Avengers 5 will have to fill out its roster with some heavy hitters, and luckily, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has plenty of options waiting in the wings. Set to release in 2026, the fifth entry in the hallowed crossover film series will be the first of its kind in 7 years. While details regarding the upcoming Avengers 5 are still sparse, the franchise will doubtlessly need to replenish the Avengers’ limited roster following the deaths and retirements of big names like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow.

Fortunately, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has no shortage of powerful heroes that have yet to be officially named an Avenger. Some of these characters have had cinematic appearances already, simply waiting on their official invitation to the Earth’s mightiest heroes. Others will be introduced somewhere further down the line in the upcoming slate of MCU movies still yet-to-be released, but will likely soon be incorporated into the crossover event afterward.

10

Viv

Vision’s daughter that may be just as powerful as the original model

One of the most compelling upcoming additions to the MCU’s roster of Disney+ shows is the untitled series focused around Vision. Previously titled Vision Quest, it seems apparent that the upcoming streaming series revolving around the soft-spoken android will see the creation of Vision’s synthetic family from the comics, including his daughter, Viv. A backup and more-or-less perfect younger replica of Vision, Viv could be a fascinating addition to the MCU’s dynamic.

Historically, Viv has enjoyed all the same powers as her father, including flight, super-strength, intangibility, super-intelligence, and focused forehead beams. Considering just how powerful of a core member the original Vision was, it’s safe to say that the offspring of White Vision, who hasn’t been seen since WandaVision, could be just as valuable of an asset to the team. While Viv might not be technically confirmed for the MCU quite yet, she feels like a nigh inevitability.

9

Wolverine

The limitless scrapper of the MCU

Soon, Deadpool & Wolverine will officially bring the mutants of Fox movie fame into the Marvel Cinematic Universe proper. Of course, this means that Hugh Jackman is once again reprising his beloved role as Logan, this time within the confines of the MCU. Should he truly survive the transition to the new universe, he’d be an unimaginable asset for the MCU to start Avengers 5 strong with. This has some precedence from the comics, with Wolverine joining the Avengers on more than one occasion.

Though he’s better known as a foundational member of the X-Men, Wolverine has plenty of comic experience serving in the Avengers. Fighting crime with his non-mutant allies, Wolverine might not be the strongest X-Man, but his healing factor, tenacity and incredible resilience would make him a boon for the team to feature in Avengers 5. Depending on how well himself and Deadpool make the transition, it could be easy to see Wolverine duking it out on the frontlines alongside other heroes.

8

Sentry

The Superman of the Marvel Universe

Truth be told, the Marvel Comics actually have their own equivalent of Superman soon to make an appearance. Slated to appear in the upcoming film Thunderbolts*, possibly as an antagonist, Sentry has a long legacy of being one of the strongest Marvel characters ever put to the page. An amnesiac hero with a villainous second personality known as the Void constantly struggling to break free, Sentry isn’t a generic good guy. Far from it, in fact, as he struggles with whether to abuse his powers.

It’s likely that Thunderbolts*‘ oddball cast of eclectic anti-heroes will be forced to team up against a bigger threat like Sentry, Suicide Squad-style. This could end with Sentry very much alive and on the side of good, leading him to find membership with the Avengers as he had in the comics. Blessed with flight, invulnerability, and the absorption and redirection of energy, it’s a shame that Steven Yeun of The Walking Dead and Invincible fame had to drop out of portraying the character.

7

America Chavez

The universe-hopping young heroine

Introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, America Chavez might end up being one of the most important new characters introduced in the last five years of the MCU. Her universe-altering powers allow her to hop from dimension to dimension, coming across all manner of vile foes. So long as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to travel in the multiversal direction the series has been leaning in, she could be a welcome fit into the iconic hero team.

America might not seem like much at first, but hero powers are world-breakingly powerful. Not only is she able to teleport herself across the multiverse, but she can bring whole squads with her as well, making her an incredibly important resource character for the Avengers to utilize as much as they can. America would be a great pick for an upcoming draft of the next iteration of the Avengers.

6

Blade

Marvel’s supernatural vampire killer

The original Blade trilogy bears some of the most iconic Marvel cinema outside of the MCU. At long last, the lauded film franchise is gearing up for their own interpretation of the character, to be played by Mahershala Ali. Even if Blade has been suffering developmentally, the film’s release in 2025 could at least ensure a valuable new member on the Avengers’ roster in Avengers 5.

