Warning: Contains SPOILERS for the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday SpecialDespite the conclusion of the character's arc in Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special has confirmed that his shadow still looms large over the MCU.
Although Rogers himself doesn't actually appear in the Hawkeye opened with a deliberately over-the-top performance of Rogers: The Musical. On the surface, these references seem like harmless callbacks to a bygone MCU era. However, jokes aside, the constant visual reminders of Rogers' legacy arguably prevent the franchise from moving forward and the character from getting the closure he deserves.
Why Marvel Won't Let Steve Rogers Die
Civil War, Rogers has been instrumental in shaping the MCU world as viewers know it today.
It is perhaps because of this pivotal role that the MCU is struggling to leave Steve Rogers behind. The interconnected nature of the franchise means that it's impossible to tell stories that are completely independent from what's come before. As such, Steve Rogers' huge influence over past events is almost impossible to escape. Just as with Tony Stark's Iron Man, the character's enduring popularity and far-reaching impact mean that cutting all ties and leaving him in the past is simply impossible. As Phase 4 moves into Phase 5, the immediate post-Endgame MCU has had to handle the huge hole left by a number of legacy characters, making it unsurprising that the references continue.
Captain America 4 Means Marvel Needs To Let Go Of Steve Rogers
Although Black Panther: Wakanda Forever successfully avoided, and feel like a misplaced pining for the past instead of something new and exciting.
Will Steve Rogers Ever Return To The MCU?
While What If...? has already introduced several new Steve Rogers stories, from his collaboration with Captain Carter to a Zombie Captain America causing carnage, so there is plenty of precedent for bringing Rogers back away from the main MCU timeline. An additional consideration is the multiversal nature of the MCU's ongoing story. With multiple character variants scattered across the multiverse, there's every possibility of a future Chris Evans cameo in some capacity, whether as a fleeting glimpse or as a crucial cog in the fight against Kang.
However, in order for the main MCU Captain America to thrive, it's imperative that the focus remains on Sam Wilson rather than Rogers. Despite the mixed reception of many Phase 4 releases, recent Marvel projects have largely been successful in introducing the next generation of heroes. In order to keep the franchise moving forwards, it's important that these fresh faces supersede the old. As such, even though Steve Rogers could technically appear, it shouldn't be as anything other than a ing presence.
