Is Anthony Mackie the MCU's Permanent Captain America?

Since Chris Evans hung up his Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, rumors of his return as Steve Rogers have persisted. He's consistently denied them, claiming a happy retirement. However, these rumors are fueled by a key difference between the MCU and comic books: in comics, no one truly 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 major event, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle. But this, like Steve's death, proved 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 ascension in Captain America: Brave New World.

However, Steve's aging was reversed in the comics, and he resumed his role. This, along with similar revivals of 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's chances of retaining the shield are stronger than Sebastian Stan's ever were. While Bucky's tenure ended in the comics, Steve and Sam's collaboration saw them both wielding the shield. Even if Chris Evans returns in future Avengers films, Mackie has a strong claim to the title.

The MCU, however, differs from the comics. Since 2008, the MCU has prioritized permanence. Villains usually stay dead, unlike in the comics. Steve Rogers' departure feels final.

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

Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is Captain America until his storyline concludes. This permanence adds a different dimension to the MCU; the stakes are higher. Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark are gone for good. Steve Rogers is simply too old.

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

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 go about it could be completely different."

The future Avengers will differ from the Infinity War/Endgame era. Anthony Mackie will lead as the *one and only* Captain America. Marvel isn't known for casting stunts, so his position seems secure.