Mackie's Captain America: A Permanent MCU Role?

Since Chris Evans hung up his Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, rumors of his return as Steve Rogers have persisted. He's repeatedly denied them, claiming retirement. Yet, these rumors remain, fueled by a key comic book trope: nobody really stays dead.

Death and rebirth are common in comics, and Captain America is no exception. Steve Rogers' assassination in the 2007 Civil War storyline was a pivotal moment, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle. However, this was temporary. Rogers was resurrected, returning to his rightful place.

Years later, Marvel repeated (sort of) the process. Steve's super-soldier serum was neutralized, aging him drastically. Sam Wilson (The Falcon) became the new Captain America, a storyline mirroring Anthony Mackie's MCU ascension in Captain America: Brave New World. But, shortly after Wilson's comic book debut as Captain America, Steve's aging was reversed, and he reclaimed the shield.

This pattern—seen also with Batman, Spider-Man, and Green Lantern—explains the persistent rumors about Chris Evans' return. The original always comes back. But is Anthony Mackie's Captain America permanent?

"I hope so!" Mackie stated in a recent interview. "I think…the life span of him being Captain America goes with how well the movie does. So go see the movie!"

Mackie has a better chance of long-term tenure than Sebastian Stan. While Bucky's comic book run ended, Steve's return saw him and Sam sharing the mantle. They both wield the shield; they are both Captain America. Even if Chris Evans returns in future Avengers films, Mackie's position seems secure.

However, the MCU differs from the comics. The MCU emphasizes permanence. Villains usually stay dead. This suggests Steve Rogers' farewell might be final.

"We're aware it's hard for some to let go of Steve Rogers," says Nate Moore, producer of Captain America: Brave New World. "But by the end, audiences will feel Sam Wilson *is* Captain America, full stop."

Moore confirms: "He is. He is. And we're so happy to have him." Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is the MCU's Captain America until his storyline concludes. He wasn't designed to be replaced. This permanence raises the stakes; there's no easy return. Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark are gone. Steve Rogers is…too old.

"When Tony Stark dies, that's a big deal," says Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World. "It was a treat to work with Sam's role in the MCU."

"It's exciting to see how he leads the Avengers going forward," Onah adds, referencing Captain America's crucial leadership role.

By establishing permanence, Marvel avoids the cyclical nature of the comics. "Sam is Captain America, not Steve Rogers," Moore explains. "He's a different person. The way Sam might lead the Avengers could be completely different."

"We want to explore every avenue…and make sure if and when the time is right for the Avengers to come back, it's an Avengers that feels different, but is worthy of the name."

With many original Avengers out of action, the MCU's next major event will differ from the Infinity War/Endgame era. But Anthony Mackie will be at the forefront, the one and only Captain America. Marvel has a history of avoiding casting surprises, so this seems certain.