One of the many MCU Disney+ projects coming in the near future could be Agents of Atlas, a screwball team of Asian superheroes led by Jimmy Woo. The conclusion of Riri Williams as the next armored hero Ironheart, Sam Wilson as the next Captain America, and Yelena Belova as the next Black Widow. Besides these legacy characters, other MCU heroes may assemble their own teams, such as the Young Avengers, the Thunderbolts, and the Agents of Atlas.
The original Agents of Atlas, which debuted in 1978's What If #9, were composed of Agent Jimmy Woo, Namor's cousin Namora, Marvel Boy a.k.a The Uranian, M-11 the Human Robot, Gorilla Man, and Venus. Jimmy Woo, who confronted his legacy as the descendant of Genghis Khan, worked with the villainous Atlas Foundation to assemble a powerful team and protect the Earth. While the original comics have ties with relevant MCU storylines like Secret Invasion and resemble the sort of craziness Phase 4 seems to be aiming for, they might still feel dated nowadays. The most evident remnant of the original team's archaic origins is the villain with racist roots "Yellow Claw," for instance.
Fortunately, the MCU already has plenty of source material available to bring an updated Agents of Atlas TV show to the screen. During the 2019 War of the Realms Marvel comics storyline, Jimmy Woo recruited "The Protectors" to create The New Agents of Atlas. A show centered on this team would materialize the representation the MCU and the superhero genre so desperately needs and appears to be building up to, as three major characters have already been introduced and one former member, Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel, will have her own Disney+ show soon. Here's the ideal cast of Agents of Atlas.
Randall Park as Jimmy Woo
WandaVision suggests that he could be much more than a regular FBI agent in future MCU movies and shows. With just two appearances in the MCU so far, Jimmy Woo already deserves a future MCU installment where Randall Park can display his action and comedy skills. Becoming the leader of Agents of Atlas could be just that.
Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
Stuntman Simu Liu will lead the first Asian-led superhero movie as the titular hero in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, has been one of the most important Asian characters in comic book history since his debut in 1973. He has been a member of the Heroes for Hire, the Avengers, The Protectors, and more recently, the Agents of Atlas. It's safe to say Simu Liu's MCU role will only get bigger in the future. So, a prominent presence in an Agents of Atlas show would be perfect as preparation for a slot in the ranks of the Avengers.
Ki Hong Lee as Brawn (Amadeus Cho)
Although the Agents of Atlas know him as Brawn, the Gamma-irradiated genius replace the MCU's Hulk when Mark Ruffalo retires Bruce Banner.
Tiffany Espensen as Silk (Cindy Moon)
Although it's not so evident, X-Men: Apocalypse actor Lana Condor.
Liza Soberano as Wave (Pearl Pangan)
Pearl Pangan, better known as Wave, is one of the most recent characters to be introduced to the main Marvel continuity. Writer Greg Pak based her on Filipina model Nadina Lustre and made her one of the most powerful aquatic characters in Marvel Comics, filling the original role of Namora within the Agents of Atlas. The character has been so well-received that fans have petitioned Marvel to give Wave her own TV show, and an Agents of Atlas show could be her first step to become an Avenger. If Marvel Studios doesn't go with Nadina Lustre, the rising star Liza Soberano, who starred in the romantic drama Forevermore and showcased her action chops in the fantasy show Bagani, should bring Pearl Pangan to life.
Park Shin-Hye as White Fox (Ami Han)
South Korean antihero Ami Han is perhaps the most brutal member of the Agents of Atlas. Under the White Fox moniker, the shape-shifting demon fox hunts men down and eats their hearts and has even tried to betray Black Widow to steal power from the Celestials. Stairway to Heaven actor Park Shin-Hye has demonstrated an ideal balance of innocence and ferocity with her outstanding performance in Netflix's 2020 zombie hit #Alive and the unnerving thriller Call. White Fox in Agents of Atlas would be her opportunity to enter the superhero genre and Hollywood as a whole.
Lee Hye-Ri as Luna Snow (Seol Hee)
K-pop idol Seol Hee adopted the stage name Luna before she got cryokinetic abilities and became the superhero Luna Snow. Not long after, she befriended White Fox and Crescent before falling in love with Brawn and ing the Agents of Atlas in multiple battles while she pursued her career as a K-pop artist. Real-life K-pop idol Lee Hye-Ri, also known as Hyeri, starred in Reply 1988, one of the highest-rated K-dramas ever. Hyeri was also a member of the famous K-pop group Girl's Day, so the only thing she needs to become Luna Snow is to get real cryokinetic powers or get cast in an Agents of Atlas show.
Leo Wu as Sword Master (Lin Lie)
Sword Master is one of Marvel's most unique comic books. It follows Lin Lie, a young Chinese warrior who seeks answers about his father and brother's disappearance, aided by the magical Sword of Fu Xi, which lets him slay demons like a knife through hot butter. Leo Wu Lei, known in China as "Nation's Little Brother," has had a lengthy career despite his young age. Some of his most Marvel-like roles have been as the deity Nezha in The Romance of the Condor Heroes, Ruyi in Asura, and Xiao Yan in Battle Through the Heavens. A brief glimpse at his performance as the latter is all it takes to picture him as the perfect Sword Master in an Agents of Atlas.
Kim Su-An As Crescent (Dan Bi)
Crescent is the youngest member of the Agents of Atlas. Her real name is Dan Bi, and she's the 10-year-old daughter of an antique dealer who provides the sorceress Morgan Le Fay with mystical artifacts. One day, Dan Bi found a mysterious bear mask that allowed her to summon the bear Io, a loyal Half-Moon spirit who swore to protect her after forming a bond with her. Train to Busan actor Kim Su-an has displayed her impressive acting chops in the fantasy movie Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds, the period action film The Battleship Island, and the moving drama Field Day. Another option Marvel Studios should also consider is Shin Rin Ah, who starred in the 2017 horror movie The Mimic.
Guan Xiaotong as Aero (Lei Ling)
The Shanghai architect Lei Ling is the secret identity of Aero, an elemental hero with the ability to manipulate air to her will. She's extremely intelligent and the most experienced hero in the New Agents of Atlas. She should be portrayed by Guan Xiaotong, a talented actor known for her performances in Shadow, Sweet Combat, and Untouchable Lovers. Like Lei Ling, Guan Xiaotong has been developed her talent from a very young age and has achieved impressive career feats like placing first in the Chinese College Entrance Examinations and being constantly lauded by Forbes China.
WandaVision has cemented Jimmy Woo as an MCU character with lots of potential. It also introduced the audience to Thor: The Dark World villain Malekith redeem himself and start the War of the Realms. Whatever route the MCU chooses to gather the Agents of Atlas together, the basis for their introduction already exists. Given that almost every Avengers-level threat has been fought by American heroes (is New York the center of the universe?), it's time for these heroes to prove that the MCU's version of Earth is as richly diverse and full of exciting stories and interesting personalities as the real world.
