Is Anthony Mackie the 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 character is ever truly gone forever.

In the world of comics, death and rebirth are common occurrences, and Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, is no exception. After his assassination following Marvel’s 2007 Civil War storyline, Bucky Barnes took up the mantle. However, Steve's death was temporary, and he was eventually brought back, reclaiming his iconic role. 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 of Captain America. This storyline laid the groundwork for Anthony Mackie's portrayal of Sam Wilson as the new Captain America in the MCU's Captain America: Brave New World.

Yet, just a few years after Sam Wilson took up the shield in the comics, Steve Rogers was rejuvenated and resumed his duties. This recurring pattern of legacy and return in comics fuels the speculation around Chris Evans' potential comeback. However, Anthony Mackie remains hopeful 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 confidence is bolstered by the fact that in recent comic storylines, Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson agreed to share the Captain America mantle, both wielding shields and wearing the flag. This development suggests that even if Chris Evans were to return in future films like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, Mackie could continue as Captain America.

However, the MCU differs significantly from the comics in its approach to permanence. When characters die in the MCU, they usually stay dead, adding a sense of finality that the comics often lack. This approach was emphasized by Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer, who stated, "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 further confirmed Mackie's permanent status as Captain America, saying, "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him." This statement underscores the MCU's commitment to Sam Wilson as the new Captain America, a role he will hold until his storyline concludes.

The sense of permanence in the MCU elevates the stakes, as seen with the irreversible deaths of characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark. Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, highlighted the importance of this approach, saying, "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 expressed excitement about Sam Wilson's future, noting, "It’s going to be exciting to see how he leads the Avengers going forward." This statement emphasizes Sam's pivotal role in the MCU's future, leading the Avengers as the sole Captain America.

By instilling a sense of permanence in the films, Marvel aims to differentiate the MCU from its more cyclical comic book roots. Nate Moore noted, "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."

Moore added, "But I think those questions are the questions we have fun with too. Because we want to explore every avenue – much like our fans do – and make sure if and when the time is right for the Avengers to come back, it's an Avengers that feels different, but also is worthy of the Avengers name."

With many original Avengers now retired or deceased, the MCU's next major event will undoubtedly differ from the Infinity War/Endgame era. Yet, one thing remains certain: Anthony Mackie will lead the Avengers as the definitive Captain America, showcasing Marvel's commitment to his character's enduring legacy.