Although set in an entirely different corner of the MCU, the upcoming Doctor Strange 2 has the perfect pairing for the new Captain America.
Sam Wilson rose to prominence with The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, claiming the mantle of Captain America and positioning himself as potentially one of the central figures in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But he does need a partner, with Bucky Barnes seemingly stepping down after the Season 1 finale. Luckily, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may present an ideal candidate. Captain Carter, the variant hero of What if…?is confirmed to appear in the film, and if she’s here to stay, she provides the perfect combination of elements to join the new Captain America.
Captain Carter appeared in What if…? Season 1, Episode 1 “What If…Captain Carter Was the First Avenger?” – taking the place of Steve Rogers in the original experience and gaining all the associated powers from the Super Soldier Serum. She served ably in her place in her universe, thwarting the plans of Hydra and the Red Skull during the war before emerging in the modern age. Carter also became the de facto leader of the Guardians of the Multiverse in Season 1, Episode 9, “What If…The Watcher Has Broken His Oath?” indicating that she is well aware of the multiverse and its potential dangers.
Rumors claimed that the hero would appear in The multiverse of madness, and with Hayley Atwell being one of the MCU’s surprising mainstays, the prospect seemed both likely and enticing. Her appearance was confirmed by recently released footage showing her – with her Union Jack version of Captain America’s shield – battling a variant of Wanda somewhere in the film’s runtime. And given her benevolent nature and dedication to protecting the multiverse, she could play a bigger role than has yet been revealed.
A long-term crossover is on the table, and the arrival of Captain Carter could add another fascinating figure to another collection of heroes for Phase Four. And if that comes to fruition, Captain America is a natural match for her. Sam Wilson’s solo project would likely include several ties to the Prime Carter, including his niece Sharon going rogue. She also has a bond with Steve Rogers, a very different bond than Bucky’s that can create an intriguing relationship with Sam. A partnership between them could even explore that shared connection without rehashing Bucky and Sam’s dynamic in the first season.
But what makes this even more appealing is that Sam works well as a duo. Initially, it was defined by its de facto partnership with Rogers in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and also did well in his one-on-one with Scott Lang and Peter Parker in subsequent films. Bucky is just the latest in a long line of similar characters, and while the new Captain America clearly doesn’t need any help, his character still works a bit better with someone to play with. Captain Carter would be a peer and a friend in a way that Bucky was not and a second shield for all the action sequences. It’s hard to imagine a better figure for such a position.
To see what Captain Carter brings to the MCU, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters on May 6.
Read more
About the Author
