The film will take us on a journey with Sam Wilson, now stepping into the shoes of Captain America. Sam will face new challenges, such as the rise of the Serpent Society and the return of the villainous Leader.
In Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passed the shield to Sam Wilson. (Photo Credits: Instagram)
As Captain America: Brave New World edges closer to its release, fans are finally on the brink of seeing an answer to one of the most hotly debated topics in MCU history: Who should wield the shield after Steve Rogers? The film will take us on a journey with Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie), now stepping into the shoes of Captain America. Sam will face new challenges, such as the rise of the Serpent Society, the return of the villainous Leader and even the transformation of the US President into the monstrous Red Hulk. But beyond the epic action, Brave New World promises to address some of the most persistent issues in the Marvel universe, issues that have frustrated fans for years. Among the most important is the resolution of the Captain America debate: Sam Wilson vs. Bucky Barnes.
Sam’s journey to becoming Captain America is not an easy one. According to Comicbook, as he dons the iconic shield, he must deal with a world that questions his worthiness, even as he proves time and again that he has the heart and strength to rise to the occasion. The stakes are higher than ever and the world of the MCU is filled with doubters, terrorists, government officials and even civilians who aren’t convinced Sam is the hero they need. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam faced fierce resistance, but he learned to fight on, determined to do what was right despite the harsh criticism.
In Brave New World, this same determination shines through. Sam knows that, as Captain America, he will never win universal approval. Unlike Steve Rogers, who had a simpler path to heroism, Sam has to prove himself over and over again. However, it’s in the face of this constant challenge that he will demonstrate what makes him the perfect successor. Sam isn’t just fighting external villains, he’s proving that even when the world doubts him, he will stand firm, never giving up. This is precisely the kind of Captain America the world needs: someone with a deep sense of duty and an unwavering resolve, no matter how much opposition he faces. He might not be Steve Rogers, but Sam Wilson’s heart and determination make him exactly the hero the MCU needs right now, reports Comicbook.
At the close of Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers made a choice that left many fans divided: he passed the shield to Sam Wilson. While some fans felt that Bucky Barnes (played by Sebastian Stan) was the more obvious choice, Steve’s decision was deliberate and thoughtful. It wasn’t because Steve loved Bucky any less, but because he saw something in Sam that he didn’t see in Bucky. Over the years, Steve had witnessed Sam’s courage, loyalty and most importantly, his goodness. It wasn’t about strength or experience, it was about heart.
Steve himself had been chosen for his purity of heart, something Dr Abraham Erskine saw in him when he was selected to become the first super-soldier. In the same way, Sam’s qualities make him the ideal Captain America. Sure, Bucky has the experience and the skills, but he’s also been burdened with his own darkness—the lingering effects of being the Winter Soldier. Bucky, despite all his growth, still carries that weight, and Steve knew that burden would prevent him from becoming the symbol of hope that the world needed, informs Comicbook.
Sam, on the other hand, represents the purity and moral clarity that are essential for the mantle of Captain America. Steve didn’t just choose Sam because he was his friend; he chose him because Sam embodied the ideal qualities that made Steve Rogers the legend he became.
Bucky Barnes will always be a beloved character in the MCU and his journey toward redemption is far from over. But becoming Captain America isn’t the only way for Bucky to prove his worth or complete his arc. It’s likely not the best path for him. Bucky doesn’t need to wear the shield to make amends for his past. He needs to continue growing as a person, learning from his mistakes, and embracing the role of a hero in a way that’s true to his nature.
In upcoming projects like Thunderbolts, Bucky will take on a new role, fighting for justice from a position that’s less about being a symbol and more about making real change. As a member of the Thunderbolts, Bucky can help the world heal, not as the Winter Soldier, but as someone who has embraced his redemption. He doesn’t need to be Captain America to prove his worth; he simply needs to continue becoming the man that Steve Rogers always believed he could be.
Fans often argue that Bucky’s arc was incomplete without the shield, but this perspective overlooks the depth of his character. Bucky’s growth isn’t confined to taking up Captain America’s mantle—it’s about finding peace with his past and stepping into a future where he can do more good than ever before. Just as Steve Rogers was never the natural first choice for Captain America, Bucky’s future doesn’t have to follow the expected path of heroism. By embracing his own redemption, Bucky can make a difference without needing to become Captain America.
In the end, both Sam and Bucky are on paths of growth and redemption, but in very different ways. Sam’s journey as Captain America is about proving that he can live up to the mantle and the ideals of the iconic hero, while Bucky’s path is about healing, making amends, and contributing to the world in his own way. The debate over who should wear the shield has dominated the conversation for years, but Brave New World, on February 14, is about to put that argument to rest.
