10 Marvel Heroes Who Could Be The MCU’s Anchor Being, Ranked From Least Likely to Most Likely

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Avengers: Doomsday will mark the beginning of the end for the Multiverse Saga, setting up the epic events of Avengers: Secret Wars and, as many fans have theorized, a potential reboot of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Though long in the making, Doomsday is officially set to hit theaters in May of 2026, with cameras rolling in the next few weeks. With the Russo Brothers returning to direct, Doomsday promises to explore the answers to many lingering questions from Phases 4, 5, and 6 of the MCU.

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Multiverse Saga finale was raised in Deadpool & Wolverine, which introduced the concept of anchor beings. TVA agent Mr. Paradox explains that anchor beings are individuals around whom an entire universe revolves. If they should die, the universe would slowly begin to fade out of existence. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine was revealed to be the anchor being of Fox’s X-Men Universe, but no one has yet been confirmed as the anchor being of Earth-616, otherwise known as the Sacred Timeline. Who might the MCU’s anchor being be?

10

Stan Lee Is the Most Unlikely Anchor Being (But It Isn’t Impossible)

Stan Lee Appears in 22 MCU Projects

While not a hero in the MCU, the legendary Marvel Comics writer and editor-in-chief Stan Lee is certainly a hero in many fans’ hearts. He is also known to pop up in most movies based on the Marvel characters, from The Trial of the Incredible Hulk in 1989 until he died in 2018. During this illustrious three-decade film career, Lee made a cameo appearance in all twenty-two films of the MCU’s Infinity Saga (excluding the epilogue Spider-Man: Far From Home), culminating in Avengers: Endgame.

There are many theories regarding Lee’s place in the MCU, with some suggesting that he could be a Watcher (as evidenced by his communion with the interdimensional observers in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2). Rather, Marvel could reveal that Stan Lee is the anchor being of Earth-616. His seeming omnipresence lends itself to the idea that the fabric of the Sacred Timeline is inextricably tied to him. Moreover, this would be a nice tribute to the man who had a hand in creating many of the MCU’s most iconic characters. Even if he isn’t the anchor being of the MCU, Stan Lee is certainly the anchor being of Marvel Comics.

9

Loki Could Be the MCU’s Anchor Being (But There Are Some Problems)

Portrayed by Tom Hiddleston

Though he began his storyline as a villain, Loki has grown to become one of the universe’s greatest heroes. In his self-titled Disney+ series, Loki defeated the Kang variant He Who Remains and took his place at the head of the multiverse, assuming the title “God of Stories.” He now presides over the Marvel Multiverse, holding the many different branch timelines together in one interdimensional tree.

It is rumored that Loki will have a crucial role in Avengers: Doomsday, perhaps serving as the object of Doctor Doom’s plan to destroy the multiverse. This would lend itself to the idea that Loki is the anchor being of the MCU, but there are a few problems with this theory. Most noticeably, this version of Loki doesn’t hail from Earth-616, but rather from a branch timeline in which he escaped the Avengers’ capture after the Battle of New York. Even so, Deadpool & Wolverine confirmed that variants from other realities can replace anchor beings in their home timelines, leaving room for the original Loki to be confirmed as the first anchor being of the MCU. Loki can be the anchor being of the MCU, but it also isn’t the most likely option.

8

Nick Fury Probably Isn’t the MCU’s Anchor Being, But…

Portrayed by Samuel L. Jackson

Colonel Nicholas J. Fury played a crucial role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., he personally oversaw the Avengers Initiative, gathering together all six of the original Avengers just in time to save the Earth from an alien invasion. While he has dipped in significance since the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury is still an active agent in the MCU, now working in the shadows to protect humanity from new threats like the Skrulls and the Kree.

Although not a superhero, Fury’s role in Phase 1 of the MCU is incredibly significant. The entire MCU hinges upon Fury recruiting heroes to the Avengers Initiative. As such, it could be revealed that Fury himself is the anchor being of Earth-616, which would have fallen into chaos long ago if not for his actions. There is, however, a problem with this theory. Fury being the MCU’s anchor being would doubtlessly put him at the center of Avengers: Doomsday, which would take away from other heroes that viewers come to the theater to see. While it makes sense, Fury being the MCU’s anchor being may be disappointing to many fans who have spent years theorizing about this mysterious individual’s identity.

7

The MCU Could Cement Black Panther’s Legacy by Making Him an Anchor Being

Portrayed by Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther is the greatest hero with the shortest tenure in the MCU. The iconic actor played T’Challa brilliantly in his four movie appearances before passing away in 2020 after a long battle with colon cancer. Rather than recasting the role, Marvel revealed that T’Challa died of a similar illness in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His younger sister, Shuri, took over his role as the Black Panther, while M’Baku eventually took Wakanda’s throne as its new king.

The MCU has an opportunity to posthumously cement Chadwick Boseman’s legacy as the Black Panther by revealing that he was Earth-616’s anchor being. Black Panther plays a key role in the comic book version of Secret Wars, arguably as the most important character therein. Since the movie adaptation cannot follow this story, it can at least pay homage to the late actor by revealing that his death not only shook the foundations of Wakanda but the foundations of the universe as well. T’Challa’s passing could be what sets Earth-616 on a downward spiral without its anchor being.

