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 as Steve Rogers. Despite his repeated denials and claims of being "happily retired," the speculation continues to thrive, fueled by a fundamental comic book trope: no one really stays dead forever.

In comic books, death and rebirth are staples, and Steve Rogers, the original Captain America, has experienced this cycle firsthand. Following his assassination post the 2007 Civil War storyline, the mantle of Captain America was temporarily passed to Bucky Barnes. Yet, as is often the case, Steve Rogers was eventually brought back to life, resuming his iconic role.

Years later, another twist saw Steve's super-soldier serum neutralized, leaving him frail and unable to wield the shield. This time, Sam Wilson, known as The Falcon, stepped into the Captain America role, a move that set the stage for Anthony Mackie's portrayal in the MCU, culminating in Captain America: Brave New World.

However, not long after Sam Wilson took up the mantle in the comics, Steve's aging was reversed, and he returned to action. This recurring theme of legacy characters returning to their roles fuels the ongoing rumors about Chris Evans reprising his role. But is Anthony Mackie's position as Captain America at risk, or is he the MCU's permanent holder of the title?

In a recent interview, Mackie expressed hope about his continued tenure as Captain America, emphasizing that his future in the role hinges on 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.

While Mackie remains uncertain about his character's long-term fate, he stands a better chance than predecessors like Sebastian Stan, who played Bucky Barnes. In recent comics, Steve and Sam have shared the Captain America mantle, both wielding the shield and donning the flag. This partnership suggests that even if Chris Evans returns in future films like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, Mackie could still maintain his significant role.

However, the MCU differs from its comic book origins in one crucial aspect: a greater sense of permanence. Villains like Malekith, Kaecilius, and Ego typically stay dead, suggesting that Steve Rogers' departure might indeed be final.

"We're aware that, for some people, it's hard to let go of Steve Rogers," said 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 was unequivocal: "He is. He is. And we're so happy to have him."

This commitment to permanence sets the MCU apart from its comic book counterpart, raising the stakes and ensuring that once a character like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, or Tony Stark is gone, they stay gone. Steve Rogers, now aged and retired, appears to fit into this narrative.

Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World, highlighted the importance of this permanence, stating, "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."

By embracing this sense of permanence, Marvel aims to differentiate the MCU from the cyclical nature of comics. "I do think [permanent change] does make the MCU feel different than it did in phase one through three," Moore explained. "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 added. "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, widely regarded as Marvel Studios' peak. Yet, one thing remains clear: Anthony Mackie will lead the Avengers as the one and only Captain America, marking a new era for the franchise.