Chris Evans’ Captain America has an unforgettable arc in the MCU. From humble beginnings as a small but brave soldier, determined to enlist in World War II. Once injected with Super Soldier Serum, Steve Rogers becomes the first Avenger. After watching him become a great hero and save the universe alongside his team, Steve Rogers took down his shield and had a happy ending after a lifetime of service. Coming soon, Cap’s legacy not only continues with his character’s journey, but also through Anthony Mackie’s new Captain America, Sam Wilson, who will officially assume the title in Marvel Phase’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEW WORLD ORDER. 5.
Among the upcoming Marvel movies recently announced during San Diego Comic-Con is CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEW WORLD ORDER – which will arrive in AMC theaters on May 3, 2024 – and starring Anthony Mackie as our new cap. As we anticipate the fourth Cap movie, to be directed by THE CLOVERFIELD PARADOX’s Julius Onah, let’s step behind the shield of Sam Wilson’s evolution into his new superhero title.
To your left
Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson first appeared in the MCU in 2014’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, meeting Steve Rogers when they were both out for a morning run in Washington D.C. Sam and Steve immediately hit it off , after Sam noticed Steve’s ability to seriously outrun him, saying “to your left” as he continually passed him, sparking his own competitive spirit. During their first conversation, Sam recommended Steve catch up on Marvin Gaye’s Trouble Man soundtrack and they bonded over their war service experience.
When Sam Wilson meets Steve Rogers, he has just returned from two tours in Afghanistan with the US Air Force. While on his last mission, he sadly lost his wingman Riley after his EXO-7 Falcon was hit by an RPG and Wilson was powerless to save him. Feeling disheartened by the loss, Wilson moved to DC where he decided to help veterans recover from post-traumatic stress disorder from the battle, including Cap. Steve soon finds out when he attends one of his meetings, and then they cross paths again when Steve and Natasha team up for WINTER SOLDIER’s big mission. Sam Wilson joins them as EXO-7 Falcon wings for the finale, officially becoming the new hero: Falcon.
Falcon, the avenger
After Cap and Falcon became brothers in battle in THE WINTER SOLDIER, it wasn’t long before Sam Wilson was recruited to become an Avenger in 2015’s AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. the first time as a team member until 2016 CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. After his first MCU appearance in THE WINTER SOLDIER, Falcon has an eagle eye on Sebastian Stan’s hunt for Bucky Barnes. This comes to a head in CIVIL WAR when Barnes is used by the film’s villain, Helmut Zemo, who finds a way to control Barnes for his own bidding.
During CIVIL WAR, Sam Wilson remains alongside Steve Rogers in the Sokovia Accords against Iron Man, as the Avengers are split into two teams. Team Cap fights Team Iron Man and in a memorable MCU moment, Falcon and The Winter Soldier take on a newly recruited Spider-Man, making it the first fight for Tom Holland’s Spidey, where he brings the pair online.
Falcon really takes over in 2018’s AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, where he helps the team try to stop Thanos’ dark plan to destroy half the universe’s population by traveling to Wakanda in an attempt to take down safely Vision’s Mind Stone before the villain can access it. In Wakanda, a massive battle with Thanos’ army ensues and Thanos’ plan is initially successful. Falcon is part of the half of the population that is reduced to dust.
pass the shield
In AVENGERS: ENDGAME, the remaining Avengers travel back in time and reverse Thanos’ death snap years after their defeat, bringing Falcon back from the dead in the most iconic moment in MCU history so far. Shortly after everyone has returned to life, Sam Wilson sends a “on your left” radio message to Cap, signaling everyone’s return. Then Captain America says “Avengers Assemble!” as a massive army arrives and finally defeats Thanos.
After Captain America leads the Avengers in the exhaustive battle, Steve Rogers takes each Infinity Stone back in time and is given the opportunity to go back and not be lost in time again with his one true love, Peggy Carter. Steve returns having aged decades, with a wedding ring on his finger and his superhero shield to pass on. Steve gives the shield to Sam Wilson, dubbing him the new Captain America in the MCU.
In 2024’s CAPTAIN AMERICA: NEW WORLD ORDER, we’ll see his new version of the hero fly. While details about the upcoming film are slim, “New World Order” is an organization founded by Red Skull, Steve’s first major villain in FIRST AVENGER, in the comics. Sam Wilson has certainly earned the title of Captain America and we can’t wait to see this new era as the shield’s legacy continues with a new wielder.
