New Avengers RUMOR: Marvel’s ‘Champions’ Series Reportedly Finds Showrunner

Marvel fans have been eagerly awaiting the debut of the Young Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it seems we may finally have a substantial update. According to reports, Marvel Studios has quietly been developing a new Disney+ series tentatively titled Champions. The project has reportedly secured a showrunner, signaling that the rumored series is moving forward.

Rachna Fruchbom Reportedly Tapped as Showrunner

A recent report from Nexus Point News claims that Marvel Studios has hired Rachna Fruchbom as the writer, executive producer, and showrunner for Champions. Fruchbom’s previous work includes writing credits on NBC’s Parks and Recreation and Apple TV’s Shrinking, demonstrating her experience with character-driven storytelling and comedic elements—both essential aspects of the Marvel formula.

While Marvel has yet to officially confirm this hiring, Fruchbom’s involvement suggests that the project is gaining traction and could soon enter formal pre-production.

‘Champions’ or ‘Young Avengers’? A Possible Merger of Teams

The name Champions may raise eyebrows among comic book fans, as it refers to a separate superhero team from the Young Avengers. In the comics, the Champions were introduced in 2016, created by Mark Waid and Humberto Ramos, and featured characters such as:

Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel)
Miles Morales (Spider-Man)
Riri Williams (Ironheart)
Sam Alexander (Nova)
Amadeus Cho (Totally Awesome Hulk)
Viv Vision (Daughter of Vision)

On the other hand, the Young Avengers debuted in 2005, created by Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung, featuring:

Billy Kaplan (Wiccan)
Kate Bishop (Hawkeye)
Tommy Shepherd (Speed)
Eli Bradley (Patriot)
Cassie Lang (Stature)
America Chavez
Kid Loki

While the two teams have distinct comic book histories, it’s possible that Marvel Studios is combining their rosters for live-action, especially since some Young Avengers members are already part of the MCU.

New Avengers RUMOR Marvel’s ‘Champions’ Series Reportedly Finds Showrunner (4)

Current MCU Characters Who Could Join the Team

Several characters from both Young Avengers and Champions have already debuted in the MCU, making a team-up series a natural progression. Some of the key players include:

Young Avengers in the MCU:

Kate Bishop (Hawkeye) – Introduced in Hawkeye (2021)
Billy Maximoff / Wiccan – Introduced in WandaVision (2021)
Tommy Shepherd / Speed – Introduced in WandaVision (2021)
Eli Bradley / Patriot – Introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
America Chavez – Introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Cassie Lang / Stature – Appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Champions in the MCU:

Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) – Ms. Marvel (2022) and The Marvels (2023)
Riri Williams (Ironheart) – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), with her own Ironheart series set for release in June 2025

Missing Key Members

While many essential characters are already established, some core members from both teams have yet to appear in the MCU, including:

Teddy Altman / Hulkling – A key member of Young Avengers and Wiccan’s romantic partner in the comics
Miles Morales / Spider-Man – Sony’s animated Spider-Verse films have popularized him, but a live-action debut remains speculative
Sam Alexander / Nova – Rumors suggest Marvel has long-term plans for the character
Amadeus Cho / Hulk – A potential successor to Bruce Banner
Viv Vision – The synthetic daughter of Vision, possibly introduced in a future Vision Quest project

New Avengers RUMOR Marvel’s ‘Champions’ Series Reportedly Finds Showrunner (1)

Will Kamala Khan Lead the Team?

One of the biggest MCU Phase 5 mysteries is who will lead the Young Avengers/Champions? Initially, Tom Holland’s Spider-Man was rumored to fill the role, but following the events of The Marvels, it now seems that Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel) is being positioned as the team’s leader.

In a post-credit scene from The Marvels, Kamala mirrors Nick Fury’s iconic recruitment of Tony Stark in Iron Man (2008), approaching Kate Bishop about forming a new superhero team. This strongly suggests that Marvel is assembling the Young Avengers (or Champions) within the next few years.

Potential Connections to ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’

With Avengers: The Kang Dynasty (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) on the horizon, many fans speculate that the Young Avengers will play a significant role in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Given that Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has repeatedly emphasized introducing new generations of heroes, a Young Avengers/Champions project would be a logical step.

Additionally, if Champions is indeed in development, it could serve as a setup for future Avengers films, much like how previous solo projects built toward Avengers: Endgame.

Caution: Treat This as a Rumor

Despite the exciting speculation, it’s important to note that Marvel Studios has not officially confirmed the existence of this project. Until we receive word from Marvel or major industry insiders, this remains a rumor.

Nonetheless, given the increasing presence of young heroes in the MCU, it’s only a matter of time before Marvel officially assembles the next generation of Avengers.

Whether the project is called Young Avengers, Champions, or something else entirely, the MCU’s next phase is undoubtedly setting the stage for its next big superhero team-up. With Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop, Ironheart, and more already in play, fans should expect a formal announcement soon.

Stay tuned for further updates as more details emerge about Marvel’s plans for the next generation of superheroes.