Who Should Join Sam Wilson's New Avengers Team in 'Doomsday'?

In the climactic scene of Captain America: Brave New World, we lastly got a hint about The Avengers making their comeback in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, something fans have eagerly anticipated for years. It’s been six years since Avengers: Endgame and over a decade since Avengers: Age of Ultron foreshadowed a new lineup of superheroes. Since the Thunderbolts trailer showed that the Avengers had not yet formed by the events of that movie, it seems they won’t truly unite until Avengers: Doomsday, the first installment of the grand finale to the Multiverse Saga.

*Note: The Thunderbolts is a team of supervillains in the Marvel Universe who often pose as heroes. However, in the upcoming film, they are expected to be an early version of the Avengers.

In the five-hour live broadcast of “Avengers: Doomsday,” a significant portion of the cast was unveiled, yet Marvel Studios clarified that not the entire cast has been disclosed as of now. Some prominent figures were in attendance, while others with high profiles were missing. This implies there’s still room for more stars to join the Avengers. Here are our top choices for who could be part of Sam Wilson’s New Avengers team, including some characters already confirmed for the film, along with our suggested additions.

Sam Wilson / Captain America

In essence, Sam Wilson/Captain America is undeniably a part of the Avengers squad. Although the comics’ Avengers could have existed without Captain America initially, it was Steve Rogers’ discovery in Avengers #4 that truly shaped the team into its iconic form. Given that the Avengers seem incomplete without Captain America, it’s logical for Marvel Studios to establish Sam Wilson as the new head of the Avengers.

Stepping into the shoes of a movie critic, I find myself marveling at the strategic advantage Sam Wilson possesses within the Marvel Cinematic Universe – his extensive network of connections. Having served alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes during the timeframe spanning Avengers: Age of Ultron and Captain America: Civil War, engaging in the epic battle of Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War, and fighting valiantly during the Battle of Earth in Avengers: Endgame, Sam Wilson has forged deep bonds with heroes across the MCU. As Captain America, his charisma and camaraderie have earned him the loyalty and respect of many fellow heroes, making him an exceptional leader within this dynamic universe.

Joaquin Torres / The Falcon

Besides Sam Wilson, it appears that Joaquin Torres, also known as The Falcon, is the only other individual who seems to have definitively joined this upcoming team of Avengers. First appearing in “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” Torres took on the mantle of the Falcon in “Captain America: Brave New World.” Actor Danny Ramirez quickly captured fans’ hearts, demonstrating he was more than capable as a valued team member. With Sam Wilson hinting that Torres will need a new suit for joining the Avengers, it seems likely that Torres is indeed a part of this team.

The problem with having Torres on the Avengers is that, given Sam Wilson’s Captain America has wings too, it seems unnecessary to have two winged heroes in the same group. However, Ramirez delivers a compelling performance as Torres, which captivates audiences and adds an enjoyable dynamic among teammates. Additionally, his computer skills make him an essential tech expert for the team.

Here’s another option: The issue with Torres joining the Avengers is that it seems redundant to have two winged heroes on the team since Sam Wilson’s Captain America also has wings. Yet, Ramirez plays Torres in a way that keeps viewers engaged and creates lively interactions between teammates. Furthermore, his computer abilities make him an important asset as a tech expert for the group.

Thor

In the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday, it was anticipated that the original Avenger, Thor, would be among the cast. However, his presence within the official Avengers team took many by surprise due to a couple of reasons.

Firstly, the conclusion of Thor: Love and Thunder depicted him in another galaxy with his adopted daughter, Love, which could pose difficulties for Earth’s Mightiest heroes to reach him (although New Asgard may have a means to contact him). Secondly, the Marvel Cinematic Universe seemed to imply that the revamped Avengers lineup would feature new characters not previously associated with the team, making Thor’s inclusion intriguing.

In their roles as cosmic guardians alongside Thor’s daughter, Love, it’s expected that any danger posed by Doctor Doom may pull Thor back to Earth. It’s intriguing to speculate how Thor will adapt to Sam Wilson leading the Avengers, since they didn’t interact in previous MCU installments. They fought together in both “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame,” and it’s possible they met at the party in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” However, their interactions will be interesting to watch as Thor navigates following orders on a new Avengers team, being the sole original member. Fans are also eagerly anticipating Thor’s reunion with his brother Loki, even if he appears as a variant in this continuity.

Shang-Chi

It appears that Shang-Chi could join the ranks of the Avengers, or at least become affiliated with the group, since the end credits of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings depict him communicating with Wong, Captain Marvel, and Bruce Banner. These interactions seem to indicate that he has been integrated into a larger universe. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which is one of the standout stories in the Multiverse Saga, often gets underappreciated. Given that his solo film was released five years after Avengers: Doomsday, it’s high time to reintroduce him as a main character. Fortunately, he has been confirmed to be part of an upcoming Marvel ensemble, possibly as one of the new Avengers.

In a new lineup of the Avengers team, Shang-Chi assumes several vital positions. With his expertise in martial arts, he contributes to exciting hand-to-hand battle scenes and fills the gap left by Black Widow. Moreover, he wields the mystical ten rings, granting him a potent weapon comparable to Thor’s Mjolnir. In this revamped team, Shang-Chi can be seen as the magical force, given that Doctor Strange is presumably exploring other dimensions, and Wong carries a heavier burden as the Sorcerer Supreme. It seems Marvel Studios may have long envisioned Shang-Chi as an Avenger, only to hold off on the realization until now.

Shuri / Black Panther

In the comic books, Black Panther is a key figure in the Avengers squad, but unfortunately, Chadwick Boseman’s character T’Challa, who fought alongside the Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), never officially became a team member before Boseman’s passing. Now that Shuri has assumed the mantle of Black Panther, she appears to be an excellent choice for joining Sam Wilson’s upcoming team. Unlike her brother, who had the responsibility of ruling Wakanda, Shuri has greater freedom to act independently.

