Marvel bringing Chris Evans back as Steve Rogers in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ should be a no-brainer. Captain America is among the most popular characters of the MCU, and the send-off of Evans in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is one of the most emotional moments in the history of Marvel. Yet, it left doors for his return open.
Now, recent remarks by the Russo Brothers indicate that Marvel is still grappling with a challenge it has not yet overcome since 2019: letting go. The Russos have made it clear that Steve Rogers is not only necessary for ‘Doomsday’, but to the bigger narrative of the MCU, which is both explicable and concerning.
Steve Rogers Is Back Along With MCU’s Identity Crisis
The Russo Brothers say that they cannot imagine telling a story such as ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ without Steve Rogers. That is logical at the individual level. The Winter Soldier and Civil War were the starting point of their MCU journey, and Steve Rogers was their backbone all the time. However, it is that emotional attachment that is the problem. ‘Endgame’ promised an end and a transition.
Related: Mark Ruffalo Explains Why Hulk’s Next Big Moment Isn’t ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
Tony Stark died. Steve retired. The MCU informed us, literally, that a new generation was about to emerge. However, years later, Marvel continues to heavily rely on the same icons to base its largest stories.
Although ‘Doomsday’ may provide a clever explanation (multiverse variants, anchor beings, or time displacement), the very fact of relying on it sends a message: Marvel does not yet have much confidence in its newer heroes. And that’s a problem.
Nostalgia Can’t Replace Momentum Forever
Nostalgia has been the engine behind the Multiverse Saga, and it worked very well at the beginning. ‘No Way Home’ was electric. The appearance of Hugh Jackman in ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’ was deserved.
Even Patrick Stewart’s cameo as Professor X had a real emotional impact. However, nostalgia isn’t infinite. Any minute of re-centering Steve Rogers is a minute that could be spent making Sam Wilson a stronger Captain America or giving Shang-Chi a sequel.
In case you missed it: Steve Rogers’ Happy Ending In ‘Endgame’ Could Have Triggered ‘Doomsday’
These characters are not supposed to be optional. Marvel appears to be in a very awkward position, neither ready to completely leave, but willing to act as it has. The idea of bringing back Steve Rogers is exciting in the short run. However, it will undermine the same legacy that ‘Endgame’ had worked so hard to build.
The reappearance of Steve Rogers can make ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ bigger, safer, and more emotionally familiar. However, as long as Marvel continues to look backwards to go forward, the future of the MCU will shrink, not grow, with each nostalgic victory lap.
You might like to read: ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Could Finally Pay Off Thor’s Most Teased Rivalry
