The Marvel Cinematic Universe finally has a new direction, with Phases 4 through 6 now officially titled The Multiverse Saga. The current saga will culminate in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, wherein the Avengers will engage in battle against the villainous Kang the Conqueror.
As fans continue to get more and more excited for the coming conflict against Kang, a question remains regarding which Avengers in particular will stand up against the oncoming villain. With Phase 5 only months away from its start, there are certain Avengers that seem to be on a collision course with Kang.
Ant-Man
Paul Rudd's Ant-Man is one of the few Avengers that has yet to be seen since the conclusion of the Infinity Saga. Despite his absence heretofore in Phase 4, the character is slated to play a major role in the Multiverse Saga, with the third film in his solo franchise, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, kicking off Phase 5.
Scott Lang and his partner, Hope van Dyne, are already set to face off against Kang, who will be the major antagonist of Quantumania. While their conflict in the third Ant-Man film will no doubt be thrilling, it is likely that their battle will eventually spill over into a larger conflict in The Kang Dynasty, where fans will be eager to see a rematch between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror.
Captain America
Sam Wilson is clearly being set up to lead the MCU's next phases as the Avengers' new Captain America. After taking on the mantle from Steve Rogers, Wilson is set to headline the upcoming Captain America: New World Order in 2024 as a part of Phase 5 of the MCU.
As the new Captain America, Sam Wilson has a responsibility to lead the frontline of any attack against the franchise's next big bad. Just as Steve Rogers personally confronted Thanos in Infinity War, fans can expect Sam to charge headfirst into battle against the multiversal villain that now threatens his reality. Whether or not the new Cap can withstand Kang's power will have to be seen.
Scarlet Witch
Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, has been a standout star in Phase 4 of the MCU, whose terrifying heel turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seemed to bring her character to an untimely end. Many fans, however, still believe that the character could be still alive, lurking in the background of the MCU.
The Scarlet Witch is undoubtedly one of the most powerful characters in the MCU so far, who can use the battle against Kang as a way to finally redeem herself after her villainous turn. Despite her history, Wanda Maximoff may be the Avengers' best chance at defeating their next Big Bad, even if she proves to be the loose cannon that they can't quite keep under control.
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is being set up as a leading member of the next generation of Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After his thrilling adventures in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the Web-slinging teenager superhero has entered a new phase of his life as he transitions into adulthood. The fan-favorite superhero is expected to headline the first installment of his own new trilogy in the next few years.
Spider-Man is currently among the most seasoned Avengers when it comes to dealing with the multiverse. After meeting several of his variants, Peter Parker will be invaluable when dealing with multiversal villains like Kang and his variants. And, as one of the most popular characters in the MCU, fans desperately want to see Spider-Man go head-to-head with such a major antagonist.
Shang-Chi
Simu Liu's Shang-Chi, who debuted in the beloved film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is one of the greatest Avengers introduced in Phase 4. Already inducted into the Avengers lineup, Shang-Chi is sure to be an integral part of both The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, especially after the announcement that the former will be helmed by Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton.
Though plenty of mysteries still linger regarding the origin of Shang-Chi's newly-inherited rings, many believe that they are somehow tied to Kang. If this does appear to be true, the fledgling hero will soon get the chance to prove himself as an Avenger, perhaps facing off against Jonathan Majors's conniving villain in The Kang Dynasty.
She-Hulk
Tatiana Maslany is finally making her MCU debut in the legal procedural comedy She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The series introduces Jennifer Walters, who becomes the Savage She-Hulk, the cousin of Bruce Banner and a future member of the MCU's Avengers.
Fans are eager to see She-Hulk's powers put on display as she continues what is sure to be a long and prosperous career in the MCU. As a leading Avenger in the comics, the newest member of the Hulk Family must quickly establish herself among the cinematic version of the team, which could easily be done by holding her own against the team's newest threat.
Thor
Thor is one of the few remaining members of the Avengers' initial lineup, whose adventures in Thor: Love and Thunder left him continuing his heroic conquest throughout the galaxy to help those in need. As one of the Avengers' most active members, fans are anxiously waiting for the god of thunder's next appearance in the MCU.
As one of the most powerful members of the Avengers, Thor will undoubtedly be leading the charge against Kang in Avengers 5. However, with Chris Hemsworth likely coming to the end of his days in the MCU, fans may not be so happy about the conclusion of Thor and Kang's inevitable brawl, which could lead to the ultimate end of one of the franchise's first superheroes.
Reed Richards
The Fantastic Four are finally coming to the MCU, set to appear in their own self-titled film in 2024, which will kick off Phase 6 of the franchise. Reed Richards, the leader of the superhero family, has already made his pseudo-debut, with a variant of the character appearing in Multiverse of Madness, where he was portrayed by John Krasinski.
Fans are still anxiously waiting to finally find out when Reed and the Fantastic Four will first be introduced, but one thing is certain: the leader of the team will inevitably face off against Kang in the MCU. Comics fans know that Kang is the distant descendant of Reed Richards, meaning that the two vitally important characters will certainly meet face-to-face on the field of battle at some point in the next two Avengers films.
Captain Marvel
Brie Larson's Captain Marvel has already made several appearances throughout Phase 4, implying that she will be involved in the major stories of the Multiverse Saga. Currently, she is slated to next appear in 2023's The Marvels, which will unite her with fellow superheroes Photon and Ms. Marvel.
Captain Marvel is quickly becoming a major player in the MCU and, as one of the Avengers' most powerful superheroes, she is destined for a brawl with Kang. After failing to stop Thanos during the Battle of Earth, perhaps Carol could even redeem herself by being the one to finally defeat Kang at the end of Avengers 5.
Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange is already proving to be one of the most prolific superheroes in the Multiverse Saga. Having participated in the events of No Way Home and Multiverse of Madness, the Master of the Mystic Arts was last seen leaping into the Dark Dimension with newfound companion Clea, presumably to avert the coming incursion of Earth-616 with an as-yet-unknown alternate reality.
Doctor Strange is undoubtedly on a collision course with Kang the Conqueror, who is undoubtedly aware of the powerful sorcerer following his adventures in the multiverse. As one of the few heroes who was able to go toe-to-toe with the Mad Titan Thanos, Doctor Strange may find himself pressed even further when battling Kang himself.