Captain America has long been considered the leader of the Avengers, and no less is expected of the hero when Avengers: Doomsday comes out in theaters next December. Sam Wilson is set to continue that tradition, as established in Captain America: Brave New World. But with Steve Rogers now confirmed to return, will that affect Sam’s well-earned and deserved role as the next leader of the Avengers?
Let's dive into the highs and lows of this apparent comeback for Steve.
How would Steve Rogers affect Sam Wilson’s role in Avengers: Doomsday?
Once only available to watch only before screenings of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the first Avengers: Doomsday teaser trailer has now been released online - and it features the return of Chris Evans’s Steve Rogers. What’s important to note is that the preview ends with "Steve Rogers will return in Avengers: Doomsday." This seemingly establishes that he’ll just be Steve, retired superhero and civilian — not Captain America. But how big will his role be? Is his appearance going to be a small part of the multiversal chaos, or will he be actively involved with Doctor Doom? The full context is still a year away.
Nevertheless, the distinction is essential. Saying Steve is returning instead of “Captain America” means Marvel isn’t trying to invalidate Sam and is further establishing him as the MCU’s Captain America. Steve, however, will always be seen as Captain America. He was the first one to wield the shield, and he will always be the standard for Captain America. It doesn’t matter if he has retired and left the title behind. The association will be everlasting — both in reality and the fictional world of the MCU.
Steve and Sam were a great duo. They worked well together, understood each other, and grew as people and heroes because of their friendship and partnership. In the comics, Steve and Sam both currently hold the Captain America mantle. They’ll operate on their own, and they’ve even teamed up as Captain Americas. But that wouldn’t necessarily work in the current MCU. The universe is constructed to have just one Captain America and, right now, that’s Sam. And he has yet to get his fair shot at being Captain America, so it’d be disrespectful for him to have to share the mantle so soon.
That’s why Steve’s inclusion in Avengers: Doomsday needs to be independent of not only Sam but also other Avengers and heroes he fought alongside before. Otherwise, it undermines Sam’s role — the one he gave Sam. Because, for some people, Steve’s presence will likely already do that just by default. This is ultimately what’s worrisome about Steve’s return. But there’s good reason to think this won’t jeopardize or overstep Sam’s role or responsibilities.
Since leaving Captain America behind, Chris Evans has spoken fondly of Steve’s ending in Avengers: Endgame. Evans has explained that he wouldn’t want to return to the role just for the sake of money and excitement or if it would ruin that conclusion. He has also been vocal about supporting Sam as Captain America. So it’s fair to believe that, whatever Avengers: Doomsday has in store for Steve, it won’t hinder Sam’s narrative.
Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America has just started
Sam made his MCU debut in 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After five years of being Steve’s right-hand man, he was set up to become the next Captain America. It took two years for the MCU to truly feature Sam as Cap, though.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ultimately ended with Sam fully accepting the Captain America mantle, but it first explored Sam’s reluctance to don the stars and stripes. It was an important examination of what Captain America represents, what the U.S. actually is, and the complications of being a Black man who serves a country that historically has been against him.
Sam wielding the shield in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was just a glimpse. It teased the Captain America that he’d be and we’d see moving forward. Captain America: Brave New World was the first time Sam was firmly Cap. In-universe, he was established as that hero. He was no longer seen as Falcon. He was legitimately regarded as Captain America by the public — America and beyond.
An episode of a Disney+ series and a movie. That’s all there is to Sam’s tenure as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far. This is still just the start for him. He has proven to be a solid mentor for the new Falcon, Joaquín Torres. He can take on, survive, and talk down a Red Hulk. But what else can he do?
Avengers: Doomsday should be a significant next step in Sam’s journey as Captain America. He deserves to be at the forefront, the person who assembles the Avengers. He deserves to take the lead on a threat as large as Doctor Doom and show just how much he is capable of. He was meant to lead this next generation of the MCU, and he hasn’t fulfilled that duty yet.
Sam has inherited the mantle, embraced his role, and become a Captain America for the people. Now, Sam needs to lead as the one and only Captain America. Let’s hope Avengers: Doomsday gives him that chance.