As the dust settles from Avengers: Endgame’s opening weekend, audiences everywhere will start looking forward to the next chapter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For over ten years the franchise has focused mostly on six main heroes and their subsequent adventures and tragedies. After the heavy losses of Endgame, it is time to rebuild the Avengers roster.
The comic book iterations of the Avengers was always a rotating team. New heroes came and went keeping the line-up fresh and engaging. Endgame not only re-centered known characters already as front runners but also introduced new possibilities moving forward. Here are the top 10 MCU characters who could become the next Avengers post-Endgame. (Warning: This article contains SPOILERS.)
Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange is one of the most powerful heroes in all of the MCU. This master of the mystic arts has gone up against beings of immense power and might and understands the delicate and complicated balance of the universe. Basically, Doctor Strange has seen some stuff.
He is one of the most invaluable candidates to become an Avenger. With half of the original six left and most of those being team leads, Doctor Strange would bring a balance of authority and wisdom to the team. Also, with so much of the universe bending that happened in Endgame, Doctor Strange is going to be incredibly helpful in the clean-up process. Look to him as a multi-dimensional janitor.
Black Panther
T’Challa has a lot on his plate. Not only is he a sacred warrior, but he is a political figurehead in charge of an entire nation. With so much on his plate, he might not have as much time to spend assisting the Avengers. That being said, he has played an instrumental role in both Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame. It only makes sense to utilize his affinity for leadership and combat skills. As mentioned before, Tony and Steve’s absence leaves a hole in the leadership. Obviously Doctor Strange has an aura of confidence and experience, but T’Challa is a king. His natural-born leadership is unmatched in the MCU. Calm, cool, and collected, T’Challa would keep the entire team afloat.
Captain Marvel
Who better to join the Avengers than the woman who inspired their creation? Carol Danvers is an unparalleled force, with enough power to take on Thanos one on one. After only two on-screen appearances so far, Captain Marvel has already cemented herself as a fan favorite and an integral part of the MCU.
It would only seem natural to have her join The Avengers. After Captain America, she’s the oldest Avenger. The only thing that might keep her from joining the team would be any responsibilities throughout the galaxy. As seen in Endgame, she has priorities to people around the universe. If she does join The Avengers, it will be in a similar role to that of Thor in the earlier films. Most of her solo films will most likely take place in space, while she still appears in team-up movies based on earth.
Spider-Man
Perhaps the most obvious pick would be Spider-Man. Peter Parker went through hell and back in these past two films. Any doubt surrounding his qualifications to fight alongside The Avengers went out the window after his death. The kid has risked everything to do the right thing no matter the cost. He has all the makings of an Avenger.
The only wrinkle in his qualifications might be the aftermath of Endgame. Although he willingly fought for the greater good, there are obviously going to be emotional scars moving forward. In the marketing materials for Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter is obviously struggling to continue being a hero. Seeing Tony’s death shook him to his core, and will be a significant struggle for him moving forward.
Cassie Lang As Stinger Or Stature
Endgame offered multiple new avenues for the MCU to explore in the future. One aspect that many brushed aside as nothing more than comedy relief and heart was Cassie Lang. Scott Lang’s daughter has held a sweet role in the Ant-Man films, but once the time jump occurred in Endgame, Cassie’s character became far more impactful. When Scott escapes from the Quantum Realm for the first time, he finds Cassie has aged into a teenager. As heartbreaking as this is, it also presented an opportunity for Cassie to soon step into a hero role like her dad. Looking closer at her comic book origins, Cassie eventually does just this. She dons a handful of titles including Stature and Stinger and becomes a founding member of the Young Avengers. Cassie is assumably at a similar age as Peter Parker. She easily could begin following in her dad’s footsteps and join the Avengers.
Lila Barton As Hawkeye
The opening scene of Endgame forced audiences to relive the snap all over again. Viewers watched as Clint Barton, during a family picnic, witnesses his entire family turn to dust. It’s a horrifying moment to see, but it does hold a hint at a possible future Avenger.
Before turning to dust, the film opens on Clint teaching his daughter how to shoot a bow and arrow. Apart from how adorable this moment is, it also holds a clue to the future of the Hawkeye moniker. Partway through, Clint calls his Lila, his daughter, Hawkeye as if its a pet name of sorts. In the comics, Hawkeye served as a title that was shared by multiple characters. There is a precedent for a female Hawkeye, as Kate Bishop takes on the mantle on the page. Perhaps Lila will serve as a Kate Bishop figure down the line, carrying on her father’s legacy similarly to Cassie.
Bucky
Bucky’s life has been one of the most tumultuous out of almost any character in the MCU. Not only was he best friends to Captain America, nearly died, and turned into a super soldier for Hydra, but Bucky also fought Thanos alongside the Avengers and died in the snap. Now, his best friend has aged to near death in the blink of an eye. Bucky needs a bit more stability, and The Avengers is the best group to do it. Bucky needs to find a new path. Now that his best friend is gone and, seemingly, the events of Civil War have been forgiven, Bucky is directionless. The Avengers would provide not only a physical home but a new metaphorical family to help him heal. Also, he would be tactically advantageous for this new band of heroes.
Valkyrie
Thor went through a bit of a change in Endgame, to say the least. The God of Thunder suffered from immense depression after his failure in Wakanda, and as a side effect let himself go. Although it offered some amazing comedic moments (Tony’s Big Lebowski reference was a riot), it was never fully overcome. Thor’s new appearance is going to be an uphill battle going into his new adventures with The Guardians of the Galaxy.
With Thor off on some space adventures, The Avengers could use a full-blown Asgardian warrior on their side. Who better than Valkyrie? Tessa Thompson’s warrior goddess as taken command of the New Asgardians, and is ready to take on global threats at a moments notice. She would be the perfect addition to this new team.
Morgan Stark
In Infinity War, audiences were teased at a possible future for Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Avengers: Endgame delivered, reuniting the two and giving them the settled life of their dreams. Emotionally speaking, the biggest change in the two’s life is the addition of their daughter Morgan Howard Stark. When audiences first meet Morgan in Endgame, she had gone into her parent’s belongings to find Pepper’s Iron Woman helmet. She appears out of a play tent wearing it. Although it was a cute visual gag, it also feels like a hint that maybe one day Morgan will take on the Iron mantle. Although there is no evidence in the comics, as Tony and Pepper never technically have children, there is a precedent for a female Iron Man character. Both Pepper Potts and Riri Williams follow in the footsteps of Tony Stark. Might Morgan eventually follow suit?
Sam Wilson As Captain America
The ending coda of Endgame offered the final appearance of Chris Evan’s Captain America. After successfully ending the threat of Thanos, Steve takes on the duty of returning the Infinity Stones to their proper times. Cap decides to return to his past, setting him off on an alternate timeline where he gets his happy ending with Peggy Carter. Eventually, he returned to the original timeline to say his final goodbye, and to present his shield to Sam Wilson. In the comics, Sam becomes the new Captain America. Although he hasn’t had a lot of time to grow in the MCU, maybe this new title will let him shine in a new role, and allow him to be a more significant presence in the Avengers.
