Anthony Mackie Confirmed as MCU's 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," these rumors persist, fueled by a fundamental truth of comic books: no one really stays dead.

In the world of comics, death and rebirth are common occurrences, and Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, has experienced this cycle firsthand. His assassination following the 2007 Civil War storyline marked a pivotal moment in comic history, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle of Captain America. However, this change was temporary, and Rogers was eventually brought back to life, resuming his iconic role.

Years later, another twist saw Steve's super-soldier serum neutralized, rendering him an elderly man 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 from the comics directly influenced the MCU, setting the stage for Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Captain America in the upcoming film, Captain America: Brave New World.

Image credit: Marvel Studios

Yet, just as in the comics, Steve Rogers' aging was eventually reversed, and he reclaimed his shield. This pattern of character returns in comics fuels the speculation about Evans' potential comeback. However, the question remains: Is Mackie's role as Captain America in jeopardy, or is he the MCU's permanent Captain America?

In a recent interview, Mackie expressed hope about his future as Captain America, linking it to the success of Brave New World. "I think that by the end of this movie, audiences are going to feel that Sam Wilson is Captain America, full stop," he stated. Despite the cyclical nature of comic book characters, Mackie's Sam Wilson seems poised to hold onto the shield longer than Bucky Barnes did in the comics, especially with the shared Captain America mantle between Steve and Sam in recent storylines.

However, the MCU differs from its comic book origins by instilling a sense of permanence. When characters die in the films, they generally stay dead, as seen with villains like Malekith, Kaecilius, and Ego. This suggests that Steve Rogers' retirement might indeed be final.

Nate Moore, a seasoned MCU producer, acknowledges the difficulty some fans have in moving on from 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," he affirmed. When asked if Mackie is the MCU's permanent Captain America, Moore's response was unequivocal: "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him."

Image credit: Marvel Studios

From the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onward, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson has been established as the MCU's Captain America. This permanence adds a different flavor to the MCU compared to the comics, raising the stakes and ensuring that once a character's story ends, it stays ended. The deaths of Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark highlight this approach.

Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, emphasizes the importance of dramatic storytelling in the MCU. "When Tony Stark dies, that's a big deal," he noted, expressing excitement about exploring Sam Wilson's leadership role with the Avengers.

As the MCU evolves, with many original Avengers now retired or deceased, the future of the franchise hinges on new characters and narratives. Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is set to lead the Avengers in upcoming major events, marking a new era for the MCU. The studio aims to differentiate itself from the cyclical nature of comics, ensuring that when characters like Captain America take on new roles, they do so with lasting impact.