Marvel Sparks Online Backlash & Racism Claims After Bringing Back Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers

Marvel is facing strong backlash after confirming that Chris Evans will return as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday. The reaction started almost immediately after the new trailer played in theaters this week alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash.

The trailer confirms earlier leaks and shows that Marvel plans to bring Steve Rogers back, even though the character appeared to have a clear ending in Avengers: Endgame.

The decision has upset many fans online, who say the move weakens the story Marvel already told.

In Endgame, Steve Rogers passed his shield to Sam Wilson, marking Sam as the new Captain America. For many viewers, that moment was meant to close Steve’s chapter and start a new one for Sam. Fans now say that bringing Steve back takes that moment away.

Social media quickly filled with angry and disappointed reactions. Many fans said Marvel is ignoring Sam Wilson and actor Anthony Mackie in favor of bringing back a familiar face. Some posts were blunt and emotional.

“do i love steve rogers? yes
but the absolute disrespect to sam wilson/anthony mackie because they can’t let a white man go come on bro”

Another fan wrote, “Man, I’m so f**** done with MCU, they disrespect my Fantastic Four family, they disrespect Sam Wilson, they disrespect everyone.” Others said the return makes Sam’s journey feel pointless, with one comment reading, “It feels like Marvel is belittling Sam Wilson’s efforts to prove himself worthy of the shield Steve passed on to him.” Another post added, “the mcu just keeps on disrespecting sam wilson and i am TIREDDD.”

The backlash also ties into the mixed response to Anthony Mackie’s solo film as Captain America. Captain America: Brave New World underperformed at the box office, earning about $415 million worldwide.

According to Deadline Hollywood, the movie needed around $425 million to break even due to its large budget and marketing costs. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige later suggested that the absence of Chris Evans may have played a role in the weaker turnout.

Critics were split on the film. Reviews were mixed to negative overall, though Mackie’s performance received praise. Despite the film’s struggles, Mackie has said he wants to continue playing Sam Wilson for many years. In an interview in January, he said he hoped to stay in the role for about a decade and looked forward to appearing in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

For many fans, that is what makes Marvel’s decision harder to accept. They feel Sam Wilson was never fully given the chance to stand on his own before Marvel returned to Steve Rogers. While Marvel has not yet explained how Steve fits into the new story, the reaction online shows that a large part of the audience is not happy with the choice.

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