Who Has What It Takes To Become The Next Leader Of The Avengers?

In the wake of the cataclysmic events of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been left in a state of disarray as the future of the now leaderless Avengers remains uncertain. Although there is no Avengers film slated to be released anytime within Phase Four or even within the immediate future of the MCU (( Hugh Armitage and Ian Sandwell, “Avengers 5: Will there actually be another Avengers movie?,” Digital Spy, June 8, 2021. )) the fandom has had plenty of time to speculate about which of the remaining Avengers may have what it takes to assume the reins left vacant after the heartbreaking death of Tony Stark (Iron Man) and the unexpected retirement of Steve Rogers (Captain America) and become the next leader of the Avengers. 

What Does It Really Mean To Become The Next Leader Of The Avengers?

This being said, it has become more than clear that there will never be a presence that can truly usurp the distinctive roles that Iron Man and the original Captain America alike held within the Avengers team and beyond, as the two remain the most popular heroes by far. In rankings compiled by IGN’s editorial staff and a survey conducted by Rotten Tomatoes (( Matt Fowler, “The 25 Best Marvel Heroes in the MCU,” IGN, June 8, 2021. )) the lovably arrogant Iron Man and the kind-hearted “Cap” (as the fandom has lovingly nicknamed Captain America) were ranked in the top two of the former’s list and tied for first place in a survey conducted by the latter. (( “Iron Man and Cap’ Voted Fans’ Favorite Avengers, While Guardians 3 Is Most Anticipated New MCU Flick,” Rotten Tomatoes, April 22, 2019. )) 

Nonetheless, someone must assume leadership of the Avengers in order for the team to remain the well-oiled machine that it was throughout the first four Avengers films (a harmony that was briefly interrupted by the infamous spat between Iron Man and Cap that divided the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War, but what’s a team without a few disputes here and there?). Here are a few members of the Avengers who may truly have what it takes to assume a leadership role within the Avengers and potentially enable the beloved, iconic team to reach new heights due to this necessary change in leadership. 

Likelier Candidates To Become The Next Leader Of The Avengers

Below are some heroes who are considerably likelier candidates to assume the reins as the next leader of the Avengers should Marvel ever decide to make a fifth Avengers film (a choice that would be incredibly smart on Marvel’s part given these films’ greater popularity in comparison to solo hero films within the franchise as well as the great number of questions that have remained unanswered in the wake of Avengers: Endgame). (( Rachel Greenspan, “Here Are the Highest-Grossing Marvel Movies By Box Office,” TIME, July 21, 2019. )) Included within this list are powerhouses such as Thor, Doctor Strange, and the beloved Spider-Man.

Thor

Perhaps one of the more obvious choices due to his undeniable strength and dynamic role within the Avengers as a team is none other than Thor, the God of Thunder. Although he is in an immense state of grief and is mostly inept throughout Avengers: Endgame after losing everyone he once held dear to him and the destruction of Asgard, he is able to snap out of this grievous state near the end of the film as he realizes that everything is at stake in the Battle of Earth — a battle that has proved by far to be the most serious of any other battle that the Avengers have ever had to face. 

Although Thor ventures off with the Guardians of the Galaxy at the end of Avengers: Endgame as he separates himself from the unrealistically high expectations that had been placed upon him throughout his life (yes, even the God of Thunder is prone to feelings of inadequacy), the future of the Avengers is incredibly open, and truly anything can happen as Marvel ushers in a new age of superheroes and alternate forms of life formerly unknown within the MCU such as the Skrulls — a lifeform that features prominently throughout Captain Marvel and briefly in the second post-credits scene of Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Doctor Strange

Another fairly obvious choice is Doctor Strange, a neurosurgeon-turned-sorcerer who quickly gains control of time itself as he studies up on knowledge deemed far too advanced for him and eventually becomes the keeper of the Time Stone, one of the six Infinity Stones. After the events of Doctor Strange, the sorcerer becomes the protector of the New York Masters of the Mystic Arts base and is tasked with protecting Earth from interdimensional threats such as Thanos. Doctor Strange may make a great leader of the Avengers because of his immense power as a sorcerer as well as his undeniable self-confidence and abrasiveness that lends itself to rash decision-making in times of peril when a quick decision on the leader’s part — akin to Tony Stark’s ultimate sacrifice that defeats Thanos and ensures the continued lives of half the world’s population at the price of his own demise — means the difference between life and death.

Doctor Strange also possesses a certain loveable arrogance that reminds countless fans of Stark and, while this does not necessarily mean that he will follow directly in Stark’s footsteps, it is more than possible that Doctor Strange’s leadership could restore the Avengers to their former greatness.

Spider-Man

Fan-favorite Spider-Man (also known as Peter Parker) may also have what it takes to become the next leader of the Avengers. Although the MCU’s Spider-Man is still in high school and remains fairly naïve in regard to the hostile threats the Avengers face on a regular basis since he is more of a part-time member of the Avengers, it has become clear as early as Spider-Man: Homecoming that Tony Stark envisions great things for Parker as he is still coming into his prime as a superhero. 

