AVENGERS ASSEMBLE FOR HOPE: MARVEL’S WISH‑MAKING LEGACY LEVELS UP

THE PRESS CENTER | THE MORSE CODE | MARVEL NEWS

MAY 16 2026 AT 10:13 PM

For Disney’s Week of Wishes, Disney California Adventure unleashed a Super Hero–sized celebration unlike anything before—Wishes Assemble, a first‑ever Avengers‑themed experience created exclusively for Make‑A‑Wish kids. It’s the latest chapter in Marvel’s long‑running alliance with the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation, a partnership built on courage, compassion, and the belief that hope is the greatest superpower of all.

The Walt Disney Company stands as the world’s largest Wishmaker, granting a wish every hour for children facing critical illnesses. Marvel has carried that torch proudly, delivering unforgettable wish experiences tied to blockbuster films, iconic characters, and behind‑the‑scenes magic that brings the Marvel Universe to life.

A Day Where Heroes Rise

As part of Disney’s annual Week of Wishes celebration, 40 Make‑A‑Wish kids and their families assembled at Disneyland Resort for the ultimate Avengers adventure. Joining the mission were Marvel stars Anthony Mackie (Captain America) and Paul Bettany (Vision), who helped each child step into their own heroic origin story. Wishes Assemble is one of nearly 200 wish experiences granted across Disney during the week—each one crafted to inspire strength, joy, and resilience.

Marvel Magic Beyond the Parks

Marvel’s Make‑A‑Wish legacy stretches far beyond Avengers Campus.

• On the set of Thunderbolts, Make‑A‑Wish kid Aurora Dennison met her hero Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes). In a moment straight out of a Marvel script, Stan traded his screen‑used dog tags for Aurora’s handmade Bucky tags—an exchange she’ll never forget.
• Kenny Baraowski visited the London set of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, meeting the cast and witnessing MCU movie magic firsthand. Inspired, Kenny and his family later raised over $10,000 for Make‑A‑Wish, paying the heroism forward.
• At Avengers Campus, Colton, a Make‑A‑Wish kid from Oregon, arrived suited up as Iron Man and was welcomed as an honorary Avenger. His sister Khloe, who donated bone marrow to save his life, was honored by Black Panther as a real‑life Super Hero.

When Wishes Shape the MCU

Some wishes even become part of Marvel history. During a set visit for Thor: Ragnarok, a Make‑A‑Wish kid suggested Thor introduce Hulk as “a friend from work.” Chris Hemsworth loved it—and the improvised line became one of the film’s most iconic moments.

Another wish brought Seth, an aspiring sound engineer, to Marvel Studios in Burbank. There, he shadowed the sound team behind Black Widow, mixing audio and learning the craft firsthand—a dream‑level apprenticeship for a future creator.

Heroes in Training Around the World

Not all wishes revolve around film sets. In Australia, Make‑A‑Wish kid Viker trained like Spider‑Man at the National Institute of Circus Arts, learning to “web‑sling” and “wall‑crawl” before teaming up with Spidey to track down a missing mascot at Marvel Stadium.

The Heart of a Hero

Across continents and across years, Marvel and Make‑A‑Wish have empowered kids to discover their own heroic strength. These experiences ignite courage that rivals the mightiest Avengers and remind fans everywhere that the Marvel Universe is built not just on power, but on hope, heart, and humanity.

Super Heroes inspire us to rise above challenges—and Marvel’s partnership with Make‑A‑Wish helps kids do exactly that. Because as every Marvel fan knows: With great power, there must also come great responsibility.

And together, Marvel and Make‑A‑Wish help kids go higher, further, faster—and change their lives forever.

SOURCE CREDIT: www.marvel.com/articles