The Marvel films became less compelling after losing Steve Rogers.

      In Captain America: Brave New World, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, portrayed with Harrison Ford's characteristic grumpiness, tells Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), “You’re not Steve Rogers.” This is a point Sam, the one draped in the stars and stripes, acknowledges with confidence. Throughout Disney+'s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, he grappled with his qualifications to wield the shield passed to him by Rogers, the original Captain America. However, in Brave New World, Sam has fully embraced the legacy of his mentor, and from the footage of Mackie soaring through the skies on mechanical wings, it’s evident he will embrace his own style of national superheroism. He’s not trying to be Steve.

      That said, stepping into those sizeable combat boots is no small feat. The character's retirement loomed large over The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and will likely continue to resonate in Brave New World, much like other Marvel films have dealt with the losses of Tony Stark and T’Challa. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe progresses, it is increasingly marked by absence—textually, due to the significant reduction in its ranks following The Snap, and extratextually, because of the stars the franchise has lost over recent years. Among these losses, Steve Rogers’ departure may be the most profoundly felt, as he stood as the moral and dramatic core of this 17-year saga.

      Known as The First Avenger for his origins as a World War II super soldier, Captain America was not the first superhero Marvel introduced while building its interconnected film franchise. The MCU wisely centered around a vibrant, engaging lead, brought to life by Robert Downey Jr. as the witty, flamboyant playboy Tony Stark in Iron Man. It wasn't until three years later, however, that they introduced Captain America, a character who embodies the essence of timeless heroism. In terms of nobility, if not power, Captain America stands as Marvel's equivalent to Superman: a paragon of inherent goodness, fitting the traditional superhero model with his classical virtues and courage.

      But how does one make a character embodying square-jawed righteousness compelling? Nobility alone isn't inherently thrilling. Fortunately, Marvel struck gold with Chris Evans. Having previously portrayed The Human Torch in Fox's Fantastic Four films of the 2000s (a role he humorously revisited in Deadpool & Wolverine), he had the right look for Steve Rogers, but he also infused the character with a charming lightness. Evans portrayed Rogers as an everyman from Brooklyn destined for greatness due to his empathy and genuine conviction, turning a mere symbol of patriotic might into a fully fleshed character.

      Downey’s quick-witted humor may have propelled the MCU’s initial successes, but Evans arguably faced a tougher challenge. His portrayal of Steve Rogers is layered and complex, perhaps more so than the blockbuster franchise necessitated. Balancing comedy and tragedy, Evans conveys the experience of a man adrift in time, making Captain America humorous without reducing him to a mere punchline or outdated relic of national values. He preserves the earnest spirit of Steve Rogers, characterized by his wholesome, unwavering integrity, while imbuing it with heartfelt sincerity.

      Captain America stands out as a fish out of water in various ways. The films mined considerable comedic and dramatic potential from his outdated presence in a world and era that are foreign to him. Simultaneously, his character distinguishes himself from the numerous quip-laden personalities within the broader Avengers family. In a universe populated by sarcastic figures, the earnestness of Captain America becomes refreshingly unique, embodying a countercultural cool. In a landscape filled with cynicism, being sincere is indeed hip. By eschewing a parody-like portrayal of Steve, Evans rescued him from becoming a trivial figure.

      One reason the Captain America films often appear superior to other Marvel offerings is their engagement with genuine ideological stakes. They delve into what it means to embody the American spirit. The first film examined Steve's discomfort with being turned into a propaganda icon, while The Winter Soldier confronted his struggles against the values of a country he hardly recognizes—a state defined by surveillance and internal corruption. Civil War found him taking a moral stand that, although troubling, reflects a complexity in his character.

      The ongoing rivalry between Steve and Tony Stark—representatives of opposing ideals in the Avengers—provided the MCU with its closest semblance of central drama. The verbal confrontation in the first Avengers film exemplifies this dynamic, creating authentic tension amidst the franchise's more comedic moments. A notable shortcoming of Avengers: Endgame was its inability to sufficiently resolve this crucial relationship, despite dedicating significant time to it.

      Captain America served as the backbone of the Marvel narrative. His values were put to the test in Avengers: Infinity War, where, arguably, the Avengers faltered by adhering to Steve's lead and refusing to sacrifice lives for the greater good. The crowning moment of the franchise—and perhaps 21st-century cinema