The Avengers team is in need of a new leader, and despite several contenders being available in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

, Sam Wilson’s Captain America has proven he’s up to the task. Steve Rogers led the Avengers since the team was formed back in 2012, but when the events of Avengers: Endgame saw many of the core team pᴀss away or retire, the team no longer had a clear leader. Admittedly, things were already a little messy due to the Sokovia Accords splitting the team up, but Cap continued to take on the leadership role when things got tough.

And when Steve Rogers decided to retire, he chose his close friend, Sam Wilson, to take up the shield, and become the next Captain America. However, Wilson was lacking one thing that Rogers had, the Super Soldier Serum. With Cap’s blessing and shield, Sam wanted to follow Cap’s wishes, but it took the powerless Wilson some time to embrace his role as Captain America, but now that he has embraced the role, it’s time for the new Cap to step up and lead the Avengers in their next major conflict.

Captain America Could Lead The Avengers In Doomsday & Secret Wars

Sam Wilson Is Ready To Take The Lead For The Heroes

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier marked Sam’s first outing after Steve retired from being Captain America. The series had its flaws, and may not be one of the top-performing тιтles on the MCU’s TV slate, but it does see Sam progress from a nervous, unsure, and insecure soldier, into a man worthy of the тιтle Captain America. And this wasn’t a result of Sam trying to dominate and force himself upon others, instead, Sam stepped up out of necessity, with the “official” Captain America, John Walker, becoming a dangerous and unstable threat. And this journey will clearly continue in Captain America: Brave New World, as highlighted by director Julius Onah in an interview with Collider:

“All I’ll say is, right now my heart and soul is in this film, but I think this is a movie that cements Captain America and Sam Wilson as our new Captain America as a leader of the Avengers going forward. So I’m just really excited about getting this out in the world.”

From taking down John Walker in the wake of the character injecting himself with Super Soldier Serum, to fighting threatening villains like Sidewinder, and Red Hulk, who just so happens to be the President. Even without powers, Sam uses his brains, his skills, and his tactical mind to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. And it takes a lot more than just muscle to be a true leader, as revealed in Steve Rogers’ origin story in the MCU.

Sam Wilson’s Avengers Position Was Set Up In His First Appearance

Sam Wilson Has Always Had The Skills Needed To Become Captain America In The MCU

Steve Rogers was originally a scrawny kid from Queens with no discernible muscle or ability to fight. However, Abraham Erskine recognized the potential in granting a person with a good heart and courage, the opportunity to have strength to match it. Being Captain America is not about being stronger, or more powerful than the next guy, but it comes down to having the right motivations and heart to take on the role and do whats right. And Sam Wilson has shown that kind of heart since he first appeared in the MCU, helping soldiers deal with PTSD and leading a support group.

In fact, this was very likely why Steve felt confident pᴀssing on the тιтle of Captain America to Sam Wilson. And even in the Multiverse saga, Sam Wilson has again shown his ability to empathize and level with people when he spoke to the Flag Smashers leader in TFAWS. Wilson has more than just his strength to fall back on in stepping into the role of Captain America, and his ability to reason with and help others make him a solid choice to lead the Avengers.

Who Else Could Lead The Avengers & Why Wilson Is A Better Choice

The Next Leader Of The Avengers Needs To Step Up

And while Sam’s empathy, his humanity, and his endorsement all make for a solid case to suggest he can and should be made the leader of the Avengers in the upcoming films, there are still a number of other potential leaders to tackle the role going forward. Doctor Strange is uniquely positioned as a hero who is not busy leading the sorcerers, and a connection to heroes across the multiverse. Others, like Spider-Man, could step up into a leadership role, having been mentored by another great leader, Tony Stark, in his career as a superhero.

However, looking at the circumstances, considering the role that Captain America has held previously in the Avengers, and how important it is to have a balanced hero who can think tactically, and engage each of the heroes on their team and place them in prime positions, Sam Wilson is the obvious choice. His experience fighting characters like Thanos, his extensive experience fighting next to Steve Rogers, his military background, and the fact that he is not a super, all of these details make him a strong and worthy candidate to direct the Avengers, and not be overcome by ego or ignorance. And when things get tense for the heroes in Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, the team will need a leader like Wilson.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Captain America: Brave New World

  Release Date

  
  February 14, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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