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As Captain America (Chris Evans) points out in Avengers: Endgame, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes faced the “fight of [their] lives” against Thanos (Josh Brolin). After all, few film franchises introduce time travel so late and pull it off so successfully. Yet the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) persists. But with the original Avengers largely out, who will rise to take their places?

Kevin Feige, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Mark Ruffalo
Kevin Feige, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Mark Ruffalo | Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

‘Avengers: Endgame’ marked the end of an era for the MCU

Avengers: Endgame wasn’t just the penultimate entry of Phase 3 of the MCU. The film marked the climactic chapter of what Marvel Studios has since dubbed “the Infinity Saga.” Since 2012’s The Avengers, Thanos has remained a looming threat. So directors Joe and Anthony Russo needed to make good on those stakes when the final battle came. And boy, did they.

Both Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) paid the ultimate price. Captain America (Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) essentially retired from the team to pursue other paths. And Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) will presumably pass the torch to new additions She-Hulk and Kate Bishop on Disney+ series.

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will look very different in their next movie

That’s not to say there are no major heroes still awaiting their official Avengers membership cards. Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) are all in line for sequels in the next couple of years. So they are easy shoo-ins for slots on whatever the next version of the team will be.

Now a digital artist with the Instagram username “empyre.art” shared their take on what “The New Avengers” could look like. In addition to the above-mentioned heroes, the line-up carries over previous Avengers like Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Wasp (Evangeline Lilly), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), and Sam Wilson aka the new Captain America (Anthony Mackie).

All of these heroes — if they’re still active in the MCU by the time Avengers 5 comes around — are likely inclusions. But the fan-made poster also includes a couple brand-new heroes. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is set to become Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder. And while nothing has been announced, rumors has it Keanu Reeves could play the MCU’s Ghost Rider.

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When will ‘Avengers 5’ hit theaters?

Of course, this image is based purely on speculation. Marvel Studios has not yet announced plans for a fifth Avengers movie. With Phase 4 focusing more on resetting the stakes, such a project doesn’t appear to be a priority for the MCU right now.

Considering how epic the two-part fight against Thanos was, perhaps the MCU needs a very different kind of superhero team right now. Then, when the time is right, the Avengers can re-assemble to face down Kang the Conqueror or another Big Bad. Perhaps with Ghost Rider along for the ride.

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