With the release of the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier on April 23, the world was introduced to the new Captain America. After Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), the former Captain America, completed his task of returning the infinity stones, he returned to Sam Wilson, The Falcon (Anthony Mackie), one more time. He wanted Wilson to have his patented shield. Subsequent to long consideration in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson ultimately decided to become the new Captain America. However, some Marvel fans were not happy with the change. 

After eleven years of being in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Steve Rogers’ Captain America has become a fan favorite. The “First Avenger” is loved for his ability to lead, his honesty, and his nobility. Since Rogers’ first movie, he has shown his determination to protect the world. Rogers’ prominent legacy and heroism makes it difficult for fans to imagine another character as Captain America. However, the Falcon has been alongside him since his second film Captain America: Winter Soldier. If Rogers and Wilson have spent so much time together, they must have similar qualities and characteristics. Wilson has most likely treated Rogers as a mentor and has picked up things from him throughout their time together. 

Captain America has not only changed identities in Marvel movies, but also in Marvel comics. In fact, in the comics, the title of Captain America has been held by around twenty different characters. The different versions of Captain America in Marvel comics can be attributed to the writers’ creative liberty. What some fans need to realize is that the MCU screenwriters possess the same creative liberties. Marvel doesn’t need to follow many rules on the specifics of their films, especially when it comes to who stars in the films. In addition, this change increases the diversity of Marvel’s core superheroes, which is important due to existing misrepresentations in the MCU.

In numerous movies, Marvel has whitewashed characters that are represented as people of color in the comics, with some examples being The Mandarin in Iron Man 3 and the Maximoff twins in various films. Fans that voice their opinion against Sam Wilson’s Captain America might not acknowledge these instances of whitewashing. The argument that Captain America shouldn’t be black is flawed, one reason why being that white characters have never been underrepresented in superhero roles. 

In all, everyone needs to respect that Marvel is a company and the decisions they make are not up to the fans. Marvel reserves the right to create their own stories regardless of backlash from fans, including changing which character holds a superhero title. The Captain America franchise, now starring Sam Wilson, will continue with the release of Captain America: New World Order on May 3, 2024.