As seen throughout Spider-Man: Far From Home (which takes place in the immediate aftermath of Avengers: Endgame), Stark left behind plenty of gadgets for Spider-Man specifically such as E.D.I.T.H., an AI created by Stark that gives the wearer full access to Stark Industries’ global satellite network. Even Happy (Stark’s longtime friend and personal chauffeur) looks incredibly proud of Parker as he constructs his own suit on Stark’s private jet in a scene that heralds in the idea that perhaps Spider-Man becoming the next leader of the Avengers is truly the perfect fit. After all, Tony Stark entrusting you with AI technology that he had used on a daily basis when he was alive seems like a pretty big deal.

Somewhat Less Likely Candidates To Become The Next Leader Of The Avengers

While the following heroes may have more pressing matters to attend to and may not be the most obvious candidates to become the next leader of the Avengers, Captain Marvel, the Scarlet Witch, and the newly appointed Captain America (who used to be known as The Falcon before the events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier unfolded) possess certain elements necessary to become the team’s next leader.

Captain Marvel

Another potential candidate who may have what it takes to become the next leader of the Avengers is Captain Marvel, a superhero who has been around since the early days of the Avengers despite only getting a solo film of her own in 2019. After the events of Captain Marvel, she became a mediator of conflicts across the galaxy until being called back to Earth by Nick Fury right before he is eradicated, just like half of the universe’s population as a result of Thanos’ snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. 

While it is clear that Captain Marvel has much bigger concerns as a key mediator of peace and harmony across the universe to concern herself with earthly matters like becoming the leader of the Avengers combined with the love-or-hate relationship most MCU fans have with her (( “Why Do People Hate Captain Marvel (and Actress Brie Larson)?,” Fiction Horizon, March 18, 2021. )). Captain Marvel’s strength of character and resolve to remain strong in the face of any hostile force, no matter what may be just what the Avengers need to move past the immeasurable grief of Stark’s death and serve as a necessary reminder that there is no other way to move but forward.

The Scarlet Witch

Although she may not be an obvious candidate to become the next leader of the Avengers due to how the Disney+ limited series centering on her only shows her great strength in battle in the series finale, the Scarlet Witch (also known as Wanda Maximoff) possesses great potential as she comes into her true form near the end of WandaVision after defeating the mighty Agatha Harkness and absorbing all her power. Since the brunt of WandaVision was more focused on showing Wanda’s unhealthy way of coping with the death of Vision than her as a superhero, fans often overlook her strength as the Scarlet Witch.

However, as the series finale makes more than clear, Wanda is ready to move on after truly having a chance to say goodbye to the “man” she loved more than anything. Although WandaVision has a very open ending and producers have made it abundantly clear that the series will not be returning for a second season, (( Brady Langmann, “Elizabeth Olsen Says WandaVision Won’t Get a Season Two,” Esquire, June 9, 2021. )) the Scarlet Witch is confirmed to be making a future appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (slated to be released in March 2022) and — who knows — potentially a central role in a fifth Avengers film (although this is mere speculation and has yet to be confirmed by Marvel).

The New Captain America (Formerly Known As The Falcon)

A hero who has an incredibly bright future within the Avengers as the new Captain America, as well as a great potential leader for the team, is Sam Wilson, who is better known as the Falcon. Although Wilson has been present within the MCU ever since Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he has mainly existed as more of a side character within the franchise until he and Bucky Barnes became the stars of a Disney+ limited series dedicated to the duo. Similar to Maximoff, Wilson only reaches his peak as the new Captain America and Steve Rogers’ rightful successor near the end of the six-episode series as he comes to terms with the idea that giving up Cap’s infamous shield and title was not the right choice in the long run.

Much like Captain Marvel and the Scarlet Witch, Wilson’s future as a hero (albeit with a slightly augmented persona) is incredibly bright. In addition, it is precisely Rogers’ belief in Wilson’s potential as a superhero combined with Wilson’s kind-hearted nature that may enable him to achieve greatness as the next leader of the Avengers while paying homage to those who came before him.

Who Could Be The Next Leader?

While this list includes several key players who have what it takes (and more) to become the next leader of the Avengers, it is worth mentioning that this list is by no means comprehensive. Rather, this list zeroes in on heroes who may have better odds at becoming efficient figureheads of the Avengers than others and — as a result — certain superheroes had to be omitted. 

Even though it is quite possible to make a case for just about any team member to become the next leader of the Avengers (from the polarizing Hulk and Ant-Man to the level-headed and newly superpowered Monica Rambeau or even Stark’s longtime friend James “Rhodey” Rhodes, better known as War Machine), it is undeniable that the MCU’s future as a cinematic powerhouse is cemented within the popular discourse. This merely serves as one of many centering on this single topic, as this riveting discussion is sure to continue until the slightest semblance of a fifth Avengers film is confirmed to be in the works.