Every Avenger Who Is Still Active As A Superhero After Endgame

Which superheroes are still active in the MCU after the events of Avengers: Endgame? When Thanos snapped his fingers and erased half the life in the universe, he also dramatically reduced the number of superheroes protecting Earth. Although the surviving heroes were able to put matters right in the end, they paid a terrible price, and their numbers now are far fewer. Notably, defeating Thanos came at the cost of not just Black Widow, but also Iron Man sacrificing himself, while Steve Rogers decided to claim a “Happily Ever After” life by traveling back in time to be with his beloved Peggy Carter.

Some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes remained active after the Infinity Saga, and many more are bound to join their ranks. Avengers: Endgame killed off the team’s most reliable members, but that doesn’t mean the planet is defenseless. Here are all the confirmed MCU Phase 4 superheroes who are still operating on Earth after Avengers: Endgame.

Related: Marvel’s Phase 5 Movies Are Already More Exciting Than Phase 4

Who Are The Remaining Avengers?

Still populated by various super-powered heroes, Earth is by no means unprotected should a threat like Thanos come without a warning. MCU Phase 4 “resurrected” Vision through WandaVision’s White Vision, and Doctor Strange is still active, although Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness resulted in the Scarlet Witch’s death. Meanwhile, Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes are now close friends after defeating the Flag Smashers in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, while Okoye and the Wakandans are about to face some difficulties due to the absence of T’Challa — although Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s villain, Namor, was a member of the Avengers in the comics.

Moreover, Ant-Man and the Wasp will soon face one of Marvel’s greatest villains, Kang the Conqueror. As for Sorcerer Supreme Wong, he’s becoming Phase 4’s equivalent to Nick Fury, who will be back on Earth for Secret Invasion. There’s also the Hulk, Hawkeye, Thor, and War Machine, who’ve become mentors to a new generation of heroes. Finally, while Captain Marvel and the Guardians of the Galaxy aren’t on Earth, they’re still active Avengers.

Ant-Man

Scott Lang was the direct reason the Blip came to an end in the first place because, when Ant-Man escaped the Quantum Realm, he came up with the Avengers’ time travel plan — even if he was more than a little shaken by the idea that Back to the Future‘s model of time travel didn’t work out. It’s unclear whether the world actually knows time travel was involved at the end of the Blip, though — certainly the Avengers pretended Captain America died rather than let the public know he traveled back in time — so Ant-Man’s contribution may not be well-known. Still, it’s reasonable to assume he has continued his superhero career back home in L.A., where he will also be enjoying spending quality time with his now older daughter, Cassie.

After Sylvie killed He Who Remains in the Loki finale, Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne will be tasked with fighting Kang the Conqueror, who’s expected to survive the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania to become the main villain of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and potentially also Avengers: Secret Wars. Another character expected to be more powerful once the credits roll is Cassie Lang, who may get her hands on Pym technology to take up the moniker of the size-shifter and future member of the Young Avengers known as Stature.

Related: Marvel Confirms Where Ant-Man & the Wasp Fits Into The MCU Timeline

Black Panther

No doubt Wakanda suffered terribly in the absence of the Black Panther, not least because their stock of Heart-Shaped Herb had been destroyed by Killmonger, meaning they could not appoint a successor. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier episode 1 revealed national borders collapsed during the Blip, and it is likely even the formerly isolationist nation was profoundly affected by this. Though Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman sadly passed away and Marvel has already confirmed they won’t recast the titular role of T’Challa, it’s not yet known how they’ll address his absence in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. There might even be multiple Black Panthers in the MCU in the future.

Doctor Strange

He may not be the Sorcerer Supreme, but Stephen Strange has surely returned to his duties as a Master of the Mystic Arts and protector of reality, as seen in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Although Avengers: Endgame led to the Time Stone being destroyed, robbing Doctor Strange of his greatest weapon, the former Sorcerer Supreme learned new spells from the Darkhold, survived a magical duel with the Scarlet Witch, and unlocked America Chavez’s powers. Doctor Strange is perhaps the most active superhero in MCU Phase 4, having to help Peter Parker in his multiversal conflict during Spider-Man: No Way Home and protecting the multiverse itself from getting ripped apart by the Scarlet Witch. In fact, Doctor Strange and Clea were last seen on their way to stop a multiversal incursion.

Wong

If there were any doubts about Wong’s role in the Avengers prior to MCU Phase 4, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings cemented the Master of the Mystic Arts as one of the most important members of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes after the Infinity Saga. Indeed, Wong played a crucial role in stopping the Scarlet Witch alongside Doctor Strange in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, in which he continued in his role as the Sorcerer Supreme. Moreover, Wong has not only been in contact with Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner but has also been revealed to be working with Abomination, seen in Shang-Chi and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Wong was also the one who welcomed the arguably overpowered Shang-Chi into the Avengers right after their first-ever superhero adventure. Wong has become the connecting tissue of the Avengers at a time when they most need it, and he certainly will have a big role whenever the Avengers need to assemble officially for the first time after Avengers: Endgame.

