When Marvel Studios first announced ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, the excitement was evident. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, who earned his shield at the emotional close of ‘Avengers: Endgame’, was stepping into the spotlight as the new Captain America.
After his strong presence in ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’, many fans expected the transition to film to be a natural next step. However, the final result painted a very different picture. According to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, the root cause is clear: the absence of Chris Evans.
“The First Without Chris Evans”: Kevin Feige On ‘Captain America: Brave New World’s Failure
‘Captain America: Brave New World’, despite featuring high-stakes action, beloved supporting characters like The Leader, and even the inclusion of Harrison Ford as Thunderbolt Ross/Red Hulk, grossed just $415.1 million worldwide on a hefty $180 million budget. For comparison, ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ grossed $714.1 million, and ‘Civil War’ crossed the billion-dollar mark. These are stark contrasts.
Related: Harrison Ford Joining The MCU Was A “Pinch Yourself” Moment For Marvel President Kevin Feige
During a recent media roundtable, Kevin Feige didn’t mince words. As reported by Deadline, Feige stated that ‘Brave New World‘s underwhelming performance stemmed from it being “the first without Chris Evans.” This admission is striking. For a studio that has been pushing forward with a roster of legacy characters and successors to iconic roles, this marks a moment of rare vulnerability.
Feige’s comment indirectly acknowledges the towering presence Chris Evans held within the MCU. As Steve Rogers, Evans was more than just a superhero, as fans considered him perfect for the role. That kind of connection with an audience is not easily replicated. It’s not that Anthony Mackie lacks talent. His portrayal of Sam Wilson has been sincere, grounded, and full of emotional nuance.
However, stepping into the boots of an icon like Steve Rogers was always going to be an uphill battle. Even with a shield in hand, Sam Wilson’s Captain America seemed to lack the narrative cohesion that made Evans’ run so magnetic. More importantly, audiences are maybe not ready to let go of the originals, at least not yet.
‘Loki’ Creator Is Very Excited About ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
With ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ looming on the horizon, rumors of a “soft reboot” have been growing louder. The departures of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Scarlett Johansson marked the end of an era. In trying to fill those voids, Marvel may have underestimated just how much these actors and their characters meant to the fans. Interestingly, the upcoming ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ appears to be a turning point.
In case you missed it: ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ Cast Isn’t Complete, Kevin Feige Confirms More MCU Stars Will Return
Additionally, in an exclusive interview with ScreenRant, ‘Loki’ creator Michael Waldron confirmed that he is still actively involved with ‘Avengers: Doomsday’. He spoke with restrained excitement, noting, “We’re having a blast,” and revealing that he’s been going “back and forth from London,” where the movie is currently filming.
Waldron’s ongoing involvement makes sense. This is because Loki introduced many of the core elements of the MCU’s multiverse. With Tom Hiddleston’s Loki confirmed to return, the pieces are aligning for what could be a truly multiversal showdown. Doctor Doom’s introduction also signals a possible pivot to more grounded, powerful villains who can emotionally and intellectually challenge the heroes.
At the end of the day, Marvel’s current turbulence isn’t just about box office numbers; it’s about connection. Fans aren’t rejecting Sam Wilson as Captain America because he’s unworthy, but perhaps because they weren’t fully brought along for the ride. The emotional investment that was built over a decade with Steve Rogers wasn’t mirrored with Sam.