6

Steve Rogers Kicked Off the Age of Heroes in the MCU

Portrayed by Chris Evans

Steve Rogers, the first Captain America, may not be active in the MCU following the events of Avengers: Endgame, but his mysterious disappearance still keeps fans theorizing long after his retirement. Although he claims to be retired from the role, Chris Evans was at one time confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, hinting that there are more Steve Rogers adventures to come. The actor’s cagey response to these reports could suggest that his character has a significant role to play in the upcoming Avengers movie.

On Earth-616, it was the creation of Captain America that kicked off the Age of Heroes. Many of the MCU’s most prominent superheroes were inspired by the creation of the first super-soldier. The Hulk, Captain Marvel, Red Guardian, the Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent, and Sam Wilson’s Captain America can all in some way trace their origins back to Steve Rogers or the super-soldier serum. His prominence in the MCU could hint at Steve Rogers’ importance to the timeline itself, making him the anchor being of the Sacred Timeline.

5

Thanos Makes a Surprising Amount of Sense as the MCU’s Anchor Being

Portrayed by Josh Brolin

Thanos may be a ruthless killer but he viewed himself as the universe’s greatest hero. The Mad Titan spent decades hunting the six Infinity Stones, finally using their combined power to wipe out half of all life. In his mind, this mass genocide prevented many across the universe from slowly starving and, as many have theorized, protected them from the Celestial Emergence. Though his actions were mostly undone by the end of Avengers: Endgame, Thanos could be one of the most significant individuals in the Sacred Timeline.

As the main villain of the Infinity Saga, Thanos is the primary reason that most stories in the MCU were told. It was Thanos’s scheming that brought the Avengers together in the first place, making him the secret focus of the Infinity Saga. In a wild twist, Avengers: Doomsday could reveal that Thanos was the anchor being of the Sacred Timeline, with his life justifying the existence of the MCU itself. His death would therefore be a big problem for the heroes of Earth-616 as their universe slowly dies without its anchor being.

4

Spider-Man Has a Pivotal Place in the Marvel Multiverse

Portrayed by Tom Holland

Spider-Man is one of the MCU’s newest heroes but has already proven himself to be one of the strongest, most upstanding members of the Avengers. Peter Parker’s sacrifice at the end of Spider-Man: No Way Home proved his selfless heroism, as he was willing to put his own personal life on the line to save the lives of billions of people. Next slated to appear in Spider-Man 4, Tom Holland’s superhero is rapidly becoming one of the most important characters in the MCU.

If anchor beings are the central focus of any given universe, it is safe to conclude that individuals like Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man are the anchor beings of their respective timelines. As a result of his real-world prominence resulting in countless movies and television shows, it is reasonable to say that Spider-Man is often the anchor being of any given timeline. This makes it more possible that Spider-Man will similarly be confirmed as the anchor being of the MCU.

Portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen

The Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful characters in the MCU. With powers derived from the Mind Stone combined with innate magical abilities from her secret X-gene, Wanda Maximoff helped the Avengers defeat Ultron and Thanos. However, after obtaining the Darkhold, Wanda’s mind grew corrupt, leading her on a bloody rampage during the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Although she appears to die at the end of Multiverse of Madness, most fans are convinced that the Scarlet Witch is still out there somewhere and will return in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars. With only two appearances in the Multiverse Saga, Wanda Maximoff has still proven to be one of the most important characters in a post-Endgame MCU. Her return in Phase 6 could come with the revelation that she is the central being in the Sacred Timeline.

2

Doctor Strange Has Been Described as the Anchor of the Multiverse Saga

Portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch

Doctor Strange is the former Sorcerer Supreme and a Master of the Mystic Arts in the MCU. He has more experience with the multiverse than any other hero from the Sacred Timeline, having traveled to multiple timelines during the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. After mysteriously disappearing with the sorceress Clea, Doctor Strange has been confirmed to play a significant role in the next two Avengers movies.

Several years ago, Kevin Feige described Doctor Strange as the “anchor” of the Multiverse Saga. This comment came long before Deadpool & Wolverine introduced the concept of anchor beings, but could hint at a larger plan for Doctor Strange’s character in the MCU. The Master of the Mystic Arts makes sense as the central character in the Multiverse Saga, giving him a bigger role in Doomsday and Secret Wars.

1

Tony Stark Makes the Most Sense as the MCU’s Anchor Being

Portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.

If anchor beings are the figures around whom an entire universe revolves, then Tony Stark is the best candidate for the MCU. The expansive superhero franchise launched with Tony Stark’s introduction in the first Iron Man movie, which led to countless spinoffs featuring other Marvel characters. With Robert Downey Jr. returning as Doctor Doom, it seems that Tony Stark’s legacy will play a key role in Avengers: Doomsday.

The Russo Brothers have hinted that Tony Stark’s death and Downey’s return as Doctor Doom are significant moments in the MCU. This could imply that Stark’s demise during the events of Avengers: Endgame is directly related to the arrival of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. This suggests that Stark was the MCU’s anchor being and that his death has doomed the universe. Doctor Doom could then function as a savior of sorts, promising himself as the Sacred Timeline’s new anchor being. While many characters could be the anchor being of Earth-616, Tony Stark makes the most sense.

“}]] The identity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s anchor being remains a mystery, but their identity could be revealed in Avengers: Doomsday.  Read More