While the Avengers have reigned supreme with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it's becoming apparent that the movies are starting to move away from the iconic group as the franchise moves into Phase 5. But who are they going to be replaced with?
Although the films can always rely on teams like the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, the MCU could introduce a number of new teams that have either been forgotten about in the Marvel Comics Universe or are completely brand new. It'll be good if the writers managed to include one of the more forgotten ones in order to keep things unpredictable and fresh.
Technet
A team that premiered as adversaries against Excalibur, the Technet were a group of alien and multiversal threats that were originally brought together as mercenaries. Eventually, under Nightcrawler's tutelage, the team eventually became full-fledged superheroes with diverse abilities and looks that made them stand out amongst their fellow heroes.
As a team of Marvel comics characters that went from villains to friends, the group has a fun backstory that makes them easily more interesting than heroes that immediately took to protecting the world. As outsiders to Earth, they offer fresh perspectives on many of Earth's issues. Best of all, the team's designs make them unique enough that fans will easily be able to latch onto them as new and interesting characters that have the potential to upturn the Marvel universe.
A-Force
A team composed entirely of some of the strongest female characters in Marvel comics, A-Force was a group of characters trapped in a multiversal event that banded together on a matriarchal world. Led by She-Hulk, the team included Medusa, Captain Marvel, and a few fresh faces that have yet to premiere in the MCU, like Singularity.
A-Force is a team that is likely to eventually appear in the MCU, especially given the rise in prominence of female characters in the movies. Given that She-Hulk is soon to premiere in a series of her own, it's entirely possible that A-Force might be introduced within Phase 4 itself.
The Braddock Academy
A school organized by Captain Britain, the Braddock Academy was designed to produce the next generation of Britain's heroes. Yet despite Braddock's best hopes, the Academy devolved quickly when the kids were dragged into an arena by a supervillain and were forced to fight to the death.
Though the Braddock Academy didn't appear often in the comics, each of the students had potential and were some of the most interesting characters. Kids like Cullen Bloodstone and Katy Bashir had fun powersets with major drawbacks in a way that most heroes don't. It opens them up to countless storylines that, if explored, could make these kids cooler than the Avengers.
Starjammers
After being taken from his wife and sons, Cyclops' father, Corsair, put together a team of alien mercenaries and became what can only be described as a space pirate. Sworn to fight for freedom and against the Shi'ar, the team became a bastion of hope for the galaxy, though they eventually managed to secure peace with the Shi'ar.
Not unlike the Guardians of the Galaxy, there's a lot to love about the Starjammers. After all, what could be more fun than a bunch of characters dedicated to piracy and fighting a space empire? Their connection with the X-Men also give the team a vast array of unique stories that can tie them to Earth in the event that the team needs a crossover. But really, space pirates. What more could fans ask for?
Avengers Academy
The Breakfast Club of the Marvel universe, the Avengers Academy was a program put together by the Avengers to intervene with superpowered kids before they could turn to villainy. Having recruited a group of kids that the Avengers most suspected to be capable of terrible acts, the Avengers set about training them and quickly found that the team wasn't exactly primed for evil.
The Avengers Academy is a fun group specifically because it's a coming-of-age story with teenagers that aren't necessarily sure of their path. While some are somewhat willing to take steps toward cruelty, others try to keep themselves and others from harm at all given times. There's no great responsibility to them, and that's part of what makes them so engaging.
Power Pack
Four children given superpowers by a talking alien horse, the Power Pack were a group of siblings who dedicated themselves to saving people whenever they could. Though the kids often led light-hearted stories that could be a great fit for an animated series, they also featured in one of the most controversial arcs in Marvel Comics, the Morlock Massacre.
The kids had fun powers and an interesting relationship with the Fantastic Four and Wolverine that make them one of the teams will the most potential in Marvel comics. Should they appear in the MCU, their series could be a fun and dramatic family story that could make them a great fit for a Disney+ story.
Morlocks
Many fans have noticed through the years that the X-Men tend to be some of the most useful mutants around. However, for the mutants that didn't fit that narrow definition found themselves rejected from society and often found themselves living in the Morlock tunnels.
The Morlocks have a distinct perspective in the Marvel universe, as their powers and mutations directly led to their banishment. Many of them are bitter or have grotesque powers that leave Marvel civilians terrified. Still, their uniqueness is one of the reasons the group is so fondly remembered, even in spite of the Morlock Massacre and all the horrors that they faced.
Exiles
A team of mutants from some of the most important multiverse worlds from Marvel comics, the Exiles were brought together by aliens Timebrokers to solve problems across the multiverse and repair their own timelines. Often pitted against their rival team, Weapon X, the Exiles attempted to right wrongs as well as they could in whatever world they were sent to.
Unlike the Guardians of the Multiverse, the team's most exciting quality is their tumultuous relationship with the Timebrokers. The Exiles rarely have control over where their missions are, or even what they will be doing. They're also interesting because members of the team regularly die or leave the group and are replaced by other variants. Each time, it revitalizes the book and strengthens the resolve of many of the characters.
Alpha Flight
Led by one of the best Marvel heroes without superpowers, Alpha Flight was a team of Canadian superheroes that tussled with ancient gods, aliens, and world nations on a regular basis. Having eventually broken up due to government interference, the team eventually evolved into a space-based organization meant to fight galactic threats and a few domestic problems.
Alpha Flight was a fun team filled with interpersonal drama that left readers begging for more for decades. A diverse team full of heroes with unique personalities and stories, Alpha could be a great fit in the MCU. Not to mention that, given Wolverine's involvement with the team, it could be a great way to introduce Marvel's favorite clawed hero. The team also made history by including LGBTQ+ representation and having the first openly gay superhero (via Screen Rant).
New X-Men
Trained by the X-Men prior to the Decimation, and then oftentimes left to their own devices, the New X-Men were a group of mutant recruits dedicated to helping mutants survive the aftermath of House of M. Despite their fun and diverse powersets, the team had some of the most tragic moments in Marvel comics and often survived by the skin of their teeth. In many cases, they didn't survive at all.
The most interesting aspect of the New X-Men is how quickly they go from living through a typical teen drama to life in a warzone. Fans were given the chance to watch the characters grow and adapt to their ever-changing lives, and it was fascinating to see their perspectives change. Unfortunately, many of these characters have been forgotten since the series ended, despite how interesting each of them were.