Summary
New set photos from the production of Marvel Studios’Captain America: Brave New Worldhave made me much more excited about Sam Wilson’s upcoming theatricalMCUdebut as Captain America. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson finally embraced his new role as Captain America in 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and was quickly confirmed to be making the move to the big screen in 2025’sCaptain America: Brave New World. After a series of delays, script adjustments, and controversy, I’m relieved that new updates concerning the newCaptain Americasequel spell good news.
It was slightly disappointing to see thatSam Wilson had originally replaced his white-and-blue Captain America costume fromThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierin the initialfirst-look images forCaptain America: Brave New World. Sam’s new costume was standard blue, which is perhaps more typical for the Captain America mantle but not for the character himself. My concerns disappeared in June, however, as newset photos fromCaptain America: Brave New World’sreshootsrevealed that Sam Wilson will once again sport his original costume, making me more excited about the upcoming Phase 5 movie.
Sam Wilson’s Original Costume Helps Differentiate Him From Steve Rogers
Thefinale ofThe Falcon and the Winter Soldieron Disney+ put Sam Wilson in his new Captain America suit for the first time, and this was brilliant to see. Keeping the wingsuit from his Falcon days, his vibranium suit offers him abilities that Steve Rogers could only dream of, which was why it came as an even bigger shock when this suit was seemingly retired forCaptain America: Brave New World.Initial first look images forCaptain America: Brave New Worldshowed Sam in standard blue costumes, which were more reminiscent of some of Steve Rogers' outfits.
In particular,Sam Wilson’s blue Captain America costumeis distinctly similar to Steve Rogers' stealth suit that he used duringCaptain America: The Winter Soldier. While this hinted at some ofThe Winter Soldier’spolitical and societal themes being repeated inBrave New World, I was really disappointed to bid farewell to the white-and-blue costume. It’s great to know that Sam Wilson’s original Captain America suit will be making a return, particularly since this is his iconic appearance from Marvel Comics andestablishes him as a unique hero rather than simply a copy of Steve Rogers.
How Sam’s Captain America Suit Is Different From Steve Rogers' Suit
Sam Wilson is the new Captain America, and as such, he was given a brand new suit. Here’s how Sam’s star-spangled outfit compares to Steve Rogers'.
Sam Wilson Can’t Just Be Steve Rogers 2.0
Sam’s white-and-blue vibranium armor is wildly different from anything Steve Rogers wore in the Infinity Saga.
There are a lot of eyes onCaptain America: Brave New World, asthe Phase 5 movie marks the first time that a legacy hero will lead their own feature film in the MCU. There’s no doubt that Sam Wilson’s upcoming adventure will take inspiration fromChris Evans' adventures as Steve Rogers, even continuing throughlines from previousCaptain Americamovies, such as the mantle’s relationship to the government and Thaddeus Ross, in particular. However, despite sharing similarities, we need to see Sam Wilson set himself apart from Steve Rogers.
A great way to do this would be in the new Captain America costume, as Sam’s white-and-blue vibranium armor is wildly different from anything Steve Rogers wore in the Infinity Saga. Sam Wilson has a completely different perspective than Steve Rogers, so we need to be shown that he is using his unique worldview to separate himself from the previous Captain America. Keeping Sam Wilson in blue Captain America costumes would bear too many similarities to Steve Rogers' former hero, so bringing back his original suit forCaptain America: Brave New Worldis a fantastic choice.
Steve or Sam?
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How Else Sam Wilson Can Differ From Steve Rogers
Aside from the return of his original costume, there are many other ways in which Sam Wilson will be a very different Captain America to Steve Rogers. I thought it was especially poignant thatThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierput focus onSam’s hesitation to become Captain Americabecause of his identity as a Black man living in the United States. It was bold for Marvel Studios to shine light on the fact that a minority would struggle with the prospect of being a patriotic symbol, which is something that Steve Rogers never had to deal with.
Additionally, Sam Wilson doesn’t have any innate superhuman abilities, unlike Steve Rogers, who was enhanced by the super-soldier serum. Sam is just a regular guy in a suit of armor, and while Steve begged to become a soldier, Sam had the Captain America mantle thrust upon him, so his perspective will be vastly different. On top of all this,Captain America: Brave New Worldmay seeSam Wilson form a new Avengers team, but whether they’ll take to him as a leader just because he’s Captain America is another question that I’m interested to see answered.
