The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in the midst of bringing us The Multiverse Saga.
In fact, we’re pretty deep into the throes of this chapter now, after it kicked off three years ago with a further three to go.
Despite being halfway through the saga’s lifespan, the MCU hasn’t yet revealed a new Avengers line-up and given the events of Avengers: Endgame, it’s clearly going to have changed.
This reminder may hurt but both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers are gone - and given that, arguably, Iron Man and Captain America were the MCU’s leading stars, there’s a major gap that needs to be filled.
Advert
The MCU doesn’t currently have a ‘face’, not like Tony Stark once was. There’s no pin tying all of The Multiverse Saga’s projects together.
Obviously, with Avengers: Doomsday on the way in 2026, there is a plan. It’s just a plan we don’t know about.
In the meantime, fans are trying to guess what that plan might be, examining which existing characters might step up to the mark.
The MCU’s story continues in What if..?’s third and final season.
Peter Parker feels like an obvious contender, perhaps Thor and Wanda too.
Of course, it all depends on who execs think will pull in box office numbers and whose story it would make sense to have span across the MCU.
Reddit user AdditionalInitial727 theorised that Spidey and Doctor Strange may be our new leading duo, writing, “[They’ve] already built up a relationship of love and conflict. Both directly impacted by the multiverse. They can be a reverse Stark and Steve.”
They continued, “Strange is older but can be reckless trying to save the day. Pete is younger but has a stronger moral compass. Spider-Man is an easy billion dollar character and Strange’s brand has grown close to a billion in his sequel.”
The user put Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch as the second most likely pairing, followed by Thor and Loki.
“In all honesty, if Chadwick was still alive, the two leads should be T’Challa and Doctor Strange. Those two are the only ones I believe can lead a universe with Cap and Tony gone,” wrote BigReek99.
“Umm, is everyone here forgetting Sam Wilson is [the] new Cap?” themangajunkie added.
“100% this was supposed to be Strange and Black Panther, with Captain Marvel as the 'Thor' type character who'd come in as a heavy hitter later on,” agreed BetaRayPhil616.
“Personally, my big three for the next saga would be Sam Wilson’s Cap, Doctor Strange and Captain Marvel,” wrote Random_dud, and I’m starting to see a pattern develop.
I have to say, I’m surprised not to see Spidey mentioned much but it delights me to no end that Captain Marvel is getting some love.
I rewatched The Marvels just last night and my god, I adore those characters and am really hoping to see Carol and Kamala surface again soon.
The truth is, we don’t know exactly what Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has in store.
Perhaps in 2026, we’ll be watching Doctor Strange, Sam Wilson’s Cap, and Captain Marvel leading the team going, “I told you so”.
Topics: Marvel, TV And Film, MCU, Disney