The Avengers need someone new to lead them in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Sam Wilson aka Falcon (Anthony Mackie) should be in charge during Avengers 5. Earth's Mightiest Heroes first assembled in the MCU in 2012 with Iron Man initially set up as the leader of the team. As time went on, the burden of leading was split between Iron Man and Captain America. However, Avengers: Endgame left the MCU in a position where Iron Man is dead, Captain America is old and retired, and the Avengers might not even exist.

At some point in the MCU's future, though, the Avengers will be re-assembled with a new-look roster. Phase 4 is set to elevate the statuses of a few different heroes, make bigger stars out of others, and introduce a few who should have prominent roles in the future. With so many heroes in play to be part of the Avengers, it will be fascinating to see which one becomes the leader of the team when they do form. That said, Sam's Captain America is the best choice to be the new leader of the Avengers.

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The MCU has yet to show what life is like for Sam after he got the Captain America mantle and shield from Steve Rogers, but he is still well-positioned to take over the Avengers. For starters, Sam has already been picked to follow Steve as the man carrying the Captain America shield, so he could also be viewed as the right choice to take his place as the leader of the Avengers. Sam has plenty of combat experience and can provide tactical plans just as easily as Steve could. He might not have super-strength like Steve, but the combination of his flight suit and the shield gives Falcon a different edge in the fight, and Sam can make the right but tough calls when the time comes.

Steve Rogers gives Sam Wilson the Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame

Another reason why Falcon should lead the Avengers is he is the biggest MCU hero who has the time and ability to do so. Sam's MCU story could evolve in surprising ways in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, but he will still be an Earth-based hero who fights for justice first and foremost at the end of the day. Many of the other popular choices to lead the Avengers can't say the same. Captain Marvel splits time between Earth and space, Thor is off in space, Black Panther has a nation to rule, and Doctor Strange is more focused on protecting Earth from magical threats. Plus, these heroes could see their MCU futures ties up with different superteams, as Captain Marvel could lead the Ultimates while Black Panther and Doctor Strange form the Illuminati.

So Falcon has the skills, respect, and time to lead the Avengers in the MCU future, and it would allow him to continue following in the footsteps of Steve Rogers' Captain America. There's also the real-world factors of Marvel Studios elevating Anthony Mackie from a side role to a leading one, and he's still young enough to be at the forefront of the Avengers' battles for several years to come. He might not be the flashiest or strongest pick of the MCU's vast heroic lineup, but Sam's Captain America leading Avengers 5 is the natural evolution of his arc and will highlight how different the next team will be even if there are some similarities.

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