Falcon / Captain America

Sam Wilson was branded an outlaw when he sided with Steve Rogers during the events of Captain America: Civil War, but he was pardoned due to his involvement in the final climactic battle against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. As Falcon, he immediately returned to active duty in the United States Air Force, traveling the globe on classified missions to neutralize terrorist groups and try to bring a bit of stability into the post-Blip world. Although reluctantly, Falcon reunited with Bucky Barnes to face the Flag Smashers and John Walker with the unlikely help of Baron Zemo and Sharon Carter, a.k.a. the Power Broker. His efforts were well compensated, as he officially became the next Captain America, complete with Steve Rogers’ shield and a state-of-the-art suit made by the Wakandans. Sam Wilson will be getting his own solo movie as Cap in 2024 with Captain America: New World Order.

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Hawkeye

Clint Barton retired from the superhero life once again in order to spend time with his restored family. As he knows more than any other Avenger, though, peace should never be included in his plans. The Hawkeye Disney+ series introduced Kate Bishop, who suited up as Ronin and inadvertently tangled Hawkeye right back up in his superhero web. Clint became Kate Bishop’s mentor, reluctantly, and their unexpected holiday mission in Hawkeye also brought new threats, namely Echo, Yelena Belova, the Swordsman, and the Kingpin, all of whom are expected to make future MCU appearances. With him growing old and now hard of hearing, a lifetime of fighting has clearly taken a toll on Clint Barton, who will keep trying to achieve a definitive retirement with his loved ones, perhaps permanently now that Kate Bishop is eager to take up his mantle.

Nick Fury

Nick Fury hasn’t really been active since the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. However, he has kept track of the Avengers throughout the years, and he joined S.W.O.R.D. sometime before the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as the founding father of the Avengers in the MCU crossover series Secret Invasion, where he’s expected to resume his role as Earth’s clandestine protector after spending some time in space. Fury’s right hand, Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), is also returning for Secret Invasion.

The Hulk

Successfully merging his two identities as Smart Hulk after spending 18 months in a Gamma lab during the Blip, Bruce Banner’s status quo has changed significantly. The Hulk became Earth’s most prominent superhero during that period, as seen in a deleted scene from Avengers: Endgame, and he quite enjoyed his newfound celebrity. Unfortunately, the Hulk suffered a grievous injury when he used the Infinity Gauntlet to restore half the life in the universe, with the surge in power destroying his right arm. The mid-credits scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings revealed that Bruce Banner fully returned to his human self, explained in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as being thanks to Bruce Banner’s inhibitor. He was Smart Hulk again in She-Hulk, which ended with him introducing his son, Skaar.

Spider-Man

Spider-Man’s participation in the final battle of Avengers: Endgame did wonders for his reputation, but unfortunately, he was manipulated by Mysterio’s illusions in Spider-Man: Far From Home, and then blamed for terrorist attacks across Europe, with his public identity revealed courtesy of J. Jonah Jameson. Spidey’s desire to undo this led to the cataclysmic events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, in which Peter Parker faced his greatest foes from alternate universes and ultimately had to sacrifice life as he knew it. Now living alone with nobody knowing his true identity, Spider-Man faces an unprecedented journey in the MCU. Happy Hogan confirmed he still knows Spider-Man, even without knowing Peter, so Doctor Strange’s memory charm clearly didn’t wipe out his status as an active superhero. More importantly, after Spider-Man: No Way Home, there could be multiple Peter Parkers joining the Avengers in the future. Spider-Man could also become more independent as a superhero and perhaps come in contact with Sony-owned villains such as Venom and Morbius.

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War Machine

War Machine may be Earth’s mightiest Avenger, having been given a substantial upgrade during the Blip. His Iron Patriot armor is potentially more advanced than any Iron Man armor Tony Stark ever designed, with Marvel hinting it’s been given access to alien technology courtesy of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Concept art shows various different iterations, as additional rockets pop out, or some sort of energy weapons unsheathe on the shoulders. According to Marvel, the post-Blip War Machine is designed to take on literal armies. What’s more, given Rhodey’s patriotic colors, all this is likely still under the auspices of the U.S. military. War Machine will be the star of the movie Armor Wars, where he may fight many Iron Man copycats and possibly mentor Riri Williams, a.k.a. Ironheart.

Wasp

Hope Van Dyne was on the run for breach of the Sokovia Accords prior to being Blipped out of existence, and it’s unclear whether she will have been offered the same pardons that were made available to others who joined the battle against Thanos when they were restored. The Pym family weren’t wanted for a direct breach of the Sokovia Accords, but rather because they had made illegal technological enhancements available to Scott Lang; Hope’s father, Hank Pym, may well have been unwilling to strike a deal even with the offer of a pardon on the table. In any case, Hope is sure to still be suiting up as the Wasp for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, especially after it was revealed by Matt Murdock in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law that the Sokovia Accords have been repealed.

