MCU’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series will see Sam Wilson as Captain America. And he has to keep up to the expectations.
Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) will always be one of the best leaders of the MCU Avengers, not only on the field but also in terms of his moral compass. His speeches and plans have always helped to Avengers in facing the enemy. And we can certainly say that MCU’s Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) has these Captain America like qualities too. Besides the fact that Sam has always supported Steve, it should also be agreed upon that Sam has proved himself worthy as the new Captain America through his words and actions. And even if he does not lead the Avengers, fans will expect the same morality and put the same trust in him. So, he needs to step up to be worthy of carrying the shield.
Anthony Mackie’s Captain America stint starts with The Falcon and The Winter Soldier on Disney+. The show is set to release sometime in the first half of 2021 and will continue MCU Phase 4. FTWS casts Mackie as new Captain America, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Daniel Brühl as Baron Zemo, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, Wyatt Russell as US Agent.
Sam Wilson’s New Shield To Yield
At the end of the Civil War, we see Steve drop his shield after his fight with Tony. In Infiniti War, T’Challa gave him his new Vibranium shields with which he fought against the forces of Thanos. The next appearance of Captain America’s Shield was not until the five-year lapse after Thanos’ snap. It is when we see Tony giving Steve his refurbished shield back as a sign of amends between them.
However, this would also turn out to be the one which Thanos broke into pieces in the final battle in Endgame. Steve didn’t even have a shield when he went back in time to place the Infiniti Stones where they were supposed to be. Nonetheless, on his return as an aged Steve at the end of MCU Endgame, we see him with his shield, that which he passed on to Sam Wilson. Marvel has not yet made any comments on this new shield with a different design. And there are chances that we will see it in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Watch: “On Your Left” Steve Rogers & Sam Wilson – Running Scene
Will Sam as Cap Lead The New Avengers?
Sam Wilson’s Captain America can be the new leader of the Avengers in Avengers 5. Well, the MCU is yet to show us how worthy he can be. But, we can make our assumptions, can’t we? The first reason is that Steve Rogers trusts him with responsibility. So much so that when Sam says that it feels “like it’s someone else’s,” Steve says, “It’s not.” This is the extent to which Steve believes that Sam will do justice to his role as Captain America.
The other reason relates to the storyline. The character of Sam Wilson has more time and suits the best as our new Cap. Captain America, after all, is a mortal superhero based on Earth who takes a firm stand for justice. We cannot say the same for the other popular choices among Avengers. For example, Captain Marvel moves back and forth between Earth and space, Thor is already somewhere in outer space, Black Panther has a nation to take care of, and Doctor Strange is busy keeping off magical threats. Also, there is the possibility of these characters joining different teams in the future of MCU.
Going my Marvel comics, Captain Marvel might lead the Ultimates. And Doctor Strange and Black Panther will join the Illuminati. So, Sam Wilson seems to fit into the role in a new avatar, which does make sense keeping in mind the fact that MCU Avengers 5 will showcase a whole new team of superheroes.
What Happens To MCU’s Government-aided US Agent?
While Steve has “appointed” Sam as the new Captain America, both these people are still vigilantes in the eyes of the government. A proof of this is the introduction of John Walker, who is a government agent and the government-sponsored Captain America.
So, we will also see a new dynamic between Sam Wilson and John Walker in MCU The Falcon and the Winter Solider. In Marvel comics, the US agent sometimes takes villainous steps. This also brings in the possibility of a face-off between Sam and John in the Disney+ series besides Baron Zemo. All these are things that Sam needs to take seriously.
How Sam Come To Terms With His New Role
More than anything else, the most crucial thing that Sam (Anthony Mackie) has to do is to come with terms to step into Captain America’s shoes in the MCU. It is a life-altering change to lead the Avengers. And since the government is against him, he may be figuratively stripped off of his rank as Captain America, especially when there is already another one. This can further add to his doubts about his worthiness about yielding the shield. Sam Wilson needs to find the confidence in himself to continue Steve’s legacy, which Steve himself handed over for him to continue in the MCU.
