2026 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although the slate is lighter than in previous years, Marvel Studios is lining up a series of high-quality projects, from new Disney+ series that lean into fresh genres to massive crossover events that will change the MCU forever.
Each of Marvel’s upcoming projects features brand-new characters, some of whom hope to lead the MCU into the future as the heroes of the next saga. From young fighters with family ties to the Avengers to teams from another universe looking to protect their reality, these are the most exciting new superheroes joining the MCU over the next twelve months.
Wonder Man Makes His Live-Action Debut Next Year
Yahya Abdul-Mateen stars as Simon Phillips in Wonder ManImage via Marvel Studios
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II jumps from the DCEU to the MCU next year as Simon Phillips, the star of Wonder Man. Phillips begins as a struggling actor trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood. After getting cast in the remake of the iconic superhero film Wonder Man, Phillip gains incredible abilities that turn his body into a living vessel for ionic energy.
With powers that include heightened strength, flight, teleportation, and even resurrection, Wonder Man could be one of the MCU’s most powerful heroes. He is one of the few major Marvel heroes who has yet to join the MCU, but his arrival could change everything. Simon Phillips is known for his connections to other heroes, particularly Vision and the Scarlet Witch. This will make him an excellent character to include in future crossovers, including Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
Speed is the Latest Young Avenger to Join the MCU
VisionQuest is one of the MCU’s most mysterious upcoming projects, with Marvel revealing surprisingly little about the 2026 Disney+ series. One thing viewers do know is that it will feature the first appearance of the teenage hero, Tommy Maximoff, a.k.a. Speed. Scottish actor Ruaridh Mollica will play the speedster superhero in the upcoming miniseries. Tommy is the son of Vision and Wanda Maximoff, as well as the twin brother of Billy Maximoff, a.k.a. Wiccan, who recently returned during the events of Agatha All Along.
Tommy is not only the last member of the Maximoff family to be introduced, but he is also the latest addition to the MCU’s upcoming Young Avengers lineup. Marvel has been building up to a Young Avengers team-up for years by introducing characters like Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop, Stature, America Chavez, Ironheart, and more. Now, the project seems to be taking shape, with Speed and Wiccan making up the last two members of the team, who will most likely debut in a Disney+ series as part of Phase 7. After years of build-up, Speed’s introduction may be the last piece in the puzzle as the Young Avengers finally become a reality.
The X-Men Are Arriving in Avengers: Doomsday
Image via 20th Century Fox
At long last, the X-Men will return in Avengers: Doomsday. While Marvel fans are anxiously looking forward to the MCU’s upcoming X-Men reboot directed by Jake Schreier, the cast of the Fox franchise will get one last opportunity to say goodbye first. Fan-favorite characters like Professor Charles Xavier, Magneto, Cyclops, Nightcrawler, Beast, Mystique, and Gambit are all confirmed to join the MCU next year. Meanwhile, other iconic characters from the franchise are also rumored to appear, including Wolverine, Deadpool, X-23, Storm, and Jean Grey.
Avengers: Doomsday will mark the first time in history that the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the X-Men have all shared the screen in live-action. The X-Men’s arrival in Earth-616 will make history, as iconic characters from the last twenty-five years of Marvel movie history come together for the first time. Doomsday also offers these characters a proper ending ahead of the MCU’s X-Men reboot in 2028.
Doorman Is a Mysterious New Villain Joining the MCU
The Marvel Cinematic Universe may include all-star characters like Spider-Man and Wolverine, but the franchise has also made a name for itself by building up characters that general audiences had no idea existed in the comics. Next in line to get the MCU treatment is a D-list superhero known as Doorman, who will make his live-action debut next year in Wonder Man. Byron Bowers will play DeMarr Davis, a mutant known for his teleportation and intangibility.
Doorman is far from one of the most popular characters in the Marvel universe, but this also gives the MCU much more creative liberty when adapting his character. In the past, the hero has been part of the Great Lakes Avengers, a comical team of superheroes whose powers are often viewed as underwhelming or even laughable. Given that his teammate, Mr. Immortal, recently appeared in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, the MCU could even use Doorman’s introduction as a way to set up this hilarious team of superheroes. Conversely, Marvel could recognize just how strong Doorman really is by unlocking his “Angel of Death” persona, which allows him to control the powerful Darkforce (the same energy that gives Cloak his powers).
Jessica Jones Is Finally Returning to the MCU
Krysten Ritter on Netflix’s Jessica JonesImage via Netflix
The next season of Daredevil: Born Again brings back Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones six years after her last appearance. Jessica Jones, star of the Netflix series of the same name, is a private investigator and a former member of the Defenders. Born Again Season 2 will see Jessica reunite with Matt Murdock years after their last team-up, as they put a new squad together to take down the villainous new mayor of New York City, Wilson Fisk.
Before Daredevil: Born Again, Jessica Jones was only tangentially related to the MCU. The Jessica Jones series is part of the Defenders Saga, which has a tricky relationship with MCU canon. However, her return in Born Again makes Krysten Ritter’s character an official part of the MCU. Her next appearance is especially exciting because it could be used to set up a new Jessica Jones revival or a new iteration of the Defenders. Jessica Jones’s return could also be the first step in getting back other members of the Defenders in the MCU, including Luke Cage and Iron Fist.