Winter Soldier

Bucky Barnes has been offered a pardon for his participation in the final battle of Avengers: Endgame, but The Falcon and The Winter Soldier revealed that there are terms to that pardon — including regular psychological observation. The Winter Soldier is still striving to be redeemed after all his misdeeds. Fortunately for him, Sam Wilson is there to support him. Whether Bucky Barnes claims a new moniker to match Sam Wilson’s Captain America title is uncertain, but he will surely join the battle if the Avengers need him.

Okoye

Okoye has seemingly taken the reins when it comes to Wakanda’s international affairs. She led the mission to retrieve Baron Zemo after Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes broke him out of prison in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, taking him to the Raft. With T’Challa gone, Okoye is expected to have even bigger roles than being the leader of the Dora Milaje. Her taking on the mantle of the Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is not out of the question, and she’s also expected to star in the upcoming Wakanda-centered Disney+ show. Considering she stood alongside Captain Marvel, War Machine, Rocket Raccoon, and Nebula between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, Okoye is bound to reprise her role as an Avengers strategist.

Related: New Black Panther 2 Character Sets Up Rumored Okoye Spinoff

Scarlet Witch

Before Wanda seemingly destroyed herself at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she was an active Avenger, although the way she tore through reality for selfish reasons makes her more of an Avengers-level threat. After getting corrupted by the Darkhold, she nearly ripped apart the multiverse to steal her children from an alternate universe. In the process, the Scarlet Witch possessed and seemed to also unlock the powers of Wanda from Earth-838. This means a different Wanda could still fulfill the prophecy about Wanda ruling or destroying the world, even if the Scarlet Witch is truly dead. On the other hand, if the original Scarlet Witch is still alive, Wanda’s guilt for her crimes against the multiverse could re-ignite her desire to help the Avengers.

Thor

Thor may have lost Jane Foster to Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder, but the Asgardian also gained a daughter in Love, Gorr’s child who was resurrected by Eternity into an all-powerful being. With Mjolnir back in Thor’s hands and Stormbreaker in the hands of Love — who may actually become more powerful than Thor — the next cosmic threat that knocks on Earth’s doors will be in for a surprise. While Love wasn’t inspired by any Marvel Comics character and was created for the MCU’s fourth solo Thor movie, there’s a chance that Gorr’s daughter could become a Young Avenger. As Thor seems to be dedicated to his new role as Love’s father and mentor, Eternity’s child will undoubtedly be on the path to becoming one of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

Who Are The Next Avengers After Endgame

Besides the possible return of the remaining original Avengers, a future line-up for MCU Phase 5 can include many new heroes. Independent characters like Shang-Chi, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, Monica Rambeau, Sersi, and Jane Foster are likely to assemble the next iteration of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, while others are more likely to create their own off-shoots of the Avengers. The MCU’s younger generation, including Kate Bishop, America Chavez, Kamala Khan, Elijah Bradley, Cassie Lang, Kid Loki, and Tommy and Billy Maximoff, are all expected to form the MCU’s Young Avengers. The West Coast Avengers could be started by Hawkeye and White Vision, while Doctor Strange, Blade, and Moon Knight could devote their time to their duties with the Midnight Sons. All of these groups could come together and call themselves the Avengers whenever a villain similar to Thanos threatens the Earth.

The MCU Will Branch Out Into Multiple Teams After Phase 4

Because there are so many possible hero line-ups in the MCU, it’s quite possible that Phase 4 and Phase 5 will have several Avengers-like teams at once, although not all of them will necessarily be heroes. In fact, Marvel confirmed at the 2022 D23 Expo that Yelena Belova, U.S. Agent, Bucky Barnes, Ghost, Taskmaster, and Red Guardian will be forming the Thunderbolts cast — and the antihero team-up will be led by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. This is also essentially the MCU’s first real step toward a Dark Avengers story arc.

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Meanwhile, The Marvels will see Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau working together. The MCU could also welcome Netflix’s Defenders and the X-Men into the fold — especially as Deadpool 3 is confirmed to not only be part of the MCU but also set to include the MCU debut of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. In addition to the MCU Young Avengers and Dark Avengers threads that Marvel is already building, MCU Phase 5 could boast a significant number of new teams to replace the original Avengers. As the Avengers: Secret Wars delay suggests huge developments down the line, MCU Phase 6 could even see the debut of super-teams from other universes, like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘s Illuminati.

MCU Phase 5’s Female A-Force Superhero Team Line-Up

Last but absolutely not least, there’s also potential for an all-female Avengers team to form in MCU Phase 5, possibly the A-Force of Marvel Comics who were teased in Avengers: Endgame. Given the rumored significance of Captain Marvel in shaping the future of the MCU, this seems all the more likely. There’s already an extensive list of heroes who could make the cut for an all-female Avengers team even without the potential Young Avengers candidates: America Chavez, Captain Marvel, Monica Rambeau, Shuri, Okoye, Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor, Lady Sif, Valkyrie, She-Hulk, Yelena Belova, Gamora, Nebula, Sersi, and the Wasp to name only some. Given this impressive range of amazing heroes that the MCU could include, a female Avengers team is almost a requirement for Phase 5.

Next: Phase 4 Has Made All Of Avengers: Endgame’s Biggest Deaths Worse