The MCU's Phase Four has come to an end, with the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (set to hit theaters on Feb. 17, 2023) already having fans excited about the next phase of the franchise. While Phase Four has received its fair share of criticism, it has still managed to retain some of the franchise's original spark through various projects.
Working in its favor was how the vast and ever-growing universe has kept the essence of its original Avengers at the heart of its trajectory. From Doctor Strange's slow character growth to Shuri's family burdens and wrath, some characters in Phase Four have proven to be excellent counterparts to their predecessors.
Bruce Banner - Jennifer Walters
Beyond the obvious similarity in physical green appearance and super strength, Jennifer also proves to be the counterpart to Bruce Banner through her personality and background. Much like Bruce's character, Jennifer too has impeccable timing when it comes to getting laughs from her audience, serving as the same sort of comedic relief as Bruce did, albeit she does it in both forms.
Like Bruce, she too has her temper-activated powers used against her. And despite the two majoring in different fields (with Bruce being a world-renowned scientist and Jennifer an attorney), both Bruce and Jennifer are brilliant in their careers, proving to be an equal balance of both brain and brawn. While Jennifer has yet to team up with any of the other prominent Phase Four characters, it will be worthwhile to see her play as integral of a role as Bruce did in his installments.
Tony Stark - Stephen Strange
Tony Stark is an Avenger who went through the largest character development throughout his arc, going from a selfish and entitled billionaire playboy to one of the most ired superheroes within the team. Doctor Stephen Strange's growth in Phase Four bears many resemblances with Tony's in this way.
Both characters have been shown to encounter issues in their romantic lives, realizing how much their colleagues mean to them and the importance love has in their busy lives. Like Tony, Stephen also finds himself going from an unpleasant and arrogant amateur to someone others can look up to, showing the same mentorship and affection toward America as Tony did to Peter. Plus, both prove themselves to be heroes that will stop at nothing to do what's right for the universe(s). Not to mention their matching sassy attitude, with Strange's sarcasm being reminiscent of Tony's many best roast quotes in the MCU.
Clint Barton - Kate Bishop
Not only does Kate Bishop exhibit Clint's signature precision and skills, acting as his obvious prodigy for the mantle, but she also embodies many of Hawkeye's trademark qualities that made him such a worthy addition to the Avengers team.
Although driven in a distinct way, like Clint many of Kate's actions are motivated by her family life and high morals. Unafraid of putting herself in dangerous situations to do what's right, Kate shows the same heart as him in missions, complete with the same dry humor and likability. With Clint practically having handed her his Hawkeye mantle, Kate is the obvious and only successor worthy of being his Phase Four counterpart.
Thor - Shuri
While the Asgardian and Wakandan may seem to be literal worlds apart, the two carry many overlapping qualities which prove Shuri is Thor's Phase Four counterpart. Both are shown to come from royalty, carrying with them not only their family names but the burden of those familial relationships and their complications.
Shuri and Thor have both known great loss when it comes to loved ones, and have had to prove their worth as heroes rather than being handed the title. Plus, whether it be the many quotes that prove Thor is actually a villain or Shuri's hesitation before sparing Namor, both have had to reconcile their own thirst for revenge and pain-numbing behaviors with who they aspired to be, emerging as righteous leaders of their people.
Steve Rogers - Sam Wilson
By the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it's evident that Steve could not have chosen a better successor, with Sam being his Phase Four counterpart. Not only were Sam and Steve both trained in the Forces like Steve, but they also carried the same morals and priorities, shown when Sam sided with the Avenger in Captain America: Civil War.
Despite not having taken the super soldier serum, Sam exhibits the same bravery as Steve and ensures that he stands up for what is right and protects the people, leading with his heart just as his best friend did. Beyond both Steve and Sam having many heroic moments as Captain America, the two are also the only ones who understand and better Bucky, a rare trait that binds them together and further proves that Sam is the only candidate who can take up Steve's mantle and continue his legacy.
Natasha Romanoff - Yelena Belova
When it comes to Natasha Romanoff's Phase Four counterpart, no one fits the bill better than her younger sister, Yelena Belova. Apart from carrying the same Black Widow background, training, and trauma as Natasha, Yelena also possesses the same wit, cunning, and skill - at times all of them even more amplified in the younger girl.
Like Natasha, Yelena too is a tough warrior on the outside and a big softie on the inside, bringing the best of both heart and strength into every mission. The two also share the same strong moral com and are there to protect those in deserving need, shedding their assassin skin to become true heroes that work toward a better, more equal world. While Yelena has already taken to honoring and defending Nat's memory in Hawkeye, she's likely to bring more of that same Black Widow charm and further her sister's legacy in Phase Five.
