A fresh Marvel rumor is once again shaking up fan expectations. Although The Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman recently hinted that Reed Richards might become the Avengers’ new team leader, a new insider report now suggests otherwise. Instead, Marvel may be choosing to continue the arcs of its established characters. As a result, the spotlight could remain on Sam Wilson and Yelena Belova, both of whom have been steadily evolving into leadership roles throughout the MCU.
Director’s Comment Sparks Avengers’ New Team Leader Speculation
In a previous interview, Fantastic Four director Matt Shakman raised eyebrows when he said Reed Richards,
“goes from being the nerdy scientist who’s locked away in the lab, to the husband and father who’d do anything to protect his family, to the guy who’s leading the Avengers.”
This development convinced many that Reed, played by Pedro Pascal, would take charge as the next major figurehead in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Fans naturally expected Marvel to promote Reed Richards as the Avengers’ new team leader, given his well-established brilliance and leadership in the comics. However, a new rumor challenges that assumption.
New Rumor Challenges the Avengers’ New Team Leader Theory
According to popular insider @MyTimeToShineH, that assumption may not hold up. The scooper posted the following update:
“Okay so I just checked with my source and they told me that Reed Richards is NOT the leader of the Avengers in Doomsday and Secret Wars. Sam and Yelena are the ones leading the team(s).”
This statement flips the script entirely. Rather than promoting a newly introduced character, Marvel may be continuing the arcs of long-established heroes who’ve earned leadership roles through prior MCU phases.
Why Sam and Yelena Fit as Avengers’ New Team Leader Figures
Both Sam Wilson and Yelena Belova have been gradually developed as strong, independent leaders in their respective storylines. Sam’s rise from Falcon to Captain America has been a defining arc, especially heading into Captain America: Brave New World. Similarly, Yelena’s journey in Black Widow and her upcoming role in Thunderbolts supports her elevation to a commanding presence.
If this rumor proves true, it supports Marvel’s decision to ground its next phase in emotional continuity rather than spectacle. Handing the torch to Sam and Yelena as Avengers’ new team leader figures feels earned, not rushed.
Could Reed Richards Still Play a Key Role?
While the rumor contradicts Shakman’s leadership hint, it doesn’t mean Reed Richards will be sidelined. On the contrary, his introduction in The Fantastic Four: First Steps will undoubtedly shake up the MCU. Still, positioning him immediately as Avengers’ new team leader may undercut the development of characters already deeply woven into the universe.
The timing is critical. With The Fantastic Four set to debut just a year before Avengers: Doomsday, audiences may need time to connect with Reed’s character before accepting him in a leadership role.
Upcoming MCU Releases You Should Watch
Marvel fans eager to see how this leadership shake-up unfolds can mark these key dates:
- The Fantastic Four: First Steps – July 25, 2025
- Avengers: Doomsday – December 18, 2026
- Avengers: Secret Wars – December 17, 2027
The Fantastic Four will star Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm.
This new rumor brings clarity to what was a confusing leadership picture. While Matt Shakman’s comment sparked buzz around Reed Richards, the insider claim resets expectations. Instead of elevating a newly introduced character, Marvel appears to be honoring the existing paths of Sam and Yelena—solidifying them as the Avengers’ new team leader figures.
As always, rumors should be taken with caution. But given the direction of recent MCU projects, this leadership decision could be the right move for storytelling consistency and fan investment.
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