The Journey to Captain America: Brave New World
It is almost time for one of the best movies of the year, Captain America: Brave New World! We’ve been following Sam, inadvertently, since he showed up in Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014. Anthony Mackie has delivered several spectacular performances as Sam Wilson for all of these years, and now he’s getting the recognition he rightfully deserves. It is truly amazing to see how this has gone for him, and I enjoy how he has brought this character straight out of the comics.
Marvel’s Adaptation of Sam Wilson
It is no secret that Marvel loves to do different things with their characters. When it comes to Sam and even Steve Rogers, they have been a combination of their comic versions from Earth-616 and Earth-1610. When it comes to Sam, however, there seems to be more added pressure, and it is ever-present in Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which is simply a reflection of what he went through in the comics. The differences between MCU Sam Wilson and comic book Sam Wilson aren’t necessarily subtle, but if you’re not really a reader, it wouldn’t really occur to you how major those differences are.
How the MCU Tailors Characters to Their Actors
But it also speaks to how Marvel is able to make the character fit the actor that they’ve chosen for it. The changes they made, like making Red Wing a robotic sidekick vs an actual bird, making Sam part of the military like his 1610 counterpart, and changing his family background as well. Now when it comes to the villains he’s faced, he has been on the Avengers’ level for quite some time, and during his show with Bucky, he faced the street-level villains. It is a literal reflection of what happened in the comic books, where Sam identified more with being home and helping the people in his neighborhood because he was more grounded. Anthony Mackie has brought that to this MCU character, and it has been amazing.
The Villains Sam Wilson Will Face
The villains he will be facing are going to be a huge test. He faced the Serpent Society in the comic books, and now that organization is being brought to the big screen via Sidewinder (the founder), Diamondback, and Copperhead. With how well they were organized then, it will be interesting to see how they interact here. We know his interactions with Red Hulk are going to be absolutely wild and thrilling, so there is no surprise there! In the grand scheme of things, Sam is facing a more dangerous series of threats on his first go-around than Steve Rogers did. Modern technology and science are dictating how this is going to go. On top of that, he has to deal with how the world is going to perceive him as the new Captain America.
The Weight of the Captain America Mantle
It was hard on him mentally and emotionally in the comic books, and it took a lot for him to make himself take that mantle and keep it. The mantle is heavy on the user—Steve has quit being Captain America so many times because, at the end of the day, it really does take its toll. It will be so interesting to see how this goes for Sam. Anthony has done a great job of making the character really relate to him and his experience, and he has had the backing of Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Harrison Ford, Kevin Feige, and so many others.
More Than Just a Movie
This is more than just a movie. It is about how we are able to take what is given to us and make it our own. It is about throwing out those negative thoughts and molding ourselves into what we know we can be. Captain America is more than a mantle but a symbol, and Sam Wilson has done an amazing job ensuring that anyone who looks at him for hope and security will be able to find it in him as the one carrying that shield. Steve chose the right person, and we are about to see how that is going to play out. Guaranteed, it is going to go exactly how he imagined it.
Continue the Legacy
Want to dive deeper into Sam Wilson’s journey from Falcon to Captain America? Check out more about his evolution here: Sam Wilson’s Legacy: Evolution from Falcon to Captain America.
Get the lowdown on the NEW Captain America, Sam Wilson! We’re comparing comic book vs MCU Sam, plus a preview of Sidewinder and the Serpent Society for Captain America: Brave New World. Watch now! Watch here!
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