Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) would be handy.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) would be handy.
It's not too early to start dreaming up the next generation of Avengers.
There are plenty of reasons to think the next two Avengers movies (April's Avengers: Infinity War and 2019's still untitled sequel) will be the last ride for the original cinematic crew of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. There's the Infinity Gauntlet-wielding threat of Thanos (Josh Brolin) and the even more permanent end of contract obligations for much of the talent involved. There's also the looming feeling from those Infinity War trailers that not every Avenger is going to make it out of this war alive.
What we do know is that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) will go on, with sequels to current hits and new franchises beginning. What we don't know is if the MCU film franchises that will go on after the Infinity events will interconnect to form a new team of Avengers in the future.
We're at the tail-end of a movie moment 10 years in the making with Infinity War. Does Marvel Studios have what it needs to do something like this again?
Here's a list of heroes we believe could form the next roster of Avengers for Marvel Studios.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) would be handy.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch)
The Sorcerer Supreme would be a powerful addition to a new squad. And while we're sure Thanos will eventually get his hands on the Time Stone inside Doctor Strange's Eye of Agamotto amulet, that won't prevent the doctor from continuing to be a master of the mystic arts. Doctor Strange appeared in bad shape in the last Avengers trailer after meeting Iron Man and the Hulk (no word if he was instantly given official Avengers status in that meetup), but we can assume he makes it out of the Infinity War alive if only because we have to see him take on Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) in the sequel to Doctor Strange.
Ant-Man (Paul Rudd)
Humour will always be a key component to the MCU and outside Robert Downey jnr's Iron Man, there's no funnier potential Avenger than Ant-Man. His super powers of shrinking down to insect size and becoming super strong in the process and turning into a giant are also things a super team could use. Ant-Man gets a sequel with this July's Ant-Man and the Wasp so we know he's not riding off into the sunset yet.
Captain Marvel (Brie Larson)
The MCU's first female superhero to get her own movie franchise (coming in March 2019) is the ideal candidate to be a part of the next generation of Avengers though Captain Marvel will take place in the 90s and we'll have to wait and see if she makes it to the MCU's present day.
After leading one of the biggest superhero movies of all time, the Black Panther is the prime candidate to lead a new Avengers team in the MCU. If more Avengers films are made, the Black Panther's presence is a must.
Shuri (Letitia Wright)
Wherever the Black Panther is, his sister Shuri won't be far behind, and her science abilities make her a valuable asset. Some fans want Shuri to become Iron Heart (the Riri Williams version of Iron Man from the comics), while others want to see if she becomes a Black Panther herself.
Tom Holland in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Spider-Man (Tom Holland)
Marvel Studios and Sony negotiated some behind-the-scenes movie magic to make Spider-Man a part of the MCU in time for Avengers: Infinity War. There will be sequels to the Marvel Studios/Sony co-produced Spider-Man: Homecoming, but further Avengers appearances post-Infinity may have to be renegotiated between the two studios. Still, Spider-Man is one of Marvel's greats and was an Avenger in the comics. Sony would be wise to make sure Spider-Man is a part of any new Avengers team.
The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)
Now that he's no longer a brainwashed assassin, the former Captain America sidekick is for sure a part of the MCU's future, especially given the unprecedented length of Stan's nine-picture deal with Marvel Studios. Stan could even become Captain America himself if something tragic happens to the character in Infinity War, which is possible given what we've seen in trailers (Captain America confronting Thanos, Iron Man crying over someone we can't see) and the fact that Chris Evans has hinted his time as Captain America could be up. Stan has made four MCU appearances so far (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther and the upcoming Infinity War). Assuming he's in the Infinity sequel, that's five films. That leaves four more.
