Ever since Chris Evans hung up his Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, rumors have swirled that he might return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as Steve Rogers. Despite his repeated denials and claims of being "happily retired," the speculation persists, fueled by the comic book tradition where characters often return from the dead.
In comic books, death and rebirth are common themes. Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, has experienced this cycle firsthand. Following his assassination in the 2007 Civil War storyline, Bucky Barnes took up the mantle. However, Steve's return was inevitable, as is often the case in comics. Later, when Steve's super-soldier serum was neutralized, turning him into an elderly man, Sam Wilson, known as The Falcon, stepped into the role. This transition paved the way for Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Captain America in the upcoming film, Captain America: Brave New World.
Despite these changes, Steve Rogers eventually reclaimed his role in the comics, contributing to the persistent rumors about Chris Evans' potential return. However, Anthony Mackie remains optimistic about his tenure as Captain America, stating, "I hope so! 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!" Mackie's performance aims to solidify Sam Wilson as the definitive Captain America.
The MCU, unlike its comic book counterpart, emphasizes a sense of permanence. When characters die, they typically stay dead, adding weight to the narrative. This approach suggests that Steve Rogers' farewell in Endgame might indeed be final. Nate Moore, a key producer in the MCU, reinforces this sentiment: "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."
Moore's statement is clear: from the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onward, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is the MCU's Captain America until his storyline concludes. This permanence adds a different flavor to the MCU, making the stakes feel higher. Characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark have met definitive ends, and Steve Rogers seems to have joined their ranks.
Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, emphasizes the importance of this shift: "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, a crucial aspect of the Captain America role.
The MCU's approach to character permanence aims to differentiate it from the cyclical nature of comic books. 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."
This new direction promises an Avengers team that feels fresh yet worthy of its iconic name, especially with many original members now out of action. As the MCU moves beyond the Infinity War/Endgame era, Anthony Mackie's Captain America will be at the forefront, leading the charge into a new chapter of Marvel storytelling.
