Chris Evans can’t save Marvel – but Anthony Mackie could

As a long-time fan who has witnessed the evolution of Marvel Cinematic Universe since its inception, I must admit that I’m finding myself torn between excitement and concern regarding the recent announcements about Chris Evans’ return and Robert Downey Jr’s casting as Doctor Doom.

Five months following Robert Downey Jr’s shocking revelation at Comic-Con about his role as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, it has now been verified that Chris Evans will also be part of the cast.

It’s no wonder that Downey Jr’s comeback could pave the way for his Avengers colleagues to return as well. Since they’re considering a new actor for Iron Man, it seems everyone is up for grabs, doesn’t it?

Nevertheless, Evans’s comeback is more intricate due to his previous act of passing on the title and suit of Captain America to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) during Avengers: Endgame. This intricate phase and the emergence of a new era for Captain America were later delved into in the Disney Plus series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel the palpable excitement over the prospect of Chris Evans reprising his role in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World, set to hit theaters in February. The specifics about his character and screen time remain undisclosed, yet this revelation only amplifies the already towering anticipation for this eagerly awaited franchise installment.

In a different scenario, Evans might seem like an elderly Rogers imparting wisdom to Sam, but thanks to a time machine and the complexities of the multiverse, Evans is not bound by that particular character archetype. Instead, he has the potential to reappear, complete with his suit, to join forces with Sam in battle once more.

In simpler terms, the current situation is puzzling for Sam as he’s now Captain America, but the Marvel Universe had been working towards making Anthony Mackie the sole Captain America in this upcoming Marvel era.

Sam found himself ideally situated to connect the Infinity and Multiverse storylines, given his established role and readiness to seamlessly take over, having been by Captain Roger’s side since Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014.

If Marvel is uncertain if Mackie will effectively handle the main role, then what happens to the lesser-known characters introduced as new heroes in Phase 5? This way, we maintain a natural and easy-to-read style while conveying the same meaning.

Following the release of Endgame in 2019, the Marvel Cinematic Universe began to focus more on the rising group of superheroes, including Kamala Khan (played by Iman Vellani) in Ms Marvel, Shang-Chi (portrayed by Simu Liu) in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) in Hawkeye, and Yelena Belova (interpreted by Florence Pugh) in Black Widow.

As a dedicated cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the unique journey some characters will embark on leading up to the epic Avengers’ Infinity War-level movie event in 2025. Unlike several other gentlemen from our lead six who had at least three solo films and two Avengers movies under their belt before Infinity War and Endgame, many of these intriguing characters will make their grand entrance on the big screen for the very first time! This promises an exciting twist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Due to the swift cosmic expansion and an influx of fresh characters (notably Disney Plus), it became quite challenging for viewers to follow the main storyline. Adding to this complexity were the feelings of superhero exhaustion that arose post-pandemic, and the individual films of existing characters that unfortunately resulted in significant box office disappointments, like Thor: Love and Thunder.

Instead, it can be rephrased as follows: A definite plan was underway: allow veteran superheroes to step down and prepare their replacements, ultimately leading to a unified cinematic universe across two Avengers films set for release in 2025 and 2026.

Rather than persist with the current direction, as box office earnings for the MCU have significantly decreased (with Deadpool’s nostalgia tour raking in $1 billion this summer), it appears Marvel is opting to reintroduce their previously sidelined Avengers characters in an effort to revive and enhance the franchise’s reputation.

Evans’ appearance in Deadpool and Wolverine, portraying his original Marvel character Johnny Storm, was hilariously enjoyable. It was short but perfectly fit the over-the-top, zany atmosphere that the Deadpool series is known for, thanks to Ryan Reynolds.

The movie known as “Doomsday” is a whole different ball game, steered by directors Anthony and Joe Russo, who were behind the last two epic Avengers films in the Infinity Saga. Given their involvement, it’s likely that this film will carry a more somber atmosphere, wrapping up a tumultuous era in Marvel’s cinematic universe.

Following the initial excitement and surprise, Downey Jr’s casting choice still seems unconventional, but it holds great potential. It’s plausible that one of the Avengers’ strongest heroes will transform into their most formidable adversary, if Downey Jr portrays a version of Iron Man as Doom, similar to his comic book counterpart.

Although Evans plays an indispensable role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America has progressed beyond this point. Steve Rogers found a fitting conclusion and character development, as the time-displaced man ultimately reunited with Peggy (portrayed by Hayley Atwell), the woman he’d long admired since the 1940s.

To ensure growth and clarity within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s essential for Marvel to either part ways with its longstanding cast or restrict them to minor roles, as clinging to the past may hinder the MCU’s progression. Their continued presence can obstruct the introduction of fresh actors within the franchise and cause audience confusion about whom to support in this expansive universe they’ve built.

If Hugh Jackman continues to play Wolverine in R-rated comedies even at age 90, it’s clear that Marvel could capture the magic and thrilling superhero atmosphere from the initial 15 years of the MCU by embracing innovation instead. Rather than clinging onto old heroes, they should put their trust in fresh talent to carry on the legacy.

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2024-12-10 23:04