Marvel Studios changed the history of the Captain America mantle in Phase 5's characters have adopted the Captain America title, with Sam Wilson most recently embarking on his first theatrical adventure as the Star-Spangled-Man, but one Captain America was forgotten by the MCU.

After being gifted the Captain America shield in Avengers: Endgame and finally embracing his new role in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson took on some iconic Captain America's history in Brave New World, which legitimized one of the franchise's most important new characters.

Isaiah Bradley Was Called Captain America Several Times In Brave New World

Carl Lumbly Returned As Isaiah Bradley In Captain America: Brave New World

Carl Lumbly made his MCU debut in 2021's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as Isaiah Bradley, a secret super-soldier from the MCU's past. After Steve Rogers put himself on ice, the United States military made attempts to recreate Rogers' transformation, giving an experimental super-soldier serum to African-American test subjects during the Cold War. Bradley's transformation was successful, but the government had him falsely imprisoned, fearing the repercussions of a Black super-soldier. His death was faked and he was freed in the '80s, but The Falcon and the Winter Soldier brought him back into the world.

Sam Wilson had a monument dedicated to Isaiah Bradley installed in the Smithsonian's Captain America exhibit in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Captain America: Brave New World capitalized on this even further. Isaiah Bradley was referred to as Captain America and "Cap" many times in Brave New World, which marks a fantastic development in the timeline of the Captain America mantle in the MCU. It was brilliant to see Isaiah Bradley officially being recognized as Captain America, even though his storyline was heated and emotionally raw in Brave New World.

I’m Happy Marvel Is Finally Embracing Isaiah Bradley’s Captain America After The Falcon & The Winter Soldier

Isaiah Bradley's History Is Incredibly Emotional & Heartbreaking

The "Forgotten Cap" has a heartbreaking history in the MCU, so it's amazing to see Isaiah Bradley finally get the recognition he deserves. Carl Lumbly's performance as Bradley, both in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and in Captain America: Brave New World, is remarkable and unmatched, delivering some of the best moments in the MCU's entire history. This is a testament to the character's tragic backstory, which saw him experimented on, falsely imprisoned and shunned by the United States government for decades.

While it's great to see Isaiah Bradley get completely legitimized as a former Captain America in the MCU, this significantly changes the timeline of the mantle from World War II to the present day. Isaiah Bradley has now become Steve Rogers' official successor, and predecessor, as he acted as Captain America to take on - and nearly defeat - the Winter Soldier, and save his captured fellow super-soldiers in a POW camp that the United States military intended to destroy. It would be fantastic to see this history explored more in the MCU.

Carl Lumbly s 4 Other MCU Actors As Captain America

Captain America Has A Long History In The MCU

Carl Lumbly is the latest MCU actor to be confirmed as an official Captain America mantle-holder, following four previous incarnations of the Star-Spangled-Man. Originally and most prominently, Chris Evans' Steve Rogers was the primary Captain America in the MCU, and despite his wishes, he was succeeded by Wyatt Russell's John Walker in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Walker is not the US Agent, who'll be returning as a twisted super-soldier in May's Thunderbolts* movie, leaving the door open for a new Captain America to emerge.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ended with Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson finally assuming the Captain America title, which was solidified in Captain America: Brave New World. Mackie debuted as the Falcon in 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and had a lengthy career as the winged hero before becoming Captain America. While he doesn't have the super-soldier serum, Sam Wilson's vibranium suit and tactical mind make him a brilliant Captain America. Josh Keaton has also voiced the Star-Spangled-Man in Marvel Studios' recent animated projects, including What If...? and X-Men '97​​​​​​​.

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