Warning! This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New WorldThe release ofCaptain America: Brave New Worldhas reignited questions over Steve Rogers' whereabouts in theMCU. Steve was last seen inAvengers: Endgame, returning to the present day after a journey through time and having lived a long life with Peggy Carter. It was here that Steve bequeathed his shield and mantle to Sam Wilson, one of Steve’s closest friends and compatriots. While his decision (which derives from comic book precedent) was bound to raise some eyebrows, it was a sign ofSteve’s confidence in Samand his embodiment of traits necessary to hold the mantle.
The shield has since reappeared inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where Sam struggles to reconcile with Steve’s decision, allowing it to fall into the wrong hands with John Walker before accepting the responsibility. Despitethe events ofThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierhinging on Cap’s legacy, Steve Rogers is only featured in pictures and mentions. The question of Steve Rogers' whereabouts now seems even more pertinent withthe release ofCaptain America: Brave New World, as the movie’s title is an unavoidable reminder of the previous mantle-holder.
Steve Rogers Is Still Retired In Captain America: Brave New World
Nothing In Captain America: Brave New World Suggests Otherwise
Steve Rogers does not appear inCaptain America: Brave New World. In fact, he isn’t so much as mentioned by Sam Wilson, who carries out his duties as the new Captain America with no oversight or advice whatsoever from his illustrious predecessor. This assures us that Steve Rogers remains in retirement and that threats to the nation, no matter how physically threatening, are unlikely to draw him out in any capacity. This is in keeping withwhat old Steve Rogers has doneso far, as he seemingly refused to intervene throughout living until old age in the sacred timeline.
Steve Rogers' original shield was destroyed in the Battle of Earth, suggesting that he acquired another one during his journey through time.
This decision is likely intended to ensure that the focus does not deviate from the new Captain America, Sam Wilson. While Sam has proven to be a worthy successor to Steve, reintroducing Rogers in Sam’s debut solo movie would only hinder the effort to establish Sam’s new tenure as Cap. It is also hard to overlook, as Deadpool noted inDeadpool & Wolverine, how a Chris Evans cameo would affect the movie’s budget, while Evans has repeatedly assured MCU fans that he is retired from the franchise.
Has Steve Rogers Died In The MCU?
Nobody Has Mentioned Steve Rogers Dying
Given Steve was last seen as a very old man bequeathing inexorable aspects of his identity to Sam Wilson, his fate six years after the release ofAvengers: Endgamemay be a cause for concern. After all, no mention of his predecessor throughoutSam’s biggest challengeyet suggests that Steve Rogers is truly gone and left this mortal coil in addition to the MCU. Nevertheless, as far as anyone is aware,Steve Rogers still lives and is instead living out his retirement somewhere off-screen. Rumors about him living on the moon, however, remain unconfirmed.
Captain America’s Complete MCU Timeline Explained
Captain America has been a staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Phase 1, and here is his entire timeline from the beginning to the present.
It may be frustrating to some to learn that Steve Rogers still lives yet refuses to intervene in cataclysmic events in any capacity. He was, after all, as much a leader and strategist as a hand-to-hand master, and his advanced age shouldn’t preclude him from aiding outside the action. Still, his absence inCaptain America: Brave New Worldmay yet be explained ina future MCU installmentlikeAvengers: Doomsday, where he was once rumored to be returning. It stands to reason that somebody would mention Steve’s death, sountil then it’s reasonable to assume he lives.
