MCU Theory: U.S. Agent Becomes The Avengers' Captain America (Not Sam)

After The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) – and not Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson -- could take Captain America’s spot on the Avengers roster. Sam may have become the new Captain America, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be leading the Avengers or serving on the team in any capacity. That job could go to Walker instead.

John Walker, who became the MCU’s second Captain America in Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, tried and failed to be a good successor to Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers. After getting the Super-Soldier Serum and watching Lemar Hoskins/Battlestