While Avengers: Endgame undid many of the deaths caused by the Decimation, there were still heavy consequences for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Thanos’ war against the Avengers wasn’t without its casualties, calling the fate of the team’s future into question. Many heroes went on their last adventures, and many new heroes rose to the challenge.
Looking at the future of the MCU, it’s clear that Avengers: Endgame is the end of a major arc. Going forward, the team’s massive roster will be very different. Here are 5 Avengers who remain and 5 who will be replaced after the major events of Avengers: Endgame. Spoilers for the film follow.
REMAIN - THOR
Thor went through a radical shift in Avengers: Endgame. After cutting off Thanos’ head, he was never the same, as he could never restore everything that he lost. After picking up Stormbreaker and Mjolnir once more, he was ready to battle the Mad Titan and come out on top. At the end of the film, Thor decided to leave the leadership of New Asgard into Valkyrie’s hands, deciding to travel the cosmos with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite his change in weight, Thor proved to still be one of the most powerful Avengers. Who knows when we’ll see him next?
REPLACED - IRON MAN
It was heavily theorized that either Iron Man or Captain America would meet their end in Avengers: Endgame. It turns out that the MCU started with Iron Man, so it would end with him too. Taking the Infinity Gauntlet in his own hands, Tony snapped his fingers to wipe away Thanos and his entire army.
However, the power took its toll on Tony, costing him his life. Moving forward, there are a few people who could take on the Iron Man mantle. Tony and Pepper’s daughter, Morgan, could be a great fit when she’s older. Pepper also has her Rescue armor.
REMAIN - HULK
After the problems Bruce Banner and Hulk had in Avengers: Infinity War, they decided to put their issues aside and form a being that was the best of both worlds. Banner now had his brains and the Hulk’s body. The two were more potent than ever before, but they were at a serious risk. When the Stark’s Infinity Gauntlet was formed initially, Hulk was the one who used it to bring everyone back. It destroyed his arm in the process, but he lived to fight another day. Going forward, it’s likely we’ll see Hulk help out new Avengers from time to time.
REPLACED - CAPTAIN AMERICA
Instead of perishing at the hands of the Mad Titan, Captain America got a happy ending. After putting the Infinity Stones all back where they belonged, Cap made his way back to World War II and gave Peggy Carter that dance he promised her. Cap lived a full life, and returned to the present day an old yet fulfilled man.
He brought his old vibranium shield with him, which he gave to Sam Wilson. This seemed like confirmation that Wilson would be the next Captain America going forward. At the very least, we’re happy that Steve got to live the life he sacrificed.
REMAIN - RONIN
After Hawkeye’s family disappeared in the Decimation, he became a brutal vigilante who destroyed crime lords around the world called Ronin. He was eventually called on to join the Avengers for one last hurrah, which led him and Black Widow to the Soul Stone. He was going to throw himself over the cliff to acquire the Soul Stone, but Black Widow pulled a fast one on him. She ended her own life so that Ronin could be with his family again. After the tragedy of seeing his loved ones gone, it’s nice to see him finally get what he’d lost for five years.
REPLACED - GAMORA
Gamora met a cruel fate in Avengers: Infinity War. On Thanos’ quest to gain the Infinity Stones, he had to throw Gamora off a cliff in Vormir to gain the Soul Stone. She perished, but there was a possibility that she could come back in Avengers: Endgame. The answer is yes and no. The Gamora we knew, who had been through both Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 is gone for good. The Gamora from before the events of Guardians of the Galaxy is alive and well, though. It seems that Peter Quill is going to exhaust a lot of effort to find and reintroduce her to the team.
REMAIN - WAR MACHINE
War Machine was one of the first characters in the MCU. Appearing back in Iron Man, he gained the War Machine status in Iron Man 2 and Avenger status in Avengers: Age of Ultron. He went through a lot since then, losing the use of his legs and relying more on Tony’s technology. In Avengers: Endgame, there was a possibility that War Machine could’ve met a cruel fate. However, he pushed through at every circumstance. It’s possible that, going forward, he could uphold the legacy of his best friend. He could perhaps even fill the role for a time, honoring Tony Stark in the process.
REPLACED - HAWKEYE
As we know it, Hawkeye is gone. After losing his family, Clint Barton changed and can never go back. However, the Hawkeye mantle could be passed on to someone else: his daughter. At the start of Avengers: Endgame, Clint is seen teaching his daughter how to shoot a bow and arrow.
He lovingly refers to her as Hawkeye when she hits a target. While Clint may not be returning to the movies for a while, it’s possible that his daughter could pick up where he left off and fill the archer role in the Avengers roster. One can only imagine how Clint would react.
REMAIN - ANT-MAN
Avengers: Endgame marked the first appearance of Ant-Man in an Avengers film. He certainly had his work cut out for him as well. Working with the rest of the team to gain the Infinity Stones from different periods in time, Ant-Man was in for the fight of his life. He also took a missile from Thanos’ ship nearly point blank. Despite the assault from the Mad Titan, Ant-Man pulled through. That said, he was met by a five-years-older Cassie Lang. This could be setting up a potential trio featuring him, Wasp, and his daughter all working together as a team.
REPLACED - BLACK WIDOW
As the Avengers split up to retrieve the Infinity Stones, Hawkeye and Black Widow made their way to Vormir. Viewers knew that getting the Soul Stone required a sacrifice: a soul for a soul. In the end, it was Black Widow who hurled herself off the cliff so that Hawkeye could bring the Soul Stone back. While it will be hard to replace a character like Black Widow, she still served a crucial role that will need to be filled by someone else. In Avengers: Endgame, she was the one who organized the various Avenger teams for five years and kept reports around the world. Now, someone new will have to step up.
