Warning: This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.
Sam Wilson was urged to rebuild the new Avengers team inCaptain America: Brave New World, and while this didn’t occur in the Phase 5 movie, Anthony Mackie’s Star-Spangled-Man could still bring the newMCUsuperhero team together. Sam Wilson became an official member of the Avengers at the end of 2015’sAge of Ultron, but, now that he’s Captain America, it seems increasingly likely that he’ll be leading the new Avengers.Captain America: Brave New Worldbegan to lay the foundations for theAvengers to reform in the MCU.
Upon arriving at the White House inCaptain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson was asked byHarrison Ford’s President Rossto rebuild the Avengers under the watchful eye of the United States government. This didn’t come to fruition, andRoss' imprisonment in the Raft surely canceled his plans, but Sam Wilson may still follow through with the proposition. Luckily, in recent years, Marvel Studios has been setting up several MCU heroes asclear candidates to be recruited into the new Avengers teamby Captain America.
10Joaquín Torres’ Falcon
Danny Ramirez Debuted As Joaquín Torres In The Falcon & The Winter Soldier (2021)
Captain America: Brave New Worldalready revealed who Sam Wilson’s first recruit into the new Avengers team would be, as he all but promised Danny Ramirez’s Joaquín Torres a spot on the team following his recovery. Torres debuted as an Air Force intelligence officer inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and returned inBrave New Worldas the MCU’s new Falcon.He helped Captain America thwart the Leader’s attack at Celestial Island and investigate Samuel Sterns' laboratory at Camp Echo One, proving his salt as a powerful new superhero.
The MCU’s New Falcon Hid His Marvel Past During His Audition
Danny Ramirez will play Falcon in Captain America: Brave New World, but the actor previously played another important Marvel role years prior.
Joaquín Torres' Falcon became Captain America’s sidekick in Marvel Comics, but never joined the Avengers, instead being featured in the Champions team alongside the likes of Cyclops and Ironheart. Marvel Studios has been setting up theMCU’s Young Avengers team, but Joaquín Torres is likely already too old to take part in this group, which perfectly sets him up to join the mainstream Avengers team.He already has a strong bond with Sam Wilson, has experience in battle, and an ambition to be an even better superhero, so he’ll make a fantastic addition to the team’s roster.
9Scott Lang’s Ant-Man
Paul Rudd Debuted As Scott Lang In Ant-Man (2015)
It was brilliant to hear many mentions of Scott Lang’s Ant-Man inCaptain America: Brave New World, harking back to Sam Wilson’s friendship with “Tic-Tac” from previous MCU projects, leading back to their spar at Avengers HQ in 2015’sAnt-Man. Currently, Paul Rudd’sScott Lang has more knowledge of the greater MCU narrativethan most other heroes, thanks to the events ofAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.Even though Marvel has altered the trajectory of the Multiverse Saga since then, there’s no doubt some of this knowledge will still come in handy.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniaspotlighted Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror as the Multiverse Saga’s primary antagonist, but Majors' arrest and conviction forced Marvel to change its plans, which culminated in Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom.
Ant-Man has often joked about being an official member of the Avengers, even though this promotion has never actually become official. This could change inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, as Scott Lang is perfectly set up to be a key piece of the Avengers puzzle. Unfortunately, followingEvangeline Lilly’s retirement from acting, it’s unclear whether Hope van Dyne’s Wasp will be joining him, butAnt-Man proved crucial in defeating Thanos inAvengers: Endgame, and so will certainly be high on Sam Wilson’s list of possible Avengers recruits.
8Carol Danvers’ Captain Marvel
Brie Larson Debuted As Carol Danvers In Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel built strong relationships with the Avengers on Earth duringAvengers: Endgame’sfive-year-long Blip, which Sam Wilson was absent for.Sam’s only experience of Carol Danvers was during the Battle of Earth, during which he would have seen her prove her remarkable strength by taking on Thanos single-handedly. This will make Captain Marvel a clear candidate for Sam Wilson’s new Avengers team, particularly now that she has decided to remain on Earth after thetragic and game-changing ending of 2023’sThe Marvels.
Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers has had a hard time connecting with other heroes in the MCU, so it’s high time that she becomes a central part of a mainstream superhero team. This could have the subsequent effect of making Captain Marvel a more popular hero among the critical subsect of the MCU’s audience. Danvers will surely want to track downMonica Rambeau, who found herself trappedin an alternate, X-Men-inhabited reality, inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, and joining forces with a formidable new Avengers team might be her best shot.
7Shang-Chi
Simu Liu Debuted As Shang-Chi In Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)
Not many heroes in the MCU currently know about Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi and his use of the mystical ten rings, but Wong, Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers do. Theending ofShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsintroduced Shang-Chi to these pre-established heroes, which could in turn lead to Shang-Chi being recruited into the new Avengers team.Shang-Chi is one of the MCU’s most powerful and exciting new heroes, so while it’s a shame that he hasn’t returned since his 2021 debut, he’ll likely have a central role inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars.
Shang-Chi Marvel Future: Sequel, Avengers, MCU Cameos
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sets up Simu Liu’s superhero for an exciting MCU future. Here are the movies and shows he could return in.
Shang-Chi acquired the ten ringsfrom his father, Xu Wenwu, therealMandarin, in his Phase 4 solo movie, andShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsrevealed that the titular bracelets are sending a mysterious beacon out to locations unknown. Teaming up with the Avengers could allow Shang-Chi to figure out who this beacon is signaling, andhe could become one of the new team’s most formidable members, just as he was proven to be inWhat If…?season 3. It’s also possible Sam Wilson could recruit keen archer Katy.
6Shuri’s Black Panther
Letitia Wright Debuted As Shuri In Black Panther (2018)
T’Challa’s Black Panther joined forces with the Avengers inCivil War, Infinity WarandEndgame,and his sister, Shuri, could follow in his footsteps after becoming the new Black Panther in 2022’sWakanda Forever. Letitia Wright’s new Black Panther is expected to return inRyan Coogler’s upcomingBlack Panther 3, but this will presumably release afterAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, so could follow on from her becoming an Avenger.Captain America: Brave New Worldintroducing adamantium might have opened the door for Shuri and Sam Wilson to come together.
Shuri
Letitia Wright
Until now, the most valuable and sought-after resource in the MCU has been vibranium, which has been practically solely controlled by Wakanda. The debut ofadamantium inside the body of the Celestial Tiamutwill change this, and the distribution of more power and resources will surely get the attention of Shuri and the Wakandans.Sam Wilson also already has a strong connection to Wakanda, with his own Captain America costumes being made of vibranium, so it seems a sure bet for Shuri’s Black Panther to join the new Avengers team.
5Bruce Banner’s Hulk
Bruce Banner Debuted In The Incredible Hulk (2008)
What If…?season 3’s premiere established the close friendship betweenSam Wilson and Bruce Bannerin an alternate reality across the MCU’s multiverse. This could have been teasing the development of Sam and Bruce’s connection in the MCU proper, which could see Mark Ruffalo return as Smart Hulk, a key part of the new Avengers team.The Hulk is a founding Avenger, joining the team under SHIELD’s guidance in 2012 to battle Loki, so he might be one of the first heroes that Sam Wilson asks to join his new superhero team.
Why Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner Isn’t In Captain America: Brave New World
Despite past speculation that Mark Ruffalo would reprise his role of Bruce Banner in Captain America: Brave New World, Hulk is absent from the film.
Captain America: Brave New Worlddealt heavily with Bruce Banner’s past in the MCU, so it was surprising that Mark Ruffalo himself didn’t make an appearance. However,the emergence of the Red Hulk and the return of Samuel Sterns will surely have caught Bruce Banner’s attention, perhaps causing him to track down Sam Wilson’s Captain America rather than the other way round. It would be great to seeBanner’s cousin, Jennifer Walters' She-Hulk, also join the new Avengers team, but Tatiana Maslany’s MCU future hasn’t yet been confirmed.
4Peter Quill’s Star-Lord
Chris Pratt Debuted As Peter Quill In Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
Peter Quill may, at first glance, seem like an unusual choice for Sam Wilson’s new Avengers team, but the ending ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3might have perfectly set up the cosmic hero for this future.Star-Lord formed the Guardians of the Galaxy back in 2014, has experience fighting extraterrestrial villains such as Ronan the Accuser, Ego and the High Evolutionary, and proved himself to be a formidable hero inInfinity WarandEndgame.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3sawChris Pratt’s Peter Quill return to a life on Earth, priming him to join the Avengers.
