Kevin Feige just revealed what the Avengers are up to in the MCU, and if you were hoping for a clear answer, well… you’re out of luck. Instead, his comments seem to confirm that the team is effectively out of commission. That revelation leaves a major question hanging over Captain America: Brave New World—and possibly Avengers: Doomsday down the line.
The Avengers Are “Not Currently Active”
The question of where the Avengers have been since Endgame has loomed large. We’ve seen some of the remaining heroes here and there, but no sign of an active team. Now, in an official press release for Brave New World, Feige finally gave some insight:
“In Captain America: Brave New World Sam Wilson is Captain America, and he has made the decision to unabashedly become Captain America. But what does it mean to be Captain America when you’re not a super soldier, which we definitively know Sam Wilson is not, and in a world where the Avengers are not currently active?”
That last part—”the Avengers are not currently active”—sticks out. It suggests that, officially, the team is on ice. Whether that means a formal disbanding or just an extended hiatus isn’t clear. Either way, Earth’s biggest threats are, for now, going unchecked by a unified force.
So, Where Did Everybody Go?
We already knew that the Avengers were stretched thin post-Endgame. The team lost Iron Man and Black Widow, while Steve Rogers left under mysterious circumstances. Others, like Captain Marvel and Thor, have been dealing with cosmic threats. And then there’s Scarlet Witch, who may or may not be dead, depending on how you interpret Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
That still leaves a handful of potential Avengers:
- The Hulk – Last seen introducing his son, Skaar, in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. His status remains murky.
- Ant-Man – Barely survived Quantumania, but his hero days aren’t necessarily over.
- Hawkeye – Still around, though possibly retired. Kate Bishop might take his place.
- Doctor Strange – Preoccupied with incursions and multiversal chaos.
- Spider-Man – Technically still active, but nobody remembers who he is.
There’s no real indication that any of these heroes have been working together, and now Feige is outright saying they’re not. That leaves a vacuum for threats like The Leader (rumored to be a major villain in Brave New World) to exploit.
What This Means for Avengers: Doomsday
Feige’s comments also raise the stakes for Avengers: Doomsday, the 2026 blockbuster that will need to assemble a new iteration of the team. If the Avengers are inactive now, that means someone—maybe Sam Wilson—will have to bring them back together.
Who’s actually on the roster remains a mystery. Likely candidates include:
- Sam Wilson’s Captain America – The new leader of the Avengers?
- The Hulk – If he’s not too busy being a dad.
- Captain Marvel – A heavy hitter, if she’s on Earth long enough.
- Doctor Strange – A multiverse expert, which will probably be important.
Then there’s the possibility of newer heroes joining the ranks, such as Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, or even the Fantastic Four, depending on when they arrive in the MCU timeline.
Could Thunderbolts Fill the Gap?
Another upcoming movie that might provide answers is Thunderbolts, slated for release in May 2025. The film focuses on a government-sanctioned team of antiheroes, including Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, and U.S. Agent. With the Avengers inactive, could they be the world’s temporary substitute?
It wouldn’t be the first time Marvel’s cinematic universe played with the idea of a replacement team. However, Thunderbolts are far from the Avengers in terms of moral clarity. If they become the world’s de facto superhero team, it could lead to the kind of chaos that demands a true Avengers comeback.
When Will We See the Avengers Together Again?
With Avengers: The Kang Dynasty pushed back to 2026 (now renamed Avengers: Doomsday), there’s a long wait before the team officially reforms. The big question is whether Brave New World, Thunderbolts, or any upcoming MCU project will lay the groundwork.
Until then, it looks like Marvel is keeping its cards close to the chest. Fans hoping for the Avengers to make a surprise appearance in Brave New World might need to temper their expectations. If Feige’s words are anything to go by, the team is still years away from making a proper comeback.
