An effort seems to be underway at Marvel to bring back Steve Rogers as Captain America. But the reason probably will make some people unhappy.
This article, though sourced via three different contacts with knowledge of the entertainment industry, is labeled “rumor”. It is not intended to be delivered or received as verified cat. Also, while this alleged leak is decidedly political in nature, neither the author of this article nor this website are political — this article takes no political position nor is for or against any political party / movement / creed.
Did you know that The Punisher character from comic books has taken on a political iconography these days? It’s not something I have followed closely and it’s also not the focus of this article. Just know that The Punisher symbol is often used by the right side of politics to express a particular viewpoint — and that’s something the people behind the property are not pleased about.
Disney won’t use the traditional Punisher skull when they bring him into the MCU (or Deadpool universe) because of how politics has co-opted it. When that happens, a lot of folks who don’t read comics are gonna throw a fit. Here’s just a few of the ones he’s used over the years. pic.twitter.com/9iP7Hd40LO
— Bela Lugosi's meds🔥 (@GarbageGangHQ) February 21, 2022
The purpose of this article is to relay a rumor that is coming from three solid sources regarding a similar situation with a different Marvel character:
Captain America.
Several months ago, a source shared with me that Marvel was potentially looking to do a new Captain America show or movie that would see both Anthony Mackie and Chris Evans somehow sharing the Captain America mantle. The source is rock-solid but the alleged leak was politically-charged. As a general rule, I try to stay away from explicitly political stuff in what I report, because ultimately if it lives in that realm, it causes our site and myself more trouble than its often worth to publish. Still, I was told that the reason for bringing back Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, potentially, was because some at Marvel were concerned that Captain America was being used by conservatives and MAGA types as a pro-nationalist superhero icon. Reportedly, Kevin Feige was open to doing a project in which both versions of Captain America would come together somehow to repudiate the perceived negative aspects of America while still finding a cause to believe in. The leaders of the MCU reportedly dislike that they did not address the issue before Chris Evans retired from the character. They felt that having an African American version of the character bare such a burden alone was unfair.
I sat on this rumor because I could not corroborate it whatsoever. As juicy as it was, it was political, spicy and I had nothing else to go on except for a single source, albeit someone who has given me fantastic early info in the past. Later, as I saw Marvel’s future slate of projects, I was pleased I had not gone anywhere with it because there was no proof it was in the works.
Then, things began to change.
In the last week, a second source has told me an almost identical story. This time, the source was informed of the possibility or likelihood by his or her boss. Working with Marvel, this source made the rumor have a second connecting point and I feel I should go ahead and reveal this is going around in the upper levels of some corporations connected with the MCU. Essentially, Marvel wants to keep the uber-popular Captain America brand, but they want to strip it of the nationalist and conservative connotation that they feel it has.
From the second source (paraphrased to protect individualized writing style and identity):
The most impressive sign of brand loyalty is when you imprint it onto your being. Sometimes that’s tattoos, sometimes that’s the naming your child. When you wear that Captain America star-shield you are saying that you identify with Steve Roger’s journey, values and patriotism (if you’re American, if your not American he represents standing against oppression and tyranny in general). But an important note on Captain America:This info comes from my boss, an executive who circulates in spheres of influence with Marvel. There are people at Marvel who are uncomfortable with the patriotism facets of the Steve Rogers Captain America. I am not American but he says there are those in the United States who think the stars and stripes are racist or oppressive, and that there are multiple US election cycles coming up including presidential. These MCU gatekeepers fear that Captain America is being “stolen” by conservatives. My boss says “Burbank hates Captain America” – he says they totally lose it when they see people wearing Captain America star shirts on television at Trump events. Their regret is not bringing Steve Roger’s back in order to have him realize all the problems facing America. They will do it with the Falcon version of Captain America in a movie, and my boss says to watch for Chris Evans cameo playing “Old Man Cap”…Anyway, all I can tell you is that you Americans (and Canadians) love Steve Rogers and his whole arc, etc. Right now, he’s money in the bank, which keeps him on big and small screens, but from what my boss tells me they’re gonna mess him up.
And, coming now from a third source, apparently Chris Evans is keen to work on such a project as he loathes the portrayal of Captain America as an America First superhero.
According to the third source whom I spoke with earlier this week, Chris Evans has been in negotiations to return to the MCU. Allegedly, the contractual negotiations, which may or may not be complete already, have Evans returning to play Captain America in Secret Wars (semi-confirmed by GFR) as well as secondary material leading up to Secret Wars that may include a new Disney+ show. I am told that this, indeed, is where Feige intends to try to bridge the divide between right and left by having Evans’ Captain America join forces with the Anthony Mackie Captain America to identify what makes America good and what needs to be recognized as flawed. The specific target, although likely not directly specified in the story: Former President Donald J. Trump and America First policies.
Whoa boy.
So you’ve made it to the end of the article. I clearly know that I’ve stepped in it by even reporting on this. However, I’ve done my best to be neutral in my viewpoint as to whether this is good, bad, wise or unwise. I hope you can appreciate why I’ve done that, as well as not casting your own views onto what I think (which I’m purposefully not expressing). I’m just giving you what I’m being told as best as I can.
And if any of these alleged leaks are true, get ready to find out who will win in an epic showdown between CEO Bob Chapek (wants to moderate) and Kevin Fiege, who must be wanting to dive straight into modern politics.
For all the latest news and rumors that should be fun, keep reading That Park Place. As always, drop a comment down below and let us know your thoughts on all of this.