The Marvel Cinematic Universe gets a lot of understandable criticism for its VFX-driven spectacle. Some projects feel half-formed, relying on explosions and callbacks to keep the audience’s attention. Captain America is one of several excellent characters who make up the beating heart of the franchise. In truth, performances by stars like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. carried the best moments of the MCU. Now that Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is preparing for his first film as Captain America, the franchise has to make a few tough decisions about his presentation.
The loss of icons like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. will test some theories about the MCU. Some have argued that the franchise exists partially because it’s so much more profitable to sell characters than actors. However, a massive profit loss immediately following the absence of the fanbase’s favorite performers would shake that expectation. The obvious answer is that Marvel must swiftly replace those beloved icons with new ones.
Captain America: Brave New World is a new frontier for Sam Wilson
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Director |
Julius Onah |
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Writers |
Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Matthew Orton |
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Stars |
Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Giancarlo Esposito, Harrison Ford |
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Release Date |
February 14, 2025 |
Sam Wilson first appeared in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The following year, he appeared in the final moments of Avengers: Age of Ultron as one of the team’s new members. By Civil War, he was established as one of Steve Rogers’ closest companions. Steve and Tony, the franchise’s twin stars, each had a close confidant to bring into every scenario. Sam played that supporting role well. He returned for Infinity War and Endgame, though he lost the great cosmic coin toss before the grand finale. Then, with Steve’s graceful exit after Endgame, Sam held the shield. Falcon and the Winter Soldier was an important transitionary period, but it wasn’t a particularly good introduction. That series takes Sam from where he was when Steve left to who he’ll have to become in his first solo film. He still has impossibly huge shoes to fill.
Steve Rogers was one of Marvel’s best characters
Steve Rogers has appeared in three solo projects and four Avengers films. He shares the spotlight with Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, but no one can argue that the two of them aren’t the franchise’s central figures. Chris Evans brought such sincerity, vulnerability, and charm to the character. Perhaps more than any other superhero, the Captain America films explore Steve as a character. He’s a shining light, even among the most delightful characters. In Steve, Marvel accomplished the thing several filmmakers and writers failed to deliver with Superman. He’s a paragon of moral righteousness, but he’s also a complete person with faults. It’s one of the most powerful portrayals of a character in the comic-book movie genre. The franchise is poorer for his absence, but his exit allows him to remain untarnished by any future projects. Without Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson has to step up and fill the void. That’s a very significant demand, and it needs to be the central focus of Captain America: Brave New World.
Brave New World is about Sam Wilson’s Captain America
One of the most moving moments in the first Brave New World trailer involves Harrison Ford calling out Sam Wilson. He insults the new Cap by insisting that while Sam has the mantle, he’ll never be Steve Rogers. Sam, in perhaps the only reasonable way he could respond, simply affirmed his assertion. Sam isn’t Steve Rogers. He has a lot of things in common with Steve. He was close enough to become his best friend. He may have even looked up to him as a mentor. Sam had a radically different experience before, during, and after his adventures with Steve. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier touches on Sam’s upbringing and its affects on his work as a hero. Brave New World needs to dig deeper into Sam’s moral philosophy, motivations, and methods. Making the character distinct shouldn’t be a challenge, but his work under the Captain America mantle should feel notably different. Sam’s path to the shield should result in something more than a new suit and a set of colorful wings. Brave New World has to discover a new perspective on one of the most compelling heroes in the MCU.
It’s worth noting that Steve Rogers spent a little over half of his time as Captain America on the run from the United States government. Even in the earliest days, he was disobeying the orders of the nation that gave him his name. Steve found a lot of his character traits while wearing the flag his way. Sam will have to do the same. He’ll find new ways to lead from the frontline and carry out his own justice. With a mandate from the masses likely out of the question, it will be interesting to see how Sam Wilson wields the shield.
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