The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been quietly-and sometimes not-so-quietly-planting seeds for the Young Avengers for years. Between scattered cameos, end-credit surprises, and Disney+ setups, it’s clear Marvel is preparing for a new generation of heroes. After The Marvels wrapped up with a major Young Avengers tease, the direction of the MCU’s future seems pretty obvious: the kids are taking over. They’re younger, more flawed, more chaotic-and let’s face it, way easier to relate to than a genius billionaire or a man trying to speed-run seven decades of missed pop culture.
And now, the latest rumour says their official debut won’t be on the big screen, but on Disney+. Honestly, it makes perfect sense. Trying to introduce a dozen new teenage heroes in one movie would be a narrative traffic jam. A series gives everyone space to grow, screw up, argue, bond, and figure out who’s in charge. Plus, after The Marvels underwhelmed at the box office, Marvel seems way more willing to let fresh characters earn audience love through slower, serialised storytelling. Streaming gives the studio room to flesh out both the team and their threats without rushing, and right now, that might just be what the MCU needs. So who’s actually lining up for this long-teased team? Here are the 10 characters most likely to suit up for the MCU’s Young Avengers, based on their current storylines, comic history, and, of course, whether they’d be hilarious in a group chat together.
10. Riri Williams (Ironheart)
Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams burst onto the scene during Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and already has her own series in the pipeline. In the comics, Riri is a prodigy who builds her own suit and then becomes Ironheart, basically Tony Stark’s successor. While she is mostly associated with the Champions, the MCU seems to be angling Riri toward a bigger role. She’s young, brilliant, and Marvel clearly wants her in the spotlight. If the Young Avengers need someone who can build them a weapon, or hack a satellite, or jury-rig a suit mid-battle, Riri is the obvious pick.
9. Harley Keener
Remember that kid who helped Tony Stark charge his suit in Iron Man 3? Yep, Harley Keener. Ty Simpkins even came back for Tony’s funeral in Endgame, which wasn’t some throwaway cameo. And while he hasn’t become Iron Lad comic book counterpart to this, the MCU could still use Harley as a legacy tech hero pretty easily. It’s a long shot, but Marvel is leaning hard into nostalgia and legacy characters, so Harley could still surprise everyone.
8. Kid Loki
The immediately charming Kid Loki joined a whole crowd of other delightful Loki variants, most especially Alligator Loki, who deserves to have his own line of merch if nothing else in season one of Loki. In the comics, Kid Loki grew up to be an actual Young Avenger, using magic and mayhem to keep things interesting. He might have chosen the Void, but the multiverse is ever an open door. In case the team needs a trickster, or at least someone sure to stir drama, Kid Loki is a perfect addition.
7. Skaar
In the She-Hulk finale, Bruce Banner casually introduced his son, Skaar, and the MCU fandom collectively did a double-take. Played by Wil Deusner, Skaar comes from a wild comic background. He’s the son of Hulk and the alien Caiera and has enough raw power to level a building. He’s traditionally more of an antihero, even a member of the Dark Avengers, but his age and story potential make him a strong candidate for this young team. Plus, every group needs a wild card with anger issues.
6. America Chavez
Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez debuted in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, bringing multiversal star-punching to the MCU. In the comics, she’s one of the Young Avengers’ heavy hitters and a natural leader. In the MCU, she’s still training, still learning, and has enormous potential. With her ability to jump between universes, she’d be a major asset, and Gomez has said she’d love to team up with other young heroes.
5. Billy Maximoff (Wiccan)
Billy Wiccan is Wanda’s magically gifted son, first seen in WandaVision and now reintroduced in Agatha All Along, played by Joe Locke. In the comics, he’s a founding Young Avenger and part of one of Marvel’s most iconic couples. Now inhabiting the body of William Kaplan, Billy is searching for his brother, which sets up the perfect emotional foundation for him to join the team. Expect magic, heartbreak, and a lot of destiny talk.
4. Tommy Maximoff (Speed)
Billy’s twin, Tommy, has Quicksilver-like powers and was introduced in WandaVision. His fate seemed sealed until Agatha All Along teased a possible return. Reunited with his twin, the Young Avengers have a speedster with attitude, snark, and zero patience. Tommy’s connection to Wanda and Vision gives the MCU’s next generation some hefty lineage.
3. Cassie Lang (Stature/Stinger)
Cassie Lang has been in the MCU since she was tiny, but Kathryn Newton’s Quantumania version finally stepped into the superhero world. In the comics, Cassie grows- literally-into the hero Stature. MCU Cassie already has her suit, a desire to help along, and a shoutout from Kamala Khan-meaning she’s basically already being recruited. She’s likely to become the emotional anchor of the team.
2. Kate Bishop (Hawkeye)
Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop practically stole Hawkeye, bringing humour, heart, and razor-sharp aim. In the comics, she’s a leader and one of the original Young Avengers – steady, capable, and always ready with a sarcastic remark. Though it seems Ms Marvel may be doing the recruiting work in the MCU, various reports indicate Kate may ultimately be the one to lead them. With Steinfeld’s star power and Kate’s natural confidence, it would be a perfect fit.
1. Kamala Khan (Ms Marvel)
Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan is the heart of this whole operation. She’s the one who kicks off the formation of the Young Avengers in The Marvels, she’s a massive superhero nerd, and in the MCU, she’s a mutant with a power set that’s only getting bigger. Comics Kamala is more connected to the Champions, but there’s little doubt that the MCU is positioning her as the glue of this group. Vellani herself has said Kamala is meant to be the team’s moral centre and cheerleader. If anyone can rally a squad of chaotic teenagers, it’s her.
What really separates the Young Avengers from the first lineup of Avengers isn’t just their age but their perspective. They have grown up with the consequences of world-ending battles and know the cost of being a hero in a way their predecessors didn’t. They’re messy, emotional, hopeful, and still trying to figure out who they are. That’s what makes them compelling-and why fans are excited to see what they bring to the MCU.