As the Marvel Cinematic Universe prepares to enter Phase 5, there is a large and robust cast of active heroes to carry out their next phase. The MCU officially concluded Phase 4 with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantamania. Phase 4 has been the most packed MCU Phase so far as the introduction of Disney+ MCU TV Shows has allowed more room for character development and long-form storytelling.
This has led to a blend of old and new heroes as Marvel revamps its roster of heroes. Following the Infinity Saga, many heroes have either retired or died, despite some reappearing in Phase 4. However, there are still lots of heroes in the MCU that are prepared to defend the multiverse in Phase 5 and beyond.
Spider-Man
Following the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the in-universe world has forgotten who Spider-Man is and his connection to Tony Stark has been severed, serving as a soft reboot for the character. Even though Peter Parker is trying to cope with losing Aunt May and his friends, the ending of the film shows him swinging around New York. He is still the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and while no new Spider-Man films have been announced, he is still an active hero meaning he will likely appear in a future MCU project soon.
Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi made his superhero debut in 2021's Avengers: Secret Wars.
Kate Bishop
While Hawkeye's story was basically wrapped up, and he seems to have retired by the conclusion of Hawkeye, the show introduced another archer to the MCU. Kate Bishop will likely officially assume the mantel of Hawkeye soon and her spunky personality will be a wonderful addition to the (yet-to-be-announced) Young Avengers. In the comics, Kate and Cassie Lang, who becomes Stature, are friends and are the founding of the Young Avengers, so Kate could even make some sort of cameo in the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
Doctor Strange
The magical sorcerer is still creating chaos in the MCU with not just Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but it was also his spell that sparked the chain of events that led to the multiverse fiasco in Spider-Man: No Way Home. After breaking the sacred rules and using the Dark Hold in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange has begun to suffer the consequences. The ending credits showed him gaining a third eye but not much more, so it is likely that his next appearance in the MCU will explore how his character has changed since using the Dark Hold's magic.
Wong
Wong is still the Sorcerer Supreme since Doctor Strange got blipped when they needed a new one. He has made so many cameos throughout the MCU's Phase 4 that it is hard to believe they aren't setting him up for something bigger, such as his own show or possibly even a movie. In Phase 4, he appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Spider-Man: No Way Home, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
America Chavez
Multiverse of Madness also helped to establish another new hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Another likely member, if not leader, of the Young Avengers, Doctor Strange 2 formally introduced America Chavez. She has the ability to travel across the multiverse and her rich backstory was teased in the movie, providing lots of setup for future movies or even her own spin-off show. America was well received by audiences, so she will likely be coming back to the MCU sooner rather than later.
Bucky
Bucky Barnes is something of an anti-hero in the MCU with his history as the Winter Soldier. His confirmed appearance in the Thunderbolts movie shows that Bucky is active and well within the MCU and the Thunderbolts are a team of anti-heroes, which is a perfect fit for him. When he was last seen in new Captain America.
