The Avengers have not reunited in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) yet, and there is a good reason for that. Avengers: Endgame was the result of 11 years of storytelling. The Infinity Saga took three phases to introduce lesser-known comic book characters, showcase their strengths, and lead them to an action-packed and emotional finale.
The original team had six members, but later sequels brought in more heroes, eventually including almost every super-powered being in the MCU. Since Endgame, two more phases have passed, with 12 films and 12 Disney+ series. Even after all of this, no one has called out the famous battle cry, “Avengers Assemble!” However, this delay makes sense.
During the Infinity Saga, the heroes barely had time to rest. Now, Phases 4 and 5 focus on their personal growth, grief, and self-discovery. But what exactly has happened to each Avenger since the battle against Thanos?
Also Read: Captain America: Brave New World End-Credits Scene Teases a Multiversal War
The Founding Avengers Are Still on Their Own Journeys
The original Avengers continue to play important roles, even though they are not working as a team. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor became the first hero to star in a fourth solo film. In Thor: Love and Thunder, he overcame personal struggles and shared his powers briefly with Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman.
He also decided to adopt Love, the daughter of Gorr the God Butcher. This shows he has found a new purpose both as a hero and as a father.
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk returned in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, where he reunited with the Sakaarans from Thor: Ragnarok. Two major events in this story will impact the future of the MCU. First, his cousin Jennifer Walters, played by Tatiana Maslany, gained gamma-based powers. Second, Hulk discovered he has a son, Skaar, played by Wil Deusner.
Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye proved that his greatest challenge is retirement. He has tried and failed multiple times to leave his heroic life behind. In Hawkeye, a Christmas-themed series, he revisited his past as Ronin and worked to atone for his past actions. Along the way, he met Kate Bishop, played by Hailee Steinfeld. Seeing her potential, he began to pass his skills and knowledge on to her.
Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff sacrificed herself in Endgame, but her story continued through Black Widow. In this film, the Black Widow mantle was unofficially passed to her sister, Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh. Yelena returned after The Blip and had to face the reality of Natasha’s death.
Although no one has replaced Tony Stark as Iron Man, a new hero has emerged. Riri Williams, played by Dominique Thorne, made her debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She built an advanced suit using Wakandan technology, showing that Iron Man’s legacy continues through innovation.
The founding Avengers have moved forward with their lives, proving they are more than just Earth’s mightiest heroes. Yelena and Riri are set to take center stage in upcoming projects like Thunderbolts and Ironheart.
Newer Avengers Have Struggled Since Endgame
The Avengers who joined later have also faced difficulties after Endgame.
Tom Holland’s Spider-Man went through a painful loss in Spider-Man: No Way Home. After grieving his mentor, Tony Stark, he faced another tragedy when Aunt May, played by Marisa Tomei, died. To fix the multiversal chaos he caused, Peter had to erase himself from the memories of his loved ones. Now, he is alone, starting over without support.
The Guardians of the Galaxy have gone through major changes. They lost Gamora, played by Zoë Saldaña, but a past version of her still exists in the MCU. Peter Quill, played by Chris Pratt, decided to leave the team and reconnect with his human roots on Earth. Meanwhile, the rest of the team found new leadership under Rocket Raccoon.
Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel joined forces with Ms. Marvel, played by Iman Vellani, and Monica Rambeau, played by Teyonah Parris, in The Marvels. Together, they stopped a cosmic war and found a home for the Skrulls. Carol Danvers finally decided to return to Earth after years away.
Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff faced extreme hardships. She created a reality where she had a family, only to lose it. Later, the Darkhold corrupted her, leading her to a dangerous path in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Her actions resulted in a major multiversal incident, and the consequences remain unclear.
Letitia Wright’s Shuri suffered heavy losses. She lost her brother, T’Challa, and her mother, Ramonda. She took on the mantle of Black Panther and successfully ended a conflict with Talokan.
Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man and Evangeline Lilly’s Wasp fought a powerful version of Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Although they defeated him, Kang’s presence still looms over the future. However, actor Jonathan Majors’ legal issues have created uncertainty around how Kang’s story will continue.
These Avengers have faced intense emotional challenges since Endgame, and their eventual reunion will likely not be smooth.
New Heroes Are Rising to Face Future Threats
Many new heroes have appeared in the Multiverse Saga, and some of them are expected to join the Avengers in upcoming films.
The Eternals introduced a group of immortal warriors who could become allies to the Avengers in the future. Although their next appearance is unknown, they may return when a major crisis occurs.
Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, discovered the power of the Ten Rings. The post-credits scene in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hinted that these rings are connected to a larger mystery, which has yet to be shown.
New heroes with mystical and street-level abilities have also entered the MCU. Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight combined multiple personalities with the powers of the god Khonshu. Gael García Bernal starred in Werewolf by Night, introducing the MCU’s darker supernatural side.
Alaqua Cox’s Echo embraced her Native American heritage while showcasing her unique abilities. Meanwhile, Charlie Cox’s Daredevil officially joined the MCU, making appearances in Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk, and Echo. He is set to return in Daredevil: Born Again, and many fans hope he will eventually fight alongside the Avengers.
Why Hasn’t Sam Wilson Brought the Avengers Back Together?
The role of Captain America now belongs to Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie. However, he has not yet reassembled the Avengers.
By the time of Captain America: Brave New World, Sam still feels uncertain about fully embracing the role. If he does not see himself as worthy of the mantle, he cannot lead a team.
Despite his doubts, he successfully prevents a global war and brings President Ross, played by Harrison Ford, to justice. This victory, along with a mysterious meeting with Samuel Stearns, suggests that Sam will soon realize the Avengers must reunite to face a greater threat.
Although the MCU has kept its heroes apart, their personal struggles make their stories more meaningful. The Multiverse Saga may not feel as interconnected as the Infinity Saga, but hope remains. Now that Sam understands what is at stake, he will take action. When the Avengers finally reunite, his voice will echo across the multiverse.
