With almost all of the Secret Avengers having been introduced into the MCU, it appears that this special ops team from the comics could be making an appearance in the future. The Secret Avengers are a team of heroes assembled to fulfill covert missions and undercover operations in the comics. Marvel is pretending that Avengers: Endgame is the final film in the Avengers saga, perhaps so they can assess the future of new teams in the MCU.
Bringing in two of the top five highest-grossing box office hauls of all time, the final two Avengers films proved to be critically and financially successful. As the MCU begins to branch out to explore solo films and new heroes, there is a risk that the high box office revenue could also drop. A new team of established Avengers would be one way to ensure the MCU's continued success.
While the Secret Avengers formula remains very similar to the core Avengers, this team was developed to sit alongside other existing teams of heroes. The goal of the Secret Avengers was for it to remain off the books to carry out covert missions across the globe, initially at the behest of Captain America and Nick Fury. However, in the later years, Clint Barton took on the role of leader. Beginning with Clint, here is a list of all Secret Avengers who have already appeared in the MCU.
A Retired Clint Barton Can Lead The Secret Avengers
Being one of the original Avengers in the MCU, Clint Barton took a long time to develop as a character. However, after his recent Hawkeye series on Disney+ and his increased role in Avengers: Endgame, audiences have seen a true depth to his character. During the events of Hawkeye, it becomes clear that he wants to stay out of danger and remove the action from his life. With Nick Fury confirmed to be off-world still and Clint Barton's extensive SHIELD experience, he is an obvious leader for a newly formed group of heroes, such as the Secret Avengers. He has worldly experience in covert operations and hands-on experience in dealing with large-scale threats, as well as being a mature leader.
Kate Bishop As Hawkeye
That leaves someone to take over the Hawkeye mantle from Clint Barton, with Kate Bishop being the obvious answer. The Hawkeye series confidently established her as a youthful new take on the character, who would be continuing the Hawkeye name into future film projects. While many have speculated a Young Avengers presence in the MCU is likely or even that Kate could appear in Ant-Man 3, it appears just as likely that Kate Bishop will fulfill a more underground role within the Secret Avengers, putting to practice much of her detective sleuthing and break-in experience showcased in Hawkeye.
Sharon Carter (After The Power Broker)
While it is clear that Sharon Carter has felt betrayed by the Avengers and the U.S. government, becoming the Power Broker in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, her villainous role will hopefully be short-lived. However, her altered perspective on life will likely see her as a more morally questionable member of the Secret Avengers. With her SHIELD training and background, Shar0n Carter could facilitate some of the team's darker objectives, such as assassinations.
Yelena Belova's Black Window
Depressingly, Natasha Romanoff as Black Widow appears to officially be a thing of the past. Still, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova in the MCU has established herself as an intriguing presence in the modern MCU, both vengeful and comedic. Upon completing her mission and likely siding with the Dark Avengers in the first instance, it is probable that she will take on the role of Black Widow within the Secret Avengers, using her extensive training to facilitate some of the more clandestine missions assigned to the team.
Scott Lang's Ant-Man
Every team of Avengers has a moral compass and Captain America has been that in the MCU so far. With him now gone, any team of heroes will have someone inevitably step up to this role. If Kate Bishop does not offer this, then Scott Lang's Ant-Man can. He fits the Secret Avengers checklist perfectly, with his criminal background and expertise at breaking and entering, but being a protective father and a member of the Avengers in Endgame, he will likely be the first to voice any concerns when the team's actions go too far, providing a moral balance.
Marc Spector & Stephen Grant As Moon Knight & Mr. Knight
Newly brought to MCU in his own Moon Knight series on Disney+, Marc Spector and his alters/other personalities formed through dissociative identity disorder are a formidable team. With a wide range of training over the years and employment as a mercenary, as well as the avatar of the Egyptian moon god, Khonshu, Marc Spector/Moon Knight seems to be a logical member of the Secret Avengers in the MCU. As was made evident in the series, Moon Knight will have his own moral conflicts, with some of his alters agreeing with darker team objectives and sometimes providing a voice of reason. His role in the MCU also sets up many other storylines.
James Rhodes' War Machine
While not becoming an official member of the Avengers until the team's second wave of recruits, War Machine has been a staple part of the MCU since Iron Man 2 and has saved countless others over his tenure. With the opportunity to utilize his military background, while playing a major part in Earth's new defense, Rhodey may be more likely to take on missions that might have pricked his moral conscience before. And with War Machine's future set up in No Way Home, he's likely to play a larger role in Phase 4 with his upcoming Armor Wars series.
Valkyrie, King Of New Asgard
Introduced in Thor: Ragnarok, Valkyrie has played a minor role in the MCU so far. Most recently, she has been seen leading the Asgardian refugees as the king of New Asgard established on Earth. There have been many rumors about her role as king and the possibility of Valkyrie getting an LGBTQ+ love interest in Thor 4. The first trailer for Thor: Love & Thunder makes Valkyrie a more prominent character. With Thor appearing to retire as a hero, a god of similar power in the form of Valkyrie seems fitting for a newly formed team of Secret Avengers.
