Though Avengers get most of the focus in the MCU, Thunderbolts is the next team-up movie, with reports that Florence Pugh's Yelena will lead it. Interestingly, it will unite anti-heroes and villains from across the franchise in a new, government-sanctioned team, likely established to replace the Avengers in the universe. Other exciting teams coming on the horizon are, of course, The Fantastic Four and X-Men, but also the Wrecking Crew in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.
Nevertheless, there are still more who are worthy of special attention. Some teams’ introductions into the MCU seem quite likely and impending, given the recent trajectory of films and TV shows, while others might be coming farther down the line. Regardless, these heroic teams are the most interesting and deserving of their own film or series on Disney+, though some could be announced at the upcoming D23.
X-Men
Implications were already made in 2019 when Kevin Feige hinted that mutants and the X-Men would arrive in the MCU. But, no new development has come up since this news, and many fans are disappointed with the lack of insight or any mention of them in much of Phase Four. Hence, it probably would’ve been better for Feige to have waited to announce until there was actually something to announce.
Nevertheless, Ms. Marvel finally did the unexpected and introduced the first mutant in the MCU, Kamala Khan. The door is now open for them to arrive. Of course, the X-Men will be getting their own film, possibly even being one of the mystery slots in Phase Six that will be revealed at D23. The case could also be made for the X-Men’s secondary teams like X-Force, X-Factor, or Excalibur to get their own films or shows down the line too.
The Runaways
With the exciting news of Daredevil: Born Again and the presumed reincorporation of the Netflix-Marvel series, there is newfound hope for series like The Runaways. The show ran on Hulu for three seasons, concluding in 2019, but now they could find a home in the main MCU continuity. Some fans have already theorized how that could happen, whether in a full reboot or as a continuation of the original series.
The team is composed of young heroes and a genetically engineered dinosaur, Old Lace. The recent reveal that Nico Minoru would feature in the MCU-adjacent animated series, Spider-Man: Freshman Year, does give some hope that at least she could have a future in the MCU, but hopefully, she’s not alone. A Runaways Disney+ reboot could definitely turn out to be one of the Phase Six shows, too.
Alpha Flight
Phase Four has also introduced some international heroes, such as Red Guardian in Black Widow, Scarlet Scarab in Moon Knight, and the Red Daggers in Ms. Marvel. That trend should continue and one of the best options for that would be Alpha Flight. The team is the Canadian equivalent of the Avengers consisting of Guardian, Vindicator, Northstar, Aurora, Snowbird, Shaman, Sasquatch, and even Wolverine at times.
An Alpha Flight project wouldn’t likely be coming anytime soon and would likely be reserved for Phase Seven and the next great saga since they’re X-Men related, and it would be strange to introduce them before the X-Men officially arrive. However, when the opportunity presents itself, the MCU should take advantage.
Defenders
Charlie Cox is making himself extremely present in the MCU over the next year or so, and it has fans absolutely ecstatic. First, he’s got She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, then Echo, and finally Daredevil: Born Again. Now what many wants is for his former teammates to get the same treatment – or at least most of them. Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones in particular should return, but it would also be great to get a revitalized and restructured Defenders series.
The Defenders on Netflix was moderately well-received, especially for some action sequences and how the main four played off each other, but it never really got to develop into the big thing it was intended to be. Given the popularity of the characters, the team could also get their own film sometime down the line. Alternatively, they could do a complete relaunch of the Defenders title, using the original team of Doctor Strange, Hulk, Namor, Valkyrie, Hawkeye, and more.
A-Force
While Avengers: Endgame culminated in one of the most epic moments in pop culture history with the final battle against Thanos, there was one bit that left a sour taste in some viewers’ mouths. That would be the moment when all the female heroes teamed up. It was contentiously received with some celebrating it for what it is, while others called it pandering and claimed it’s not enough to have a minute-long sequence – they need a real A-Force film.
Now that She-Hulk is here, that’s even more likely since she was the team's founding member and leader. Importantly, the team was formed during the Secret Wars crossover, and with Avengers: Secret Wars concluding Phase Six and the Multiverse Saga, there’s even more hope that an A-Force film could be in development.
Young Avengers
With nearly every entry in Phase Four, a new teen hero has been introduced into the MCU, which has many just waiting for the day they’ll announce a Young Avengers film or Disney+ show. Right now the roster is quite impressive – Kate Bishop, America Chavez, Ms. Marvel, Kid Loki, Wiccan, Speed, Ironheart, Stinger, Patriot, and maybe even Love. Some still have to age up or get powered up, but they’re on the right path.
There are a few more members waiting in the wings – namely Hulkling, Marvel Boy, and Iron Lad – but they could surely be arriving soon. Since it’s a team of young heroes, the MCU is on a condensed timetable to make a Young Avengers project, so let’s hope they don’t squander the opportunity.
Exiles
Avengers: Secret Wars could presumably unite multiple universes within the MCU, allowing for the X-Men, Fantastic Four, or other popular heroes to cross into and exist in the main continuity going forward. However, after that is over, hopefully, the multiverse is not closed off for good. One team’s introduction would be contingent on it - the Exiles. As the name implies, it is a team of multiversal rejects, variants removed from their timelines who end up working together.
If it wasn’t for the fact that most of the team members are mutants, this would be a perfect addition in Loki. Nevertheless, when the X-Men finally arrive in theaters, Exiles, like X-Force or Excalibur, would be an exciting adventure to watch in a Disney+.
Midnight Sons
Another team steadily growing its potential roster in the MCU is the Midnight Sons, which is also currently recognized for the highly-anticipated video game Marvel’s Midnight Suns. The current candidates for this team would be Doctor Strange, Moon Knight, Scarlet Witch, Blade, Wong, and Werewolf by Night. Other heroes fans would love to see join would be Ghost Rider, Hannibal King, Man-Thing, Jennifer Kale, and Daimon Hellstrom to name a few.
There are so many avenues to explore with Marvel Comics' supernatural and horror-centric side, and Midnight Sons would be a great way to showcase them all together. However, a Midnight Sons film would logically operate like The Avengers or The Defenders in that most of the members would need to get their own solo projects first. Nevertheless, this is something that would be an exciting announcement for many fans, and could finally be the perfect place to incorporate Mephisto.
Ultimates
Following this adventure through the Multiverse, the MCU should delve into more cosmic stories and threats. That would eventually allow for the Ultimates to team up as they fight back against enemies like Galactus. In the comics, the team consists of Captain Marvel, Spectrum, Black Panther, Miss America, and Blue Marvel, so the MCU is only missing the latter.
However, the Ultimates in the MCU could actually operate like the galactic Avengers, especially since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is supposedly the end of that team’s adventures together. As such, the team could also welcome Nova, Silver Surfer, and Quasar, along with the remnants of the Guardians as members.
Squadron Supreme
Another team that could be introduced as part of the vast multiverse is Squadron Supreme. They are literally pastiches of the Justice League, comprised of Hyperion, Nighthawk, Power Princess, Doctor Spectrum, Whizzer, and more. With the DCEU in shambles right now, the MCU could easily take advantage of the situation by introducing Squadron Supreme.
In fact, there are already rumors that they’ll be part of the second season of Loki, but as rumors, that should be taken with a grain of salt. Alternatively, it could be the Squadron Sinister instead – their earlier villainous counterparts. Whatever the case, if it’s not Loki, Avengers: Secret Wars seems like a logical place to introduce them – after which they can headline their own series on Disney+.