15 Avengers Who Can Return For Kang Dynasty & Secret Wars

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Several of the MCU's Avengers could return in Phase 6's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. First announced by Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige at SDCC 2022, the Multiverse Saga is set to culminate in two epic Avengers projects, which are not only expected to mark the formation of a new Avengers team in the MCU but also see the highly-anticipated return of some of Earth's previous Mightiest Heroes. Not much is yet known about the events of The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, but the films' heroic rosters are speculated to top that of even Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame in the MCU's Infinity Saga.
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Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is scheduled for release on May 1, 2026. The film will be directed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania's Jeff Loveness, and it is expected to pit the MCU's new team of Avengers against Kang the Conqueror. While little is known about The Kang Dynasty, even less has been revealed about Avengers: Secret Wars, which is set for release on May 7, 2027. Loki and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Michael Waldron is penning the script, and Secret Wars has been heavily rumored to be bringing back several absent MCU heroes.
15 Scott Lang, A.K.A. Ant-Man

Paul Rudd debuted as Scott Lang in 2015's Ant-Man and has since gone on to have a variety of adventures in the MCU and become a valued member of the Avengers during Avengers: Endgame. It was Scott's expertise of the Quantum Realm that allowed Earth's Mightiest Heroes to embark on the Time Heist and retrieve the Infinity Stones. After Scott's experience battling Kang the Conqueror in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, he'll surely be included in Phase 6's Avengers films. He is, so far, the only member of the Avengers who has proven himself worthy against Kang, so he will be a valuable asset to the team in Phase 6.
14 Sam Wilson, A.K.A. Captain America

After being gifted the Captain America mantle and shield at the end of Avengers: Endgame, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson officially embraced his new role in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. While he was still operating as the MCU's Falcon, Steve Rogers' Captain America was featured as the leader of the Avengers, so it's possible that Wilson could assume this role in the MCU's Phase 6. With no superhuman powers to speak of, however, it's likely that the MCU's new Captain America could take a back seat in the Avengers team, allowing others to lead while he acts as the human support of the group.
13 Peter Parker, A.K.A. Spider-Man

Spider-Man is a shoo-in for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, particularly since Marvel Studios and Sony have already confirmed the development of Spider-Man 4 in the MCU. Tom Holland is set to reprise the role of Peter Parker, who has grown a lot since his debut in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, in which he sided with Team Iron Man and became a staunch mentee of the armored Avenger. After the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, nobody on Earth remembers who Peter Parker is, but that will surely change during Spider-Man 4 and Phase 6's Avengers films, as Spider-Man is expected to play a major role in these upcoming projects.
12 Bruce Banner, A.K.A. The Hulk

Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner has had one of the most transformative storylines over the course of the MCU, taking him from the angry and simple Hulk to the Smart Hulk seen in Avengers: Endgame and Phase 4's She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Many have suspected that Marvel Studios may be developing a solo World War Hulk project for the MCU, which would see the Hulk return to his angry form and wreak havoc on Earth. As one of the MCU's oldest surviving heroes, the Hulk's future after the Multiverse Saga is unclear, so it's possible that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars could see him meet his demise.
11 Thor

After the disappointing reaction to Phase 4's Thor: Love & Thunder, Chris Hemsworth's future as Thor in the MCU is uncertain. Even so, it's likely the original Avenger will return for The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, particularly since his adoptive brother Loki is becoming an expert on Kang the Conqueror and his multitude of variants. A reunion between Thor and Loki in the MCU's Phase 6 would be the perfect way to perhaps bring a satisfying conclusion to Thor's MCU journey. Since Avengers: Secret Wars is expected to adapt 2015's Secret Wars event from Marvel Comics, it's possible Phase 6's final film could even debut the Thor Corps.
10 Rocket Raccoon

Although usually depicted as an original member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the team's new Captain after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Rocket Raccoon became a member of the Avengers during Endgame's five-year Blip. He and Nebula worked with the Avengers to protect those in need after Thanos' snap. Since a new Guardians of the Galaxy team has been established in the MCU, it's possible that they could have a part to play in the epic crossover events of The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars, which ensures Bradley Cooper's return as the cybernetically-enhanced raccoon.
9 James "Rhodey" Rhodes, A.K.A. War Machine

Don Cheadle appeared as James "Rhodey" Rhodes in Iron Man 2, taking over the role from Terrence Howard, and has gone on to have several small appearances in the MCU as Tony Stark's right-hand-man. Most recently, Rhodey has appeared in Secret Invasion on Disney+, now shown to be working closely with President Ritson during the Skrull rebellion. Rhodey's story is set to continue in Marvel Studios' Armor Wars, which will mark his first solo project in the MCU, and could help to set up the events of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, perhaps seeing Rhodey, a.k.a. War Machine, as an official member of the team.
8 Carol Danvers, A.K.A. Captain Marvel

