There are many heroes already in the MCU who deserve to take Iron Man’s place as the leader of the franchise’s heroes in the Multiverse Saga.

Of all the heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are multiple contenders to replace Iron Man as the leading figure in the franchise. Since the very beginning of the MCU’s movie timeline, the franchise has had heroes central to the wider universe’s narrative. Throughout the Infinity Saga, this role fell largely to Tony Stark, who in his role as the Avenger Iron Man and as a billionaire inventor supported the other heroes of the franchise across multiple movies.

With Tony Stark’s tragic and heroic death in Avengers: Endgame, the need for a new leader arose within the MCU. The previously-established Avengers and the newer heroes introduced in the movies of the MCU feature many contenders, with each having some important quality they could bring to the role of the MCU’s next Iron Man figure. Though replacing the fallen hero would be impossible, here are 10 MCU heroes who could be Marvel’s next Iron Man in the Multiverse Saga.

10. Shang-Chi Is One Of The Most Powerful New Heroes In The MCU

The Ten Rings Make Shang-Chi A Powerful New Avenger

Though he may seem something of an unlikely contender for the next leader of the Avengers, there’s evidence to suggest that Shang-Chi could be the perfect choice. Introduced in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the MCU’s foremost martial arts expert is a skilled hand-to-hand combatant with a connection to the more mystical elements of the franchise. What’s more, the ending of Shang-Chi saw the titular hero bestowed with the power of the Ten Rings, the powerful weapon formerly wielded by his father, the Mandarin.

Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi is sufficiently powerful and heroic to present a sound choice as the next leader of the Avengers. He has a strong moral core and can hold his own in combat alongside the franchise’s other powerful heroes, but also presents a new and exciting opportunity for the MCU to innovate. He may not be the obvious choice to lead the Avengers as the MCU’s next Iron Man, but Shang-Chi is certainly up to the task.

9. Star-Lord’s MCU Story Has Made Him A Suitable Leader

Peter Quill Is Already A Capable Leader

Star-Lord has already played a significant role in the MCU as the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but he could also potentially step up to lead the franchise’s Earth-based heroes. Peter Quill’s hero journey started on Earth, and then took him across space in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’s post-credits scene saw Star-Lord return to Earth to connect with his surviving family, then teased his return in future MCU projects.

Star-Lord would make a good replacement for Iron Man in the Avengers for multiple reasons. Firstly, he’s already proven his heroic nature and his ability to lead a team of individuals possessing various powers. Secondly, he’s one of the few MCU characters able to get as many laughs as Iron Man, adding further credence to his claim as the heart of the MCU’s future. Whether Star-Lord will assume Iron Man’s mantle remains to be seen, but he’s certainly capable of doing so.

8. Thor’s Complex Arc Makes Him A Perfect Mentor For Other Heroes

Thor Has Undergone A Lot Of Growth As Part Of His Hero Story

Of all the heroes remaining in the MCU, Thor is one of the franchise’s most storied. Having been introduced in Phase 1’s Thor in 2011, the God of Thunder has appeared in multiple MCU movies, and has undergone a significant narrative arc in that time. In fact, Thor is one of the most changed characters in the entire MCU, courtesy of his profoundly tragic story.

The many losses suffered by Thor have contributed to his significant growth as a hero and an individual. As such, Thor could serve as the perfect mentor for younger Avengers, taking over a role that once belonged to his former teammate Tony Stark. Thor’s experience of loss, responsibility, and heroism would all translate well to a mentorship role within the MCU, and uniquely qualify him to take on the challenge of guiding younger heroes as they begin their own journeys in the franchise.

7. Ms. Marvel Is Set To Be The Iron Man Of The Young Avengers

Kamala Khan Is Already Becoming A Leader

Kamala Khan may be one of the MCU’s newly introduced heroes, but she has already made a significant impact on the scape of the MCU. Ms. Marvel discovered her abilities in her eponymous Disney+ TV show, then went on to star in The Marvels alongside fellow heroes Carol Danvers and Monica Rambeau. The Marvels’ ending saw Kamala begin to recruit for her own team, the MCU’s take on the Young Avengers.

Ms. Marvel’s role as the leader of her own team comes with parallels to Iron Man’s former role as the leader of the Avengers. Taking on the responsibility of protecting and acting as the figurehead for a team of superheroes is something that connects Kamala’s story to Tony Stark’s, as the pair both sought to change the world through their work within a team. In a spiritual sense, it seems as though Ms. Marvel may well replace Iron Man in the MCU as the heart of her very own superhero team.

6. Spider-Man Is Marvel & The MCU’s Most Popular Hero

Iron Man’s Protege Could Inspire Other Heroes

It’s no secret that Spider-Man is Marvel’s most consistently popular and beloved hero, and he has become a staple of pop culture thanks to his lasting success on the big and small screens as well as in the pages of Marvel Comics. As such, Spider-Man could potentially replace Iron Man as the MCU’s most popular hero, and he could also play an important role within the Avengers. Though Spider-Man may not be the most obvious leader for the team of heroes, he could replace Iron Man in another sense.

