monica's mysterious situation will likely be a key plot point leading up to Secret Wars. Kamala, while potentially focused on the Young Avengers, is also likely to join the main Avengers team.

Team Size and Structure

The potential Avengers roster for Doomsday could be significantly larger than the original six. The comics have featured expansive Avengers teams, often with smaller groups tackling individual threats or multiple co-existing teams (e.g., West Coast Avengers). The MCU may adopt a similar approach.

Hawkeye & Kate Bishop

The Avengers need skilled archers. Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye, despite a recent accident, may return for Doomsday. Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop, having been approached by Kamala in The Marvels, is also a likely candidate.

Thor

Thor, potentially the last remaining original Avenger, is well-positioned to continue his role. Thor: Love and Thunder leaves him ready to defend Earth, possibly alongside Love. Avengers: Secret Wars may even feature multiple Thors, mirroring the Thor Corps from the 2015 comic.

The Ant-Man Family

Given Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's introduction of Kang, the Ant-Man family's importance in Doomsday is likely, even if Kang isn't the primary antagonist. The Quantum Realm's significance suggests their continued involvement.

Star-Lord

The Guardians of the Galaxy's role in the next Avengers films is uncertain, but Star-Lord's return to Earth in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 suggests a potential involvement in Doomsday. His leadership style and potential conflict with other Avengers leaders will be interesting to see.

Black Panther

Wakanda's resources and technology make it a valuable asset to the Avengers. With Shuri now as Black Panther, and M'Baku as king, their roles in the new Avengers team will be significant.

Who leads the new Avengers? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts!

Who should lead the new Avengers team in Avengers: Doomsday?

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For more on the MCU's future, explore the possibility of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom and review all upcoming Marvel movies and series.

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