Sam Wilson has waited a long time for his big Avengers moment, but a new report suggests Avengers: Doomsday may not hand him the spotlight fans were hoping for. During a recent Q&A session with fans, Alex Perez of The Cosmic Circus shared a few scoops about Anthony Mackie‘s role in the film.
The discussion landed on Sam Wilson when a fan asked what was filmed during the recent Doomsday reshoots, which reportedly leaned heavily on the character. Perez replied, “It was an action sequence,” adding that it involved a character who had suddenly resurfaced in the rumor mill over the past few days.
He did not reveal who Sam might be squaring off against. The follow-up question is the one that has fans worried. The same fan pointed out that Captain America: Brave New World gave Sam a major upgrade, including a full vibranium suit, wings that absorb kinetic energy, and a new helmet.
They asked whether those additions would be sidelined in Doomsday to make room for other heroes. Perez seemed to agree with that concern, saying:
They’re not going to be things that will be focused on in the movie, I’m afraid.
For fans who have defended Mackie’s Captain America for years, that is a tough pill to swallow heading into Marvel’s biggest crossover yet.
Anthony Mackie’s Cap Divided Fans Before Avengers: Doomsday
When Sam Wilson was given the Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame, many fans weren’t happy with Anthony Mackie’s new role. While the merits of Mackie’s projects, like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World, continue to be debated, there has been a relentless hatred towards Sam taking on Cap’s mantle.
The Russo brothers have said they discussed the choice at length and landed on Sam because he and Steve shared a military background and a real bond (via SiriusXM). Plenty of fans disagreed, and many argued the mantle should have gone to Bucky Barnes instead.
Some of those complaints were fair. Sam simply had not received the same solo buildup that Steve enjoyed across several films. Others were far uglier. The switch from a white World War II veteran to a Black soldier triggered a wave of racist backlash, and Mackie was trolled relentlessly through his recent Marvel projects.
Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley faced similar hostility from fans who claimed the character diluted Steve’s legacy. Marvel did not help matters. The Disney+ series spent so much time on Sam’s inner conflict that it never fully set him up as Captain America, and his solo film was weighed down by a shaky script.
Mackie also made a misstep during his publicity tour for the film. Speaking to a journalist in Italy, he shared that Captain America should stand for honor and dignity rather than represent America itself. He later clarified that he is a proud American.
Chris Evans’ Return Raises Concerns About Sam Wilson
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday | Credits: Marvel Studios
When Marvel revealed Chris Evans‘ return to Avengers: Doomsday after his exit in Endgame, fans went wild with excitement. However, this excitement came with an obvious side effect. If the original Cap is back, what happens to the man currently carrying the shield?
For a lot of viewers, the fear is simple. Sam has never had a clean run, and putting him next to the most beloved hero of the Infinity Saga could make his version look small by comparison.
There have been encouraging signs too. Leaked Funko Pops showed Evans holding Mjolnir while Mackie carried the shield, hinting that the two heroes will occupy separate lanes rather than compete for the same one. Even so, Perez’s latest comments suggest Sam’s toolkit will stay in the background, which is exactly what worried fans predicted earlier.
Do you think Anthony Mackie’s Cap will be overshadowed in Doomsday? Let us know in the comments below!
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