In the MCU, Spider-Man was Tony Stark’s protégé and something of a sidekick to Iron Man. It would make sense for Peter Parker to take over Stark’s role as the Avengers’ main scientific and inventive mind, creating various suits and weapons for his fellow heroes. Considering Spider-Man’s popularity, it’s all but certain that he should play a big role in the MCU moving forward, and taking over from Stark would be a fitting way to achieve that.

5. The Hulk Has Tied The MCU’s Releases Together For Over A Decade

Hulk Is A Long-Standing Avenger In The MCU

Though there are many Hulk stories the MCU needs to finish, the green gamma-infused behemoth has been one of the most consistent heroes in the franchise. First appearing in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, Hulk is actually the long-standing hero still operating in the MCU, as well as a founding Avenger. Considering the substantial growth and development of Hulk’s character within the franchise, he’s another potential choice for the MCU’s next Iron Man-like figure.

The combination of Hulk’s strength with Bruce Banner’s intellect makes Hulk a clear choice to lead the Avengers in the MCU. His physical abilities speak for themselves, and his intelligence rivals that of the late Tony Stark, making him a natural choice to succeed his former teammate. Though the MCU hasn’t given him many solo opportunities, Hulk is one of the franchise’s most dependable heroes and deserves to play a more active role in its leadership.

4. Captain Marvel Has Proved Herself A Good Leader

Carol Danvers Is A Hugely Powerful MCU Hero

Though the identity of the MCU’s strongest Avenger is one that rages on, there can be no denying that Captain Marvel is a strong candidate for the title. Carol Danvers’ MCU arc has been relatively short compared to other heroes, but she’s already proven herself to be one of the most overpowered heroes in the franchise. Between this and her experience of leadership, she’s another candidate to take over from Iron Man in the MCU.

The Marvels showed how well Captain Marvel works within a team, and her power levels ultimately speak for themselves. In fact, her specific abilities even bear a resemblance to Iron Man’s, including flight and energy blasts from her hands. As such, it’s clear that Captain Marvel could easily assume Iron Man’s role within the MCU as a potential leader and powerhouse within the Avengers.

3. Reed Richards Is The Logical Replacement For Tony Stark

Mister Fantastic Possesses Many Of Stark’s Best Qualities

Though he has yet to officially appear within the MCU, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards is one of the most logical choices to become the franchise’s next Iron Man. Mister Fantastic is the leader of the Fantastic Four and one of Marvel’s most prominent scientists, and therefore fits a similar profile to Iron Man’s within the context of the franchise. However, the similarities between Tony Stark and Reed Richards aren’t the only reason the latter could take over from the former.

Pedro Pascal is one of the biggest and most beloved movie stars in the film industry, and his own real-life profile will likely translate to on-screen popularity. Reed Richards played by Pascal could easily become the MCU’s most popular character, and that’s perhaps the most substantial way in which he could fill the hole left by Stark’s death. Combining the narrative and real-world aspects means that Reed Richards is one of the best contenders to become Marvel’s next Iron Man figure.

2. Doctor Strange Is Already A Powerful & Experienced Avenger

Doctor Strange Could Be The Avengers’ Magical New Leader

As Doctor Strange is already one of the highest-profile Avengers in the MCU, his importance to the franchise speaks for itself. The former Sorcerer Supreme is the MCU’s foremost magic users, and one of the most powerful heroes currently operating in the franchise. As such, Stephen Strange would actually be the perfect choice to replace Iron Man and lead the Avengers through the latter half of the Multiverse Saga.

Doctor Strange’s magical ability has already unlocked the Multiverse, making him the logical choice to lead the MCU’s hero in their attempts to resolve the resulting issues. His powerful use of magic lends itself well to the franchise’s Multiversal narrative arc, and the fact that he’s already been established as a key member of the Avengers also works in his favor. There are few choices for Iron Man’s successor as logical as Doctor Strange, as he perfectly fits the bill for the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.

1. Sam Wilson Is The MCU’s New Captain America After A 7 Year Hero Run

Captain America Is The MCU’s Most Important Human Hero

Sam Wilson was introduced to the MCU as the hero Falcon, supporting Steve Rogers’ Captain America and later joining the Avengers. Having paid his dues, Rogers chose Sam Wilson to inherit the mantle of Captain America, making him one of the foremost heroes in the MCU. Inheriting the name of one of Marvel’s greatest heroes is something that speaks to the heroic nature of Sam Wilson, and also marks him as a potential leader for the franchise’s future.

Sam Wilson becoming the MCU’s Captain America is substantial, as his predecessor was also a leader in the franchise. Wilson’s Cap replacing Iron Man as the heart of the franchise is a clever and potentially powerful narrative choice, rewarding hard work and heroics over simple power. In terms of poetic narrative potential, Sam Wilson is by far the best choice to become the next Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.