In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America has a long legacy of heroism and reverence. That was true after his supposed death in World War II and was the case following the aftermath of Avengers: Endgame. However, another character has taken up the mantle, and the rest of the MCU has yet to notice.

Since Sam Wilson became the new Captain America, no MCU project has commented on such a big change. Sure, other post-Endgame elements took precedence, but the fact that there's a new Cap in town seems to keep slipping through the cracks. That keeps Sam in Steve's shadow while showcasing how hesitant Marvel really is to do anything with him in the role.

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The MCU's Post-Endgame Timeline Isn't Set In Stone

The events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier happen after Endgame, with Steve gone and Sam Wilson in possession of his vibranium shield. And while John Walker temporarily becomes the new Captain America, Sam Wilson proves himself worthy of replacing Steve Rogers. Unfortunately, there's been no mention of his taking on the role since then, despite constant references to Steve's "death." The Statue of Liberty now bears a shield honoring Steve, while the fallen First Avenger also has musicals devoted to his legacy. It seems like the MCU remains stuck in a place where Steve is gone, but nothing else has developed from that point.

That has the effect of making the MCU's continuity somewhat confusing, as no one really knows how far along from the events of Endgame the universe has progressed. For instance, Spider-Man: No Way Home, the most successful Phase Four film, was directly after Far From Home, which was only eight months after Endgame. The events of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier are only six months after Endgame, yet none of it is referenced whatsoever in "later" stories. Thus, the world's reaction to Sam Wilson as the new Cap is unseen, making the transition fall completely flat.

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Sam Wilson Isn't the Only New Captain America

Captain Carter in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

During this period, the MCU introduced the character of Captain Carter. This variant of Peggy Carter is the Captain America equivalent in her universe, and she's shown up in both What If...? and Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness. While she isn't a character in the main MCU Earth, her continued push by Marvel Studios only further dilutes Sam Wilson becoming Captain America. After all, when Captain Carter, an alternate universe character, is such a big deal, what makes Sam becoming the new Cap so special?

It feels as if Marvel Studios wants to somehow walk back their development of Sam as Cap, reverting Sam off-screen to his original moniker. Many might argue that his getting the shield from Cap was unearned, as they didn't have enough time or chemistry on-screen to prove that Sam was Steve's greatest confidant. Thus, forcing him to become Cap in the conclusion of his show could be seen as a mistake, or at least a decision made too early. But if that's not the case, the company needs to address his being Captain America in a major way. Showcase a news broadcast of Sam unveiling himself as the new Captain America, perhaps being interviewed by a reporter or making an Avengers recruitment video like Steve once did.

As much as Sam getting the shield might have gotten rushed, Marvel needs to hurry and see how the world at large, namely the surviving Avengers, reacts to his development. There's no planned Avengers movie yet, so there's nowhere that Sam would logically show up next. The Secret Invasion show might be his next destination, but it would be incredibly hackneyed if that's the first place people see the new Cap, especially since it should focus on other plotlines. All in all, Marvel Studios has failed its latest Sentinel of Liberty.