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 repeatedly denied them, claiming retirement. Yet, the rumors endure, 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. Steve Rogers' assassination in the 2007 Civil War storyline was a pivotal moment, leading to Bucky Barnes taking up the mantle. But Rogers' death, like Bucky's Captain America tenure, proved temporary. Marvel found a way to bring him back. Years later, they (sort of) did it again, neutralizing his super-soldier serum, making him frail. This led to Sam Wilson (The Falcon) becoming Captain America, a storyline mirroring Anthony Mackie's MCU ascension in Captain America: Brave New World.

However, shortly after Wilson's comic book debut as Captain America, Steve's aging was reversed, 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 seems to come back. So, is Anthony Mackie's Captain America role secure?

"I hope so!" Mackie stated in a recent interview. "I think the life span of Sam Wilson as Captain America depends on the movie's success. So go see the movie!"

Mackie has a stronger claim to the shield than Sebastian Stan ever did. While Bucky's comic book run ended, Steve's return saw him and Sam sharing the mantle—both wielding the shield, embodying Captain America. Even if Chris Evans returns in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, Mackie's position is strong.

But the MCU isn't the comics. Since 2008, the MCU has prioritized permanence. Villains typically stay dead (Maliketh, Kaecilius, Ego). Steve Rogers' farewell seems final.

"For some, letting go of Steve Rogers is hard," says MCU producer Nate Moore. "But by the end, audiences will feel Sam Wilson *is* Captain America." Moore confirms: "He is. He is. And we're so happy to have him."

Since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is the MCU's Captain America. This permanence alters the MCU's feel; the stakes are higher. Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark are gone. Steve Rogers is… retired.

"When Tony Stark dies, it'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'll be exciting to see how he leads the Avengers," Onah adds, referencing Captain America's crucial leadership role.

By establishing permanence, Marvel avoids the cyclical nature of comics. "Sam is Captain America, not Steve Rogers," Moore explains. "He's a different person. His Avengers team might differ from Steve's. His approach would be different."

With many original Avengers out, the MCU's next major event will differ from the Infinity War/Endgame era. But Anthony Mackie will be central, leading the Avengers as the *one and only* Captain America. Marvel isn't known for casting stunts, is it?