Anthony Mackie: MCU's New Permanent Captain America?

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 (MCU) as Steve Rogers. Despite his repeated denials and claims of being "happily retired," the speculation persists, fueled by a key aspect of comic book lore: characters often return from the dead.

In the world of comics, death and rebirth are common themes, and Steve Rogers is no exception. Following his assassination after Marvel's 2007 Civil War storyline, Bucky Barnes took up the mantle of Captain America. However, Steve's demise was temporary, and he was eventually brought back to his "rightful" position. A few years later, when Steve's super-soldier serum was neutralized, turning him into a frail old man, Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, stepped in as the new Captain America. This transition paved the way for Anthony Mackie's character to become the star of Captain America: Brave New World in the MCU.

Despite Sam Wilson taking on the role in the comics, Steve Rogers soon returned to his duties. This pattern of the original hero reclaiming their title is common across various comic book series, including those featuring Batman, Spider-Man, and Green Lantern. It's this recurring theme that fuels the rumors about Chris Evans' return. However, does this mean Anthony Mackie's position as Captain America is at risk, or is he the MCU's permanent Captain America?

In a recent interview before the release of Brave New World, Mackie expressed hope that his tenure as Captain America would be long-lasting, suggesting that the success of the movie could influence his character's future. He stated, "I think that by the end of this movie, audiences are going to feel that Sam Wilson is Captain America, full stop."

While Mackie may not know his character's ultimate fate, he has a strong chance of retaining the shield longer than his predecessor, Bucky Barnes, did in the comics. Recent comic storylines have seen Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson working together, both wielding the shield and sharing the Captain America mantle. This partnership suggests that even if Chris Evans were to return in future films like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, Mackie could still hold onto the title.

However, the MCU differs from its comic book counterpart in one significant way: a greater sense of permanence. Villains and heroes who die in the films typically stay dead, adding higher stakes to the narrative. This approach suggests that Steve Rogers' departure might indeed be final.

Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer, acknowledges the difficulty some fans have in letting go of Steve Rogers but emphasizes that by the end of Brave New World, audiences will recognize Sam Wilson as the definitive Captain America. When asked directly if Mackie is the permanent Captain America, Moore affirmed, "He is. He is. And we're so happy to have him."

From the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onwards, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is firmly established as the MCU's Captain America, designed not to be replaced. This sense of permanence distinguishes the MCU from its source material, where characters often cycle in and out of their roles. The deaths of characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark are final, and it seems Steve Rogers has followed suit.

Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, emphasized the dramatic potential of permanent change, highlighting the excitement of exploring Sam Wilson's leadership role with the Avengers moving forward.

By instilling a sense of permanence in its films, Marvel aims to avoid the cyclical nature of comics, seeking to create a different experience for its audience. Nate Moore noted that Sam Wilson's approach as Captain America would differ from Steve Rogers', potentially leading to a unique lineup of Avengers in future films.

As the MCU evolves and many original Avengers are no longer in action, the upcoming major events will undoubtedly differ from the peak years of Infinity War and Endgame. One thing remains certain: Anthony Mackie will lead the Avengers as the sole Captain America, a role that Marvel has clearly and purposefully established for him.