Who Is The Avengers' Leader In Phase 6? Every Candidate

Now that Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are confirmed to appear in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, it’s worth wondering who Marvel will choose to lead the team. Based on how Phase 3 ended, a different character will have to step into the role. After all, both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers have been removed from the equation.

The state of the Avengers has been in flux ever since Thanos was defeated at the end of Avengers: Endgame. The loss of three original members, combined with other developments, have raised numerous questions about where Marvel will go from here. With all the characters it still has at its fingertips, not to mention the ones who have joined the fold in Phase 4, Marvel obviously has more than enough heroes to form a new lineup. But whether or not it would actually take that route was a huge mystery – until San Diego Comic-Con 2022. Now, it’s known that the team will be back for at least two more big-screen outings.

For now, exactly who Marvel will pick to fill out the Avengers roster remains up in the air. Existing members like Smart Hulk and War Machine are both possibilities, as are some of Phase 4’s new MCU additions, such as She-Hulk and Shang-Chi. Another lingering question pertains to the team’s new leader. Considering who their predecessors were, the person who gets the job will naturally have some huge shoes to fill. Here’s every candidate to replace Iron Man and Captain America in MCU Phase 6 as the leader of the Avengers.

Captain Marvel

Although it hasn’t been outright confirmed, it’s been implied that Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers is counted as an Avenger now. When Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ post-credits scene united Carol, Wong, and Bruce Banner, it was suspected that this was part of the roster for the current Avengers team. Even if that is the case, Ms. Marvel’s story proves that Captain Marvel isn’t active at this point in the MCU timeline. However, what happens in The Marvels could bring her back to Earth ahead of the Avengers’ return in Phase 6. With her power level, experience, and confidence, Captain Marvel has the potential to be a competent leader in The Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars. But, being the leader would force a change in direction for her character. So far, she’s been more of a galactic hero, whereas the Avengers would need someone who’s committed to staying on Earth.

Monica Rambeau

While using the Captain Marvel name, Monica Rambeau became the unlikely successor to the Wasp in the 1980s when the latter gave up her position as Avengers chairman. Though Monica was still considered a newcomer in the superhero community, she demonstrated on multiple occasions that she was worthy of the honor. Her ability to command respect from characters like Namor the Sub-Mariner when issuing orders was indicative of her capabilities. If The Marvels stays true to how she was depicted in the classic comics, Teyonah Parris’ character should instantly emerge as one of the frontrunners for Phase 6’s Avengers leader.

Doctor Strange

As one of the universe’s biggest defenders and a key player in the fight against Thanos, Doctor Strange is a character who makes a great deal of sense for inclusion in the next two Avengers movies. With his knowledge and powers, he certainly feels like someone the Avengers could turn to in their hour of need, and perhaps even look to for leadership. But in spite of this, Doctor Strange is arguably one of the weaker candidates for the next Avengers’ leader. While he could very well be in both movies, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Doctor Strange is more of an ally to the Avengers than a full member of the team. He’s typically a solo act, and Benedict Cumberbatch’s own comments on the matter support this idea. Marvel would have to significantly evolve his role in the MCU to make Doctor Strange take over the team.

Thor

As Thor’s MCU story continues, it’s become easier to see Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder headlining an Avengers movie. In Phase 4’s Thor: Love and Thunder, he outlasted both Iron Man and Captain America to become the very first MCU superhero to get a fourth solo film. Thor has hung around so long and contributed so much that the character stepping up and leading the Avengers would feel like an earned moment if it happened. In fact, Thor making the choice to lead the fight against Kang the Conqueror in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty could be the next step in his MCU journey and the perfect culmination of everything he’s experienced thus far.

Sam Wilson’s Captain America

Captain America in his new costume in TFATWS

Regardless of how The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ended, it’s possible that Marvel isn’t done transforming Sam Wilson into Captain America. He has the shield, the mantle, and the costume, but one thing he’s missing is Steve’s reputation for leading the Avengers. It’s possible that Captain America: New World Order’s story will involve Sam inspiring others and proving that he’s the best fit to be the face of the Avengers in the Multiverse Saga. If so, the MCU can have a new Avengers team (and a leader) before Phase 6 even begins. The Avengers have been integral to Captain America movies twice before, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if the same turns out to be the situation with New World Order.

Black Knight

Dane Whitman looking down at something in Eternals

Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman is far from an obvious choice for Avengers membership (much less its next leader), but his history in the comics speaks volumes about how far he can come in the MCU. Years after joining the Avengers as a reserve member, Black Knight rose up and took charge of the team in the 1990s. Like his comic book counterpart, the MCU’s take on Dane Whitman could eventually lead Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into battle. Due to the fact that he only recently acquired the Ebony Blade and has yet to become the Black Knight, there are some obstacles toward this becoming Dane’s MCU future. He doesn’t have any confirmed projects between now and Kang Dynasty, and a lot would have to happen for Dane to follow in the footsteps of the comic book hero. For that reason, Marvel could use Blade and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty to help prepare him for the role before finally giving it to him in Avengers: Secret Wars.

More: Marvel's Phase 5 & 6 Reveals Make 1 MCU Character Concern Even Worse