Since Chris Evans hung up his Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, rumors have swirled about his potential return as Steve Rogers. Despite his repeated denials and claims of being "happily retired," the speculation persists, fueled by a fundamental truth in comic books: no one stays dead forever.
In the world of comics, death and resurrection are commonplace, 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. Yet, this change was temporary, and Rogers was eventually brought back to life, reclaiming his iconic role. Similarly, when Steve's super-soldier serum was neutralized, leaving him frail and elderly, Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, stepped into the Captain America role. This transition directly influenced the MCU, with Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson leading to his starring role in Captain America: Brave New World.
Image credit: Marvel Studios
Despite Sam Wilson's ascension in the comics, Steve Rogers' aging was later reversed, allowing him to resume his duties as Captain America. This pattern of returning to the original hero is not unique to Captain America; it's a recurring theme across many comic book franchises, including Batman, Spider-Man, and Green Lantern. This cyclical nature fuels the rumors about Chris Evans' return.
When asked about his future as Captain America, Anthony Mackie expressed hope, tying his tenure to the success of Brave New World: "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!" Mackie's confidence in his role is bolstered by the fact that, unlike Bucky's temporary stint, Sam Wilson has been positioned as a long-term Captain America, even sharing the mantle with Steve Rogers in the comics.
Image credit: Marvel Studios
However, the MCU differs significantly from its comic book origins in one crucial aspect: permanence. When characters die in the MCU, they tend to stay dead, adding a sense of finality that contrasts with the comics' more fluid continuity. This sense of permanence is evident in the deaths of characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark, and it seems to apply to Steve Rogers as well.
Nate Moore, a key producer in the MCU, emphasizes this shift: "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." When directly asked if Mackie is the MCU's permanent Captain America, Moore's response is unequivocal: "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him."
This commitment to permanence shapes the MCU's narrative landscape, making the stakes feel higher and more impactful. Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, highlights the dramatic potential this brings: "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 seeing how Sam Wilson will lead the Avengers, a crucial aspect of the Captain America role: "It’s going to be exciting to see how he leads the Avengers going forward."
With many original Avengers now gone, the MCU's future events will undoubtedly differ from the high-water mark set by Infinity War and Endgame. Yet, one thing remains clear: Anthony Mackie will be at the forefront, leading the Avengers as the sole Captain America. Marvel has never misled fans with casting surprises, ensuring that Mackie's role as Captain America is as definitive as it gets.
