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," these rumors persist, fueled by a fundamental truth of comic books: no one really stays dead.

In the world of comics, death and rebirth are common occurrences. Steve Rogers himself experienced this when he was assassinated following Marvel's 2007 Civil War storyline, a pivotal moment in modern comic book history. This led to Bucky Barnes stepping up as the new Captain America, though this was only a temporary mantle. Eventually, Steve was brought back, reclaiming his iconic role.

Years later, another twist saw Steve's super-soldier serum neutralized, aging him into a frail old man unable to wield the shield. This time, Sam Wilson, known as The Falcon, took on the role of Captain America, a storyline that directly influenced the MCU's Captain America: Brave New World, featuring Anthony Mackie as the titular hero.

However, just a few years after Wilson became the new Captain America in the comics, Steve's aging was reversed, and he resumed his duties. This pattern of the original character returning is seen across various comic book heroes like Batman, Spider-Man, and Green Lantern, explaining why rumors of Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers continue to circulate. Is Anthony Mackie's position as Captain America at risk, or is he the MCU's permanent Captain America?

In a recent interview before Brave New World, Mackie expressed hope about his role, saying, "I hope so! I think when you look at Sam Wilson, I guess the life or the span of him being Captain America goes with how well the movie does. So go see the movie!" He believes that by the end of the film, audiences will see Sam Wilson as Captain America unequivocally.

While Mackie remains uncertain about his character's future, he has a better chance of retaining the shield than Sebastian Stan's Bucky ever did. In the comics, Steve and Sam eventually agreed to share the Captain America mantle, both wielding shields and wearing the flag. Thus, even if Chris Evans were to return in future projects like Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, Mackie's hold on the title seems secure.

Yet, the MCU differs from its comic book roots in one crucial way: a greater sense of permanence. When villains die in the films, they typically stay dead, suggesting that Steve Rogers' farewell in Endgame might indeed be final.

"We’re aware that, for some people, it’s hard to let go of Steve Rogers," says Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer and key figure behind 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 confidently affirmed, "He is. He is. And we’re so happy to have him."

From the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onward, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is the MCU's Captain America, a role not designed to be replaced. This permanence sets the MCU apart from the comics, raising the stakes and ensuring that characters like Natasha Romanoff, Thanos, and Tony Stark remain gone.

"When Tony Stark dies, that's a big deal," says Julius Onah, director of Captain America: Brave New World. "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 is excited about Sam Wilson leading the Avengers, highlighting the significance of this role for the MCU's future.

With many original Avengers now retired or deceased, the upcoming major MCU event promises to be different from the Infinity War/Endgame era. Yet, one thing is certain: Anthony Mackie will be at the forefront, leading the Avengers as the one and only Captain America.