With Sam Wilson receiving his Captain America suit from the people of Wakanda, it’s reasonable to assume he’s developed a strong professional bond with Shuri. Not only is Shuri an exceptional fighter like Black Panther, but her brilliant intellect, one of the sharpest minds in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, would make her an invaluable addition to the Avengers. She can not only create innovative outfits and equipment for the team, but also employ her intelligence to uncover effective strategies against these multiversal intrusions. Given that Letitia Wright (Shuri), Winston Duke (M’Baku), and Tenoch Huerta Mejía (Namor) are all confirmed to appear in “Avengers: Doomsday”, it appears the Wakandans will play a significant role.

Scott Lang / Ant-Man

In the movie Captain America: Brave New World, Ant-Man was mentioned on two occasions. Given Scott Lang’s prior relationship with Sam Wilson, it seems likely that he could make an appearance. Although Scott Lang is not officially an Avenger, his public image suggests one, as depicted in the movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. With a history of working alongside various Avengers teams, both in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame, he brings a pre-existing background to the table.

Since Ant-Man’s standalone movies seem to have concluded, it seems wise to continue featuring Scott Lang prominently within the Avengers team as a consistent element in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This also aligns with Ant-Man, whether that’s Hank Pym or another character, being an original member of the team in the comics. However, it might be time for Ant-Man to play a secondary role. Although Paul Rudd has been confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, his character could meet an early demise, similar to Loki at the start of Avengers: Infinity War. This mirrors the death of Ant-Man in the comics and could pave the way for his significant other to step into the spotlight.

Hope Van Dyne / The Wasp

In essence, although both The Wasp and Ant-Man share some similarities in their powers, akin to Captain America and Falcon, there are notable differences. Firstly, in the Marvel Comics, the original Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne versions of The Wasp were founding members of the Avengers, suggesting that the MCU’s Avengers team should ideally include both characters. Secondly, Ant-Man’s ability to transform into Giant-Man sets him apart from The Wasp, offering unique characteristics for each character. If Marvel were to choose an insect-themed hero with size-altering powers for their Avengers lineup, we firmly believe that The Wasp would be the optimal choice.

In the Marvel Universe, it would be intriguing to expand Hope Van Dyne’s character beyond her family ties and connection with Scott Lang, by giving her an opportunity to join the Avengers independently. Cultivating relationships and unique dynamics with other Marvel heroes could provide a refreshing perspective for Hope. Her impressive combat skills and intellectual prowess, consistently showcased in the MCU, make her an indispensable addition to the team from both a fighting and strategic standpoint.

Jennifer Walters / She-Hulk

Instead of bringing back Bruce Banner/The Hulk who might be away from Earth with his son Skaar (as seen in Captain America: Brave New World), Sam Wilson could instead invite Bruce’s cousin, Jennifer Walters/She-Hulk, to join the revamped Avengers team. Although Jennifer initially resisted becoming a superhero in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, her series finale hinted that she might be open to using her hero persona for good.

Jennifer Walters offers a relatable point of view as an ordinary individual, even with her newfound abilities. In the midst of her bustling life in Los Angeles, she juggles work and social commitments, much like many of us do. Her inclusion within the Avengers makes the team more grounded, and her witty, observational, and sarcastic remarks provide the humor that keeps the team from becoming too somber. From a narrative standpoint, the Hulk’s presence on the team is always advantageous. The absence of She-Hulk in Avengers: Doomsday was conspicuous, but hopefully, this will be rectified soon.

Captain Marvel

Since Captain Marvel / Carol Danvers has now made her home in New Orleans, where Sam Wilson’s family resides, it seems only logical for Captain Marvel to become an Avenger. A significant letdown in Avengers: Endgame was the limited involvement of Captain Marvel with her fellow Avengers, denying viewers the opportunity to witness her growth and forge engaging relationships with other superheroes.

In the expansive Marvel Universe, Carol Danvers stands out as a formidable figure, providing the strength the Avengers require to confront challenges, especially formidable adversaries like Doctor Doom. Unfortunately, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been lacking in central characters due to the original planned lineup consisting of Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. The untimely death of Boseman and the complex rights issues surrounding Spider-Man have left two of these heroes unavailable, and it seems as though the sexism faced by Larson and the underperformance of The Marvels might have caused a reevaluation of Captain Marvel. Given Carol Danvers’ prominence in the comics as one of the most renowned Avengers, this could be an opportunity for the MCU to recognize her significance.

James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine

Among all the Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU) characters, Rhodey, more commonly known as War Machine, has generally found himself in less advantageous positions. He wasn’t made an Avenger until the closing stages of Avengers: Age of Ultron and the opening act of Captain America: Civil War. Unfortunately, he missed out on the initial action sequence. While films like Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame offered him more opportunities, he has yet to have his shining moment. The series Secret Invasion disclosed that a Skrull had taken his place, and the development of his solo project, Armor Wars, has been postponed for now.

As a die-hard comic book fan, I’ve got to say it: Now that Tony Stark’s Iron Man is out of the picture, it’s high time War Machine stepped up as the new armored Avenger. I’ve seen Sam Wilson and James Rhodes work together before, so I reckon they’d make a great team once again. Their dynamic is quite distinct from Captain America and Iron Man, offering a fresh perspective on this iconic group.

In the comics, there’s even some romantic history between War Machine and Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers). It’d be fascinating to see how that relationship could evolve within the current Avengers lineup, adding depth in a way similar to Scarlet Witch and Vision.

2025-04-21 05:05

Who Should Join Sam Wilson’s New Avengers Team in ‘Doomsday’?