Brie Larson's Carol Danvers is set to embark on her own team-up adventure in Phase 5's The Marvels, which will see Captain Marvel join forces with Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, on an epic cosmic mission. The 2023 project could tease the Marvels' involvement in Phase 6's The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. Kang the Conqueror is often depicted as a cosmic threat thanks to his time-traveling and reality-hopping abilities, so there may be no better hero to pit him against than Captain Marvel herself. Danvers was only briefly seen working with the Avengers in Endgame, so Phase 6 could gift her an even bigger role.
7 Clint Barton, A.K.A. Hawkeye

One of only three of the surviving original Avengers, Clint Barton's return in the MCU's Phase 6 is all but inevitable. After taking Kate Bishop under his wing in Phase 4's Hawkeye, not only did Jeremy Renner's Avenger help to set up a potential Young Avengers project in the MCU but also secured himself as an ever-present and valuable member of the Avengers team. It's unclear where Hawkeye will appear in the MCU next, but it's likely he'll be featured among the MCU's new Avengers team in The Kang Dynasty and could have a major role to play in Avengers: Secret Wars, especially if deceased heroes return to the franchise.
6 Natasha Romanoff, A.K.A. Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson's return as the MCU's Black Widow could occur during Avengers: Secret Wars, as an incursion is expected to see universes collide, marking the potential returns of several deceased MCU characters. Natasha Romanoff's return in Secret Wars would create the opportunity for some excellent and tender moments with Clint Barton, as the former sacrificed herself in Avengers: Endgame to save the latter and allow the Avengers to complete their mission. This could also provide the best chance for Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova to be fully integrated into the MCU's Avengers team, as her sister could return from the dead to provide her with some powerful guidance.
5 White Vision

Paul Bettany's Vision was killed by Thanos during Avengers: Infinity War, but the vibranium synthezoid returned in WandaVision, both as a construct of the Scarlet Witch's Hex and in his rebuilt form of White Vision. Although he seemed to vanish to destinations unknown in WandaVision, White Vision is set to make his next MCU appearance in Vision Quest, which can help to restore him back to the fan-favorite Vision. Vision is an incredibly powerful asset to the Avengers team in the MCU, so The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars would be lacking without his inclusion, though he still has a lot of growth to do before the MCU's Phase 6.
4 Wanda Maximoff, A.K.A. Scarlet Witch

Phase 4 marked some major changes for Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff, as she fully embraced her identity of the Scarlet Witch in WandaVision and became a full-fledged villain in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Although the latter seemed to end with Wanda's sacrifice, the Scarlet Witch's return to the MCU has been heavily speculated, suggesting she'll likely find a way to beat death. The Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful characters both in the MCU and in Marvel Comics, and since both she and Kang the Conqueror are Nexus beings in the MCU, a battle between the pair would be a sight to behold.
3 Pietro Maximoff, A.K.A. Quicksilver

Pietro Maximoff is perhaps the shortest-lived member of the Avengers, as he both debuted and died during the 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron. Even so, the Quicksilver tease in WandaVision, and the multiversal potential of Avengers: Secret Wars, creates the perfect opportunity to bring back Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Pietro, the Scarlet Witch's brother. Taylor-Johnson is set to portray the titular antihero in Sony's Kraven the Hunter in 2023, so it's unclear what this might mean for his future as the MCU's Quicksilver, but it would be great to see him reprise the role and gift his character some redemption after his time was cut short in Age of Ultron.
2 Steve Rogers, A.K.A. Captain America

Avengers: Secret Wars has been rumored to be bringing characters from Fox's, Sony's, and Marvel Studios' histories into the MCU, and this includes the deceased members of the original Avengers. Chris Evans retired the role of Steve Rogers in Avengers: Endgame after portraying the character for eight years since 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger. Even so, there have been calls for his return ever since his departure, and Avengers: Secret Wars could provide the perfect opportunity. Whether the young and healthy Captain America returns in the MCU's Phase 6 or whether the elderly Steve Rogers makes further appearances is yet to be seen.
1 Tony Stark, A.K.A. Iron Man

Perhaps the most rumored returning character is Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man. Robert Downey Jr. helped to birth the MCU with 2008's Iron Man and portrayed the character for eleven years until Iron Man sacrificed himself in Avengers: Endgame. Though he went out on a high, many are desperate for Iron Man to return. He was rumored to make an appearance in Multiverse of Madness - which didn't come to fruition, and he could potentially appear in Armor Wars. However, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars would certainly provide the most impactful return for Iron Man, as he could once again help the Avengers to save the universe.
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