Peter Quill leaving the Guardians of the Galaxy allowed Rocket Raccoon to step into the role of Captain. Rocket’s new Guardians of the Galaxy team comprises himself, Groot, Kraglin, Adam Warlock, Phyla and Blurp.
A tag at the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3confirmed thatChris Pratt would return to the MCUas the “Legendary Star-Lord.“Avengers: DoomsdayandSecret Warsis the perfect place for this to happen. One speed-bump is certainly that Peter Quill doesn’t actually have any superhuman abilities following the demise of his father, the Celestial Ego.Marvel could, of course, retcon this, especially afterWhat If…?season 2 showed the potential of a Celestial-powered Star-Lord, so this could make Peter Quill an incredibly powerful member of the new Avengers team.
3Rhodey’s War Machine
James “Rhodey” Rhodes Debuted In Iron Man (2008)
It’s been troubling to seeMarvel Studios' development ofArmor Wars, which is set to be Don Cheadle’s first solo MCU movie as James “Rhodey” Rhodes' War Machine, move so slowly. There is speculation that the project could even be canceled completely, which leaves War Machine’s future in the MCU very uncertain, even after the game-changing events ofSecret Invasion.WithoutArmor Warson the horizon soon, it would be great to see War Machine continue Iron Man’s legacy as a new armored Avenger, and his friendship with Sam Wilson makes this all the more likely.
Don Cheadle himself has recently thrown doubt onArmor Wars’development.
Don Cheadle made a cameo appearance as Rhodey inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, supporting Sam Wilson when he donated Captain America’s shield to the Smithsonian.Secret Invasionteased that this might not have been Rhodey at all, but Marvel Studios seems to be completely ignoring the low-rated Phase 5 series, withThe MarvelsandCaptain America: Brave New Worldnot mentioning it at all.Rhodey’s War Machinecould return as a steadfast hero in Captain America’s new Avengers team, which might be the best future for Don Cheadle in the MCU.
2Peter Parker’s Spider-Man
Tom Holland Debuted As Peter Parker In Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Spider-Man: No Way Homemight have thrownPeter Parker’s future as an Avengerinto jeopardy, as everyone in the world forgot who Parker is. However,Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessconfirmed that everyone still remembers Parker’s superhero alter ego, Spider-Man, so Sam Wilson might track down the anonymous wall-crawler to recruit him into the new Avengers team.Tom Holland has already been confirmed to be taking part inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, so it’s all but confirmed he’ll be central to the new Avengers.
Since his debut in 2016’sCaptain America: Civil War, Peter Parker has become a mature, independent and well-rounded superhero, especially after he saved the entire universe and lost everything inNo Way Home.Tom Holland has been confirmed to be appearing in a new MCU trilogy, which means he’ll continue to be a cornerstone hero, making regular appearances. Sam Wilson would be lucky to recruit Spider-Man into his new Avengers team, and this could begin to reintroduce Peter Parker to his superhero peers followingDoctor Strange’s memory wipe spell.
1Matt Murdock’s Daredevil
Charlie Cox Debuted As Matt Murdock In Daredevil Season 1 (2015)
Although he is yet to be introduced to many pre-established heroes in the MCU, Matt Murdock’sDaredevil is very quickly becoming one of the most frequentand consistent vigilantes in New York City.Daredevil: Born Againwill make this even more prevalent, asMurdock will be suiting up as the Man Without Fear yet again to take on Wilson Fisk’s Kingpin, who has new political aspirations. This massive storyline could change the shape of the MCU forever, which will surely grab the attention of Sam Wilson’s Captain America.
DaredevilSeason 1
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DaredevilSeason 2
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DaredevilSeason 3
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Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdockhas already met the likes of She-Hulk, Spider-Man and Echo, and will establish himself as one of New York’s most prevalent heroes even further inDaredevil: Born Again. So far,Daredevil has had his place on the small-screen, butAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Warscould change this, cementing the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen as one of the most exciting heroes in the MCU. Daredevil would make a great addition to Sam Wilson’s new team afterCaptain America: Brave New World, especially since he’ll surely become a world-renowned hero inBorn Again.
