Nick Fury with the original Avengers

The Marvel Cinematic Universe failed to answer the most important question regarding Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars during its San Diego Comic-Con 2024 panel. Marvel Studios has some of their most electrifying announcements go down in Hall H. Known for laying out their multi-year plan, the last few years were a bit quieter in terms of their announcements, however. The decision to slow down their project production may stem from the string of divisive projects post-Avengers: Endgame. However, Kevin Feige and his team are ready to step on the gas after the Easter egg-laden Deadpool & Wolverine‘s release.

Feige talked about the next three films in MCU’s Multiverse Saga — Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Fantastic Four. That being said, arguably the biggest tidbits of information from Marvel Studios’ Hall H panel were about the franchise’s next culminating events. After so many rumors, Feige finally confirmed that Joe and Anthony Russo will return to direct the Multiverse Saga-cappers, which would be Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Additionally, Robert Downey Jr. is also coming back to play Dr. Doom. Amid all of these, Marvel Studios still didn’t share the most important detail about the upcoming films.

The MCU Still Doesn’t Have A Proper Avengers Team

Where Are The Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?

Captain America in front of The Avengers in Avengers: Endgame

Assuming that Marvel Studios sticks to their recent announcement, Downey’s Doctor Doom will be Kang’s replacement as the Multiverse Saga’s big bad. That’s great that the casting officially settles the matter, but while the franchise now has its new overall villain, it still hasn’t confirmed its new Avengers roster. The end of the Infinity Saga via Avengers: Endgame effectively wrapped up the inaugural Earth’s Mightiest Heroes’ stint as the MCU’s premier superhero team. Since then, the question of who can replace them has been a favorite topic of conversation among fans — something that Marvel Studios remains cagey about.

Who Should Be On The New Avengers Team?

There Is No Scarcity Of Available Candidates For The New Avengers

Sam Wilson giving his first speech as Captain America at the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's finale

On the heels of Avengers: Endgame, there were some clear candidates to step up and become the new faces of the franchise. Considering the substantial role that he played at the end of the Infinity Saga, Doctor Strange led the roster. Pre-WandaVision Scarlet Witch, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Sam Wilson’s new Captain America would also have fit into the roster. All of them remain viable candidates for the second generation of the MCU Avengers, but it’s safe to say that there will be some fresh faces there as well — heroes who have just been introduced in the Multiverse Saga.

Unlike the original 6 Avengers who had time to become a team, however, their successor doesn’t have the same luxury. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars will subject the MCU heroes to a new, and perhaps bigger, fight than what some of them experienced in Avengers: Endgame. However, Marvel Studios must establish a clear line-up for the next Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Otherwise, they run the risk of making the Avengers obsolete, since it can be just a blanket title for all franchise heroes. This shouldn’t be the case, especially since there are other existing micro-teams in the MCU.