Ever since Chris Evans hung up his Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, rumors have swirled about his potential return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Steve Rogers. Despite his repeated denials and claims of being "happily retired," these rumors persist, fueled by the comic book tradition where characters rarely stay dead.
In the comics, the concept of death and rebirth is a staple, and Steve Rogers is no exception. His assassination following the 2007 Civil War storyline was a pivotal moment, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle of Captain America. However, as is often the case, Steve's death was reversed, and he returned to his iconic role. A few years later, his super-soldier serum was neutralized, making him an elderly man unable to wield the shield, and Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, stepped in as the new Captain America. This storyline directly influenced the MCU, leading to Anthony Mackie's character becoming the star of Captain America: Brave New World.
Image credit: Marvel Studios
Despite Sam Wilson's tenure as Captain America in the comics, Steve Rogers eventually returned to his youthful state and resumed his duties. This recurring theme of the original hero returning is why fans continue to speculate about Chris Evans' comeback. However, is Anthony Mackie's position as Captain America in jeopardy, or is he the MCU's permanent fixture?
In a recent interview, Mackie expressed hope that his role would continue, stating, "I don’t know. I think when you look at Sam Wilson, I guess the life or the span of him being Captain America goes with how well the movie does. So go see the movie!" He believes that by the end of Brave New World, audiences will firmly see Sam Wilson as Captain America.
While Mackie seems uncertain about his character's future, he has a better chance of retaining the shield than Sebastian Stan's Bucky ever did. In the comics, Steve and Sam eventually agreed to share the Captain America mantle, both wielding shields and wearing the flag. Even if Chris Evans were to return in future films like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, Mackie's position as Captain America remains strong.
However, the MCU operates differently from the comics. Since its inception in 2008, the MCU has introduced a greater sense of permanence. Villains who die tend to stay dead, suggesting that Steve Rogers' retirement might indeed be final.
Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer, acknowledges the challenge of moving on from Steve Rogers: "We’re aware that, for some people, it’s hard to let go of Steve Rogers. We love Steve Rogers, he’s so fantastic. But I think that by the end of this movie, audiences are going to feel that Sam Wilson is Captain America, full stop."
Image credit: Marvel Studios
When asked about Mackie's permanent status as Captain America, Moore is unequivocal: "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him." From the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onward, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is firmly established as the MCU's Captain America, with no intention of being replaced. This sense of permanence adds higher stakes to the MCU narrative, distinguishing it from the cyclical nature of comic books.
Julius Onah, the director of Captain America: Brave New World, highlights the significance of permanent changes in the MCU: "When Tony Stark dies, that's a big deal. As a storyteller, you're just looking for the best dramatic playground for your actors to bring these characters to life. So it was a real treat for me to be able to [work with Sam’s role] in the MCU."
Onah also looks forward to how Sam Wilson will lead the Avengers in future storylines, emphasizing the importance of this role for Captain America.
By introducing permanent changes, Marvel aims to differentiate the MCU from the comics' repetitive cycles. Nate Moore explains, "I do think [permanent change] does make the MCU feel different than it did in phase one through three. Sam is Captain America, not Steve Rogers. He's a different person. And I think if you ask Sam who would be on the Avengers, it might be a different collection of people than Steve [would suggest]. So the way Sam might go about it could be completely different."
Moore adds, "But I think those questions are the questions we have fun with too. Because we want to explore every avenue – much like our fans do – and make sure if and when the time is right for the Avengers to come back, it's an Avengers that feels different, but also is worthy of the Avengers name."
As the MCU moves forward with many original Avengers now retired or deceased, it will be fascinating to see how future events differ from the Infinity War/Endgame era. One thing is clear: Anthony Mackie will lead the Avengers as the definitive Captain America, with no surprises or casting stunts planned.
