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 claim of being "happily retired," the speculation persists, fueled by a key principle of comic books: no one really stays dead.

In the world of comics, death and rebirth are recurring themes, and Steve Rogers is no exception. His assassination following Marvel's 2007 Civil War storyline marked a significant moment in comic history, leading to the mantle being passed to Bucky Barnes, who became the new Captain America. However, this was temporary, and Steve Rogers was eventually brought back to his "rightful" place.

Years later, Marvel introduced another twist: Steve's super-soldier serum was neutralized, turning him into a frail old man unable to wield the shield. This paved the way for Sam Wilson, aka The Falcon, to take up the mantle of Captain America in the comics, a storyline that influenced the MCU's Captain America: Brave New World, featuring Anthony Mackie as the titular hero.

"I hope so!" Mackie exclaimed in a recent interview ahead of Brave New World. "I think when you look at Sam Wilson, the lifespan of him being Captain America goes with how well the movie does. So go see the movie!"

Mackie seems confident that by the end of the film, audiences will see Sam Wilson as the definitive Captain America. Although he may not know his character's ultimate fate, Mackie stands a better chance of retaining the shield than his predecessor, Sebastian Stan, who played Bucky Barnes. 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 returns in future Avengers films like Doomsday or Secret Wars, Mackie could still hold onto the title.

However, the MCU differs from the comics in its sense of permanence. Since its inception in 2008, the MCU has maintained that when a character dies, they usually stay dead. This suggests that Steve Rogers might have indeed said his final goodbye.

"We’re aware that, for some people, it’s hard to let go of Steve Rogers," says Nate Moore, a veteran MCU producer involved with 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."

This clarity suggests that from the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier onward, Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson is the MCU's Captain America until his storyline concludes. This sense of permanence sets the MCU apart from the comics, where characters often return, and it heightens the stakes in the films.

"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."

"It’s going to be exciting to see how he leads the Avengers going forward," Onah adds, highlighting the crucial role Captain America plays in leading the Avengers.

"But I think those questions are the questions we have fun with too," he adds. "Because we want to explore every avenue – much like our fans do – and make sure if and when the time is right for the Avengers to come back, it's an Avengers that feels different, but also is worthy of the Avengers name."

With many original Avengers now retired or deceased, it will be fascinating to see how the MCU's next major event differs from the Infinity War/Endgame era, widely regarded as the peak of Marvel Studios' output. One thing is certain: Anthony Mackie will be at the forefront, leading the Avengers as the definitive Captain America. Because Marvel has never purposefully obscured the truth and later pulled some kind of casting stunt, has it?