Doctor Strange 2 Can Replace Captain America (And Kick Off Young Avengers)

The debut of America Chavez via Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness can serve as the starting point for the Young Avengers and position her as Captain America's counterpart on the team. Details on the Benedict Cumberbatch-led follow-up have been kept firmly under wraps. What is known, however, is that the film will dive more prominently into parallel realities. With Sam Raimi taking over the director's chair from Scott Derrickson, the Doctor Strange sequel will co-star Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff (aka Scarlet Witch). As a result, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will tie in directly to the events of WandaVision, as well as fellow Disney+ series: Loki

It was recently announced that Xochitl Gomez had signed on for a mysterious role. Lining up with previous rumors, it's theorized that the teenage actress will be playing America Chavez. Created by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta, the character made her debut in 2011's Vengeance #1. Following the conclusion of that limited series, America was included in the line-up on several teams. She would later receive her own solo series titled America. Penned by Gabby Rivera, America debuted in 2017 and concluded in 2018. The character would subsequently join the West Coast Avengers. Despite hailing from a realm known as the "Utopian Parallel", America traveled to the main universe and is described as being of Latin-American descent. As such, the character would offset some of the MCU's issues with representation and diversity. America Chavez would offer even more on that front, being also a member of the LGBTQ community.

America Chavez could equally serve as something of a stand-in for Captain America. After Steve Rogers retired in Avengers: Endgame, the mantle was passed to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). What he does next with the famous shield will comprise the plot of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier in 2021. With no Avengers film announced for the foreseeable future, it's unknown what his function will be in a larger scale team-up. Whatever the case, even if he should follow in his predecessor's footsteps, the comics have frequently had several different superhero teams active at once. That trend looks set to be realized with new superhero teams on-screen during Marvel's Phase 4. While Sam could lead or work with an adult team (and potentially Spider-Man), America Chavez could be the catalyst and leader of the Young Avengers. As out of place as Cap was out of time, she could be The First (Young) Avenger, if you will.

The MCU has been planting seeds for the Young Avengers for some time now. So far, the only comic book member to be seen in the films is Ant-Man's daughter, Cassie Lang. However, it's already been made official that Kate Bishop will debut in Hawkeye. Other members such as Wiccan, Speed, and Hulkling are rumored for WandaVision. Meanwhile, Loki could see the emergence of Kid Loki. Though Kamala Khan isn't typically a Young Avenger in the comics, that could be amended for the MCU. That would mean the team would feature youthful stand-ins for several of the most prominent adult heroes. It would also leave the roster open for America Chavez to fill the Captain America void - like she once did in a Hawkeye comics run.

America Chavez's has some very different powers from Captain America. Equally, the abilities they do share are much more considerable in her hands. While Cap was strong, he wasn't "throw a tank to the moon" strong. That strength (and additional powers like flight) more than makes her perfect for leadership, almost blending Captain America and Iron Man in one. Her choice of star-spangled attire fits Captain America's mold. Equally, her superhero name is Miss America. As such, she could be to Captain America what Ms. Marvel is to Captain Marvel — albeit without the fangirl dynamic. Though her arrival in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will come later than other debuts, it could mirror Steve Roger's own in the Phase 1 order. Furthermore, like Steve and the Tesseract, Miss America's Cosmic Awareness of impending doom could be the catalyst that unites the Young Avengers and spurs them into action.

More: Predicting The MCU's Young Avengers Lineup