Anthony Mackie explains Sam Wilson’s leadership as Captain America in Captain America: Brave New World and his potential as the Avengers’ leader in future MCU projects. Sam Wilson accepted the Captain America mantle directly from Steve Rogers in Avengers: Endgame, and he recovered it in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier after giving it up temporarily. Sam Wilson’s long MCU journey led to his starring role in Captain America: Brave New World, where he’ll prove his skills to the whole world.

During ScreenRant‘s interview with Captain America star Anthony Mackie at the Captain America: Brave New World press junket, Mackie was asked whether Sam Wilson wants to be an Avenger more than he wants to be Captain America or vice versa. Mackie responds that Sam Wilson excels at fulfilling Captain America’s duties because he “has the fortitude and the wherewithal to be a pretty successful standalone superhero”. At the same time, Mackie believes Sam Wilson would succeed as an Avenger “because he’s a leader of men.” Read Mackie’s full response below:

Well, I think there’s a very fine line between being Captain America and being an Avenger. I think he would succeed as an Avenger because he’s a leader of men. He has the military background. He was a counselor, so he has the mental aptitude to be able to talk to people and talk them on the ledge or talk them off the ledge, and that’s one of his greatest superpowers is his empathy and his compassion. So I think he would be amazing with a group, but I think as an individual, just simply as Captain America, he still has the fortitude and the wherewithal to be a pretty successful standalone superhero.

What Anthony Mackie’s Captain America Comments Mean For Sam Wilson

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson Was Destined To Become Captain America From The Start

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson had to fight to earn his Captain America title after giving it up at the beginning of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but Steve Rogers always knew Sam was the right choice for the job. Sam Wilson’s first appearance in Captain America: The Winter Soldier had him reveal his background to Steve Rogers. As soon as they met, Sam opened his heart and told Steve he had worked as a counselor for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving as a pararescue airman. Sam Wilson possesses an innate sense of leadership that suits Captain America’s values.

Sam Wilson also participated in multiple Avengers missions that allowed him to learn the ins and outs of Captain America’s world-saving duties. Sam fought Ultron, protected the Avengers’ HQ, supported Captain America during the Avengers’ Sokovia Accords conflict, stayed by Steve Rogers’ side in his Secret Avengers team, and was the first Avenger to arrive to help Steve Rogers in the Battle of Earth. While Sam Wilson still hasn’t assembled an Avengers team of his own, he’s more than prepared to lead one when the time comes.

Our Take On Anthony Mackie’s Captain America Comments

Sam Wilson’s Avengers Opportunities Will Arrive Sooner Rather Than Later

Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will face his biggest mission so far when he fights Captain America: Brave New World‘s multiple villains, and his opportunity to lead the Avengers will come not long after. Avengers: Doomsday will be released in 2026, only one year after Captain America: Brave New World, and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes still haven’t assembled. It will probably be Captain America’s duty to bring a new team of Avengers together in order to fight Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. Then, Captain America will have to lead the Avengers into battle once again in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.