Disney CEO's MCU Update Is Bad News For The Original Avengers

The original Avengers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe just received some bad news, through a recently released update by Disney CEO Bob Iger. The very first movie in the MCU, 2008's Iron Man, ended with a post-credits scene that saw Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury recruit Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark for the Avenger Initiative. Since then, there have been four Avengers movies released in theaters — with two more on the way — and the franchise has amassed well over $7 billion at the global box office.

2019's Avengers: Endgame is the most recent release in the franchise, with the movie serving as a swan song for part of the original MCU Avengers team. While Avengers: Endgame featured pretty much every character in the MCU, Marvel was bound to part ways with some of its iconic heroes in the near future. Deadline shared an interesting update from Disney CEO Iger at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference, where the executive teased a completely new Avengers team to debut in the next five years, which means bad news to the MCU's remaining original Avengers. Check out the full quote below:

"I think we just have to look at what characters and stories we’re mining. If you look at the trajectory of Marvel in the next five years, there will be a lot of newness. We’re going to turn back to the Avengers franchise with a whole new set of Avengers, for example."

Confirmation Of A New Avengers Team Means The End For The Original Members

Iger's confirmation of the incoming debut of a completely new Avengers team spells doom for the original Avengers members. The original Avengers team has led the MCU through four movies and the entirety of the Infinity Saga, which comprised the MCU Phases 1-3. Avengers: Infinity War's Thanos' snap saw the original team survive, which positioned the six Avengers — Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye — to lead the efforts to save the MCU, and bring back the beloved heroes who fell in the previous movie, in a beautiful last film together as a team — Avengers: Endgame.

The Disney CEO specifically mentioned the next five years as when a new Avengers team will debut in the MCU. Based on that, and the fact that two Avengers movies are scheduled to debut within that timeframe, it appears that some of the original Avengers who are still in the MCU might be dying or retiring in the near future. 2026's Secret Wars might be the final Avengers movie for the MCU's original team of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. The movie is heavily rumored to feature heroes from the entirety of Marvel's live-action history, such as Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man, the 2000s Fantastic Four cast, and the original Avengers who died/ retired.

Which Original Avengers Are Still Around In The MCU

Avengers: Endgame saw the final adventure of the original MCU Avengers together, barring a possible comeback of some members through the multiverse in either of the two upcoming Avengers movies. Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow sacrificed herself to save the life of Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye, and let the Avengers retrieve the Soul Stone — a major step in the direction of resurrecting the population that was snapped away by Thanos. There can be no revival after Tony Stark's Avengers: Endgame death, otherwise, it would undercut the sacrifice of the hero who started the MCU all the way back in 2008. Tony and Natasha's deaths shifted the MCU's axis.

Along with the exit of two of Marvel's most beloved stars, was the retirement for Chris Evans' Steve Rogers as Captain America. The First Avenger got his storybook ending, by going back in time to rekindle his romance with Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter. Avengers: Endgame's final scene being Steve and Peggy finally getting their dance together was one of the most beautiful moments in the MCU, and a great final chapter for the original Avengers team. However, half of the original Avengers are still in the MCU. Avengers: Endgame killed two original heroes, and saw Captain America retire, but Thor, Hulk, and Hawkeye have appeared in MCU projects since.

How The Remaining Avengers Could Be Phased Out

street level heroes in the mcu she-hulk daredevil spider-man and kate bishop as hawkeye

The three remaining original Avengers in the MCU have already found their possible replacements. Each of the three heroes — Thor, Hulk, and Hawkeye — has met another MCU character who can continue their legacy. As the MCU began an unprecedented expansion with the help of Disney+, two series have helped figure out the future of Clint Barton and Bruce Banner. Hawkeye brought Renner's hero out of retirement to be paired with Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop, a charismatic young archer, who learned how to become a hero through watching Clint. Kate Bishop training with Hawkeye sets up a bright MCU future for her.

With Clint Barton likely stepping away in favor of his trainee Kate Bishop becoming the new Hawkeye, then a similar fate might befall the Hulk. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law introduced audiences to Tatiana Maslany's Jennifer Walters, Bruce Banner's cousin, who becomes the She-Hulk after coming into contact with Hulk's blood, following a car accident. She-Hulk provides a continuation of the Hulk's MCU story through a fresh point of view. Thor: Love and Thunder also set up a future where Chris Hemsworth's Thor bows out of the MCU soon. Natalie Portman's Jane Foster can return as the Mighty Thor from Valhalla, after Avengers 5 possibly has Kang kill Thor.

Who The Next Avengers Team May Include

Iger confirming that the Avengers are soon going to be made up of completely new members, allied to the MCU introducing many exciting new heroes throughout Phase 4, gives a good idea of whom the New Avengers should be. Captain America: New World Order will cement Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, after Steve Rogers himself chose him to continue with the hero's legacy. He can be joined by new heroes like She-Hulk and Moon Knight. MCU mainstays such as Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Shuri as Black Panther, Spider-Man, and now Daredevil, should also take over as the new Avengers team of the MCU.

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Source: Deadline