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 Evans repeatedly denying these rumors and stating he's "happily retired," the speculation persists, fueled by the comic book trope that no one truly dies in the pages of Marvel.

The cycle of death and rebirth is a staple in comic books, and Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, is no exception. His assassination following the 2007 Civil War storyline was a pivotal moment in comic history, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle. However, as is often the case, Rogers' death was temporary, and he was eventually resurrected to reclaim his iconic role.

A few years later, another twist saw Steve's super-soldier serum neutralized, rendering him an elderly man unfit for the shield. This opened the door for Sam Wilson, also known as The Falcon, to step into the role of Captain America. This storyline directly influenced the MCU's decision to have Anthony Mackie's Falcon become the star of Captain America: Brave New World.

Yet, in the comics, Steve's aging was later reversed, and he resumed his duties as Captain America. This pattern of legacy characters returning to their roles fuels the ongoing rumors about Chris Evans' potential comeback. However, the question remains: Is Anthony Mackie's tenure as Captain America at risk, or is he the MCU's permanent Captain America?

"I hope so!" Mackie told us in a recent interview ahead of Brave New World. "I think when you look at Sam Wilson, the life or the span of him being Captain America goes with how well the movie does. So go see the movie!"

Mackie's optimism is grounded in the belief that by the end of the film, audiences will fully embrace Sam Wilson as Captain America. While Mackie may not know his character's ultimate fate, he stands a better chance of retaining the shield than his predecessor, Bucky Barnes. In the comics, Steve and Sam eventually agreed to share the mantle, both wielding a shield and wearing the flag, suggesting a possibility for coexistence within the MCU.

However, the MCU operates differently from its comic book roots, emphasizing greater permanence. When villains die in the films, they typically stay dead, unlike in the comics. This suggests that Steve Rogers' farewell in Endgame might indeed be final.

"We’re aware that, for some people, it’s hard to let go of Steve Rogers," says Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer involved with Captain America: Brave New World. "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 asked if Anthony Mackie is the MCU's permanent Captain America, Moore affirms, "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him."

This clarity indicates that from the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onwards, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is the MCU's Captain America until his storyline concludes. This sense of finality adds a different flavor to the MCU, raising the stakes and ensuring that once characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark are gone, they remain so.

"When Tony Stark dies, that's a big deal," says Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World. "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."

"It’s going to be exciting to see how he leads the Avengers going forward," Onah adds, highlighting the pivotal role Sam Wilson will play in the future of the Avengers.

By introducing a sense of permanence, Marvel aims to differentiate the MCU from the cyclical nature of the comic medium. "I do think [permanent change] does make the MCU feel different than it did in phase one through three," says Moore. "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."

"But I think those questions are the questions we have fun with too," he adds. "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 promises to differ significantly from the Infinity War/Endgame era, widely regarded as the pinnacle of Marvel Studios' achievements. One thing is certain: Anthony Mackie will be at the forefront, leading the Avengers as the one and only Captain America. Marvel has never intentionally misled fans with casting surprises, ensuring that Mackie's role is secure and central to the MCU's future.