The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been slowly but surely expanding ever since it launched in 2008. No matter how many new characters or franchises were introduced, though, the first three phases of the MCU revolved largely around three central heroes: Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth). When Steve Rogers and Tony Stark then stepped out of the spotlight in Avengers: Endgame, the MCU lost not only two of its original heroes but also the characters who could be relied on to lead the rest of the franchise’s Avengers.
