Marvel Studios’ decision to have the character of Sam Wilson take on the mantle of Captain America was a bold move, and one that people are still judging. After Captain America: Brave New World, everyone started to form their opinion on whether Anthony Mackie’s role would be capable of replacing Chris Evans.
Evans left some big shoes to fill due to how brilliant he was within the role, but Mackie added his own twist to the role in Captain America: Brave New World, which was important. However, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has now weighed in on the character change, and his comments have fans concerned about Wilson’s future.
Kevin Feige Has Reflected On Captain America: Brave New World’s Failure
The Marvel Studios President Didn’t Give Anthony Mackie A Vote Of Confidence
Mackie was given his first major test as Captain America earlier this year when his first standalone movie, Captain America: Brave New World, was released. Unfortunately, it didn’t prove to be a resounding success, gaining just a 46% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. More importantly, the movie only grossed $415 million worldwide, leaving most people who viewed the film to consider it a failure for Marvel Studios. It was massively down from the $714.1 million that Captain America: The Winter Soldier grossed, or the staggering $1.15 billion that Civil War earned. That level of failure is something Feige is looking to avoid at all costs; therefore, answers were needed to explain why it didn’t perform.
There are various factors involved in this, with Captain America: Brave New World being embroiled in the Hollywood strikes, which led to numerous changes. Meanwhile, the advertisement made it seem like Red Hulk was far more involved than he actually was.
Although the movie had many enjoyable moments, it ultimately failed for Marvel Studios, and that’s something Feige has reflected on during a recent press conference. He said the reason for the poor box office return was that it “was the first without Chris Evans.” While that likely played a factor in things, having the Marvel Studios President publicly confirm it wasn’t a vote of confidence in Mackie and the work he’s doing. It has cast a shadow of doubt over whether Wilson will be used in the long term in this role, as the lack of faith could result in him being moved on.
Kevin Feige Has Already confirmed Major MCU characters Will Be Recast
Sam Wilson Might Not Get A Long Run With The Shield
In addition to Feige’s comments about Captain America: Brave New World, he has also recently made it clear that some of the franchise’s biggest characters will be recast in the future. In a similar way to how Batman and Superman have been treated over the years, Feige has made it clear that the likes of Iron Man and Captain America will likely be recast in order for them to start anew. While that makes sense with Iron Man due to Tony Stark being killed off, Marvel Studios has already technically recast the role of Captain America. Even though it isn’t starting the role from the beginning again, it is a fresh actor in that position who is telling entirely new stories.
However, Feige’s comments just serve as another reason for fans of Sam Wilson’s character to be worried about his future in the MCU. It’s hard to imagine that he would be kept alive if a recasting were to take place; therefore, there is a chance that an emotional scene could be coming in his future. At this moment, there are no further Captain America movies planned, and that in itself is troubling.
Sam Wilson’s Version Of Captain America Will Lead The Avengers
Avengers: Doomsday Will Be A Significant Test For The Character
While there may be some doubts surrounding Wilson’s long-term portrayal as Captain America, it has been confirmed that the character will lead The Avengers in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Much like Steve Rogers did alongside Tony Stark, Wilson will be given the chance to take control of the most powerful superhero group in the MCU, which is a vote of confidence. There are many significant characters, such as Thor, who could easily have taken on that responsibility. However, the fact that Feige is entrusting Wilson’s version of Captain America with the role is a sign that Marvel Studios believes the character will ultimately work out and be a success. Avengers: Doomsday will position him in a manner that will guarantee fans take him seriously as Captain America, and that might have been what was missing heading into Captain America: Brave New World.
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Prior to that movie, Wilson had been seen as the Falcon, essentially a sidekick to Captain America, and a supporting player in the Avengers movies in which he appeared. That made the leap to being the lead character a significant one, which could’ve caused fans to have some doubts. This is where Avengers: Doomsday will be under pressure, because how this version of Captain America is shown will dictate how people perceive him moving forward. If Wilson is going to be in that role for the long term, then he needs to be one of the lead characters in Avengers: Doomsday, as that movie is guaranteed to draw a lot of attention. That would then set him up perfectly for another standalone movie, where the flaws of Captain America: Brave New World would hopefully be set aside.