A half-vampire known as a Dhampir, a.k.a. a Daywalker, Blade has all of the creatures’ strengths, but none of their weaknesses. This could easily land him as one of the strongest modern introductions to the Avengers as of late should he make it on the team, even though he rarely takes time off from hunting vampires exclusively. How Blade will factor in to the overarching Marvel Cinematic Universe story at large remains to be seen.

5

Skaar

A young Hulk with something to prove

Alongside America Chavez, Skaar presents the upcoming Avengers 5 with one of its biggest opportunities to increase the capabilities of its heroic roster. Only briefly introduced in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Skaar was born of a union between The Hulk and another alien species during his time on Sakaar, leaving him a relatively normal-looking human besides his massive bulk and green skin. Though he’s only barely appeared in the MCU thus far, he could be a perfect first-round draft pick for Avengers 5.

As the son of The Hulk, it’s likely that Skaar possesses at least a fraction of some of the same brute strength demonstrated by both Professor Hulk and the original model. The Avengers could certainly use a new heavy-hitter, especially considering Hulk’s own status on the team is a tad vague. If there was one bit of nepotism that could work out in the MCU’s favor, it’d be the addition of Skaar to the roster of Avengers 5.

4

Monica Rambeau

One of the most competent new heroes

As exciting as the possibilities for characters like America Chavez and SKaar are, they’re ultimately unproven in the superhero field. That’s not the case with Monica Rambeau, the military child who has quickly become one of the series’ most valuable new additions. First getting her light-based powers in WandaVision, Monica Rambeau went on to prove instrumental in Captain Marvell’s defeat of Dar-Benn in The Marvels.

With a versatile power set and an impressive amount of experience under her belt despite her very recent foray into superheroics, the Avengers would be wise to incorporate Monica Rambeau into their ranks. Unfortunately, Rambeau is currently in an alternate universe being looked after by the X-Men’s Beast as per the ending of The Marvels. Should she manage to make her way back to the central timeline, perhaps with the assistance of America Chavez, Monica could perhaps finally become an Avenger in-earnest.

3

Thena

The most powerful Eternal still alive

The Eternals haven’t been heard from much since their introduction, even though their poorly-recieved film quietly introduced some of the most powerful Marvel Cinematic Universe characters ever conceived. While Ikaris and Gilgamesh may have been the strongest Eternals before they both died, Thena is a close third in raw power. Able to create dazzling weapons of hard-light in addition to the generous standard suite of Eternal powers, Thena could be a great choice for an updated Avengers roster.

Unfortunately, Thena was last seen journeying aboard the Domo in search of other Eternals. However, there’s nothing to say that Thena and the other Eternals accompanying her, along with whatever new faces they may have found, couldn’t make their way back to Earth by the time of Avengers 5. Regardless of who the film’s ultimate villain ends up being, Thena would be an undeniable asset to have on the field.

2

Love

Thor’s daughter, blessed by Eternity

Just as Thor was undeniably one of the strongest original Avengers, it makes sense that his adoptive daughter could take his place or join him as the newest incarnation of the team’s powerhouse. Once the daughter of Gorr the God-Butcher, Love was wished back to life via the all-powerful cosmic being, Eternity. Thanks to this unique status as a resurrected being via Eternity, Love was suffused with great cosmic power, giving her superhuman strength, speed, fighting skill, and powerful optic blasts of celestial light.

Admittedly, finding a way for Love to find and care about Earth in time for Avengers 5 might be somewhat difficult. Catching a ride with Thor could be reason enough, bringing the girl with him out of obligation to help his former home. Ironically, one of the strongest unaffiliated characters the MCU could incorporate into the Avengers is just a little girl.

1

Hercules

Another new Demi-God to the scene

Though Hercules only appears in a brief post-credits scene in Thor: Love and Thunder, the implications of his appearance could be huge on the formation of the next Avengers team. The son of Zeus, Hercules is commissioned by him to seek revenge on Thor after embarrassing the Greek pantheon in Olympus. In the comics, Hercules is blessed with incredible physical strength matched by a stark few number of beings.

While Hercules may be set up to be something of a villain, he’s certainly more heroic in the comics. It’s possible that Hercules could follow Thor into battle in Avengers 5 only to take up heroism, supplanting Thor as the divine protector of the Earth. It would certainly be interesting to see the dynamics of a god from another pantheon stepping up to fill Thor’s missing spot in the Avengers.