MCU Phases 4-6 Now Have 6 Different Superhero Teams

The MCU’s Multiverse Saga already has six confirmed superhero teams. That number is drastically different from what the MCU had when the heroes were fighting Thanos in the Infinity Saga. Though there was no shortage of super-powered characters back then, the only two major groups were the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Though Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are defunct at the end of Avengers: Endgame, the MCU could soon be brimming with superhero teams. Movies in Phase 4, Phase 5, and Phase 6 will provide the MCU with plenty of superhero alliances it can rely on in the future. But in the case of some Marvel Comics groups, it’s hard to say exactly when they’ll be showing up. Phase 4 has laid the groundwork for live-action versions of the Young Avengers, the West Coast Avengers, the X-Men, and the Inhumans, but after all the announcements that were made by Marvel Studios at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, none of them may actually form until Phase 7.

Regardless of whether or not the above teams exist between Phase 4 and Phase 6, the MCU is sure to have at least a few groups on hand by the end of the Multiverse Saga. That does seem necessary, after all, given that Avengers: Secret Wars is based on a story that united representatives from Marvel’s four biggest teams. Looking at the setup it has in place, Marvel can indeed put together a massive mash-up of heroes for its final Phase 6 installment. Here’s every superhero team Marvel will have introduced before the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Unlike the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy stayed together after Thanos’ defeat. At the end of the movie, the lineup was comprised of Star-Lord, Drax, Rocket, Groot, Mantis, Nebula, Kraglin, and Thor. Ahead of their forthcoming return to the spotlight in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the Guardians lost Thor, who went solo again in Thor: Love and Thunder. The group will make their second appearance in Disney+’s Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special before making their final outing in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. In the movie, they’ll get a chance to pick up an additional member when they cross paths with Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock, who was on Star-Lord’s team in Marvel Comics. And before their stories end – as James Gunn has promised will happen in Phase 4 – the group may be able to bring the alternate timeline Gamora from Avengers: Endgame into their ranks.

Eternals

Eternals revealed that ten immortals with unique abilities have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. The group’s introduction has apparently provided the MCU with a new superhero team, though Eternals’ ending created some obstacles toward them meeting up with any other MCU heroes. As of now, there are only six Earth-based Eternals left, as Ikaris, Gilgamesh, Ajak all died, and Sprite gave up her powers to be human. Plus, half of the group was captured by the Celestials. So until Marvel finds room for a rescue mission (which may not occur until Eternals 2), the only available Eternals are Thena, Makkari, Druig, and Starfox, who they encountered in the post-credits scene. But while they’re certainly short-handed right now, the four of them should still be counted as a force to be reckoned with.

Illuminati

Via the multiverse, Marvel established the Illuminati concept in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the comic books, the Illuminati are a secret cabal of Marvel’s brightest minds and most important leaders. The original group consisted of Namor the Sub-Mariner, Iron Man, Mr. Fantastic, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, and Professor X. Earth-838’s Illuminati roster borrowed most of these characters but swapped out Namor and Iron Man for Captain Carter and Maria Rambeau’s Captain Marvel. Now that the MCU’s Doctor Strange has met them, the door is open for his character to put together his own Illuminati team in Earth-616. And with Namor joining the MCU in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and a proper version of Mr. Fantastic on the horizon, the MCU getting a second Illuminati is looking increasingly likely.

Thunderbolts

Phase 5’s final movie is set to introduce Marvel’s answer to the Suicide Squad. Formed in the 1990s by Baron Zemo, the Thunderbolts were a group of villains masquerading as heroes. The plan was to gain the trust of the public for their own benefit, but their superhero activities ended up making most of the group reject their leader and commit to being full-time heroes. Later incarnations of the Thunderbolts were government-sanctioned villain teams whose operations were similar to DC’s Suicide Squad. It’s widely believed that this will be the concept Marvel will lean on when it offers its take on the Thunderbolts. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s successful efforts to recruit U.S. Agent and Yelena Belova are signs that both will be on the team in Marvel’s Thunderbolts movie. In regards to the finished roster, Thunderbolts could fill it out with a score of options, including Abomination, Winter Soldier, Vulture, Ghost, Baron Zemo, Taskmaster, and more.

Fantastic Four

Marvel’s First Family is confirmed to join the fold in MCU Phase 6. Releasing in November 2024, Fantastic Four is expected to bring in new live-action versions of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and the Thing. Since he already played a Reed Richards in Doctor Strange 2, John Krasinski could theoretically reprise the role in Fantastic Four, but Marvel may decide to start from scratch with a whole new cast. As for what Marvel has in store for the group, Marvel’s Phase 6 plans indicate that they could join forces with the Avengers. Their movie’s release date being in such close proximity to the next Avengers movie boosts the Fantastic Four’s chances of being around for the fight with Kang the Conqueror.

Avengers

Thanks to Marvel’s Phase 6 announcements, it’s now known that the Earth will once again be protected by the Avengers. The new group will appear in at least two Multiverse Saga projects – Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars – though they could form in an earlier movie, such as Captain America: New World Order. The new version of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes could exist as a combination of returning Avengers (Thor, Hawkeye, Hulk, and Sam Wilson) and new MCU heroes. Any of the old Avengers could assemble a new team by aligning with a handful of the super-powered characters added by Phase 4 and Phase 5’s movies and shows. For the Multiverse Saga’s new Avengers recruits, Marvel should have its pick of Daredevil, She-Hulk, Shang-Chi, Black Knight, Hercules, Monica Rambeau, Starfox, and possibly even Namor the Sub-Mariner.