Ever since Chris Evans hung up his Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, rumors have swirled about his potential return as Steve Rogers. Despite repeatedly denying these rumors and stating he’s "happily retired," the speculation persists, fueled by the comic book tradition where no character truly stays dead forever.
In the world of comics, death and rebirth are common themes, and Steve Rogers is no exception. His assassination following the 2007 Civil War storyline marked a pivotal moment, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle of Captain America. However, like many comic book resurrections, Steve's death was temporary, and he eventually reclaimed his iconic role.
Years later, Marvel introduced another twist when Steve's super-soldier serum was neutralized, leaving him frail and unable to wield the shield. This opened the door for Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, to step into the role of Captain America. This transition directly influenced the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), culminating in Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson as the star of Captain America: Brave New World.
Despite Sam Wilson taking up the mantle in the comics, Steve Rogers eventually reversed his aging and returned to action. This recurring theme in comics, seen with characters like Batman and Spider-Man, fuels the ongoing rumors about Chris Evans' potential return. Yet, is Anthony Mackie's position as Captain America in jeopardy, or is he the MCU's permanent fixture in the role?
In a recent interview ahead of Brave New World, Mackie expressed hope for a long tenure as Captain America, acknowledging that the character's future depends on the film's success. "I think that by the end of this movie, audiences are going to feel that Sam Wilson is Captain America, full stop," he stated. While Mackie is unsure about his character's long-term fate, the collaboration between Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson in the comics, where both share the Captain America mantle, suggests that even if Chris Evans returns in future Avengers films like Doomsday or Secret Wars, Mackie could still hold onto the title.
However, the MCU differs from its comic book origins by introducing a greater sense of permanence. When villains die in the films, they typically stay dead, suggesting that Steve Rogers' retirement might indeed be final.
Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer involved with Captain America: Brave New World, acknowledges the difficulty fans have in letting go of Steve Rogers but emphasizes the MCU's commitment to Sam Wilson as the new Captain America. "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 stated. When directly asked if Mackie is the permanent Captain America, Moore affirmed, "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him."
This commitment to permanence sets the MCU apart from its comic book counterpart, where characters often return from the dead. The deaths of characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark underscore the higher stakes in the MCU. Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, highlighted the dramatic impact of permanent changes, such as Tony Stark's death, and expressed excitement about exploring Sam Wilson's leadership within the Avengers.
As the MCU moves forward, with many original Avengers out of action, the spotlight will be on Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson to lead the team into new adventures. The MCU aims to differentiate itself from the cyclical nature of comics, ensuring that when the Avengers return, they will feel fresh yet worthy of their storied legacy. With Mackie firmly established as the MCU's Captain America, fans can look forward to seeing how he shapes the future of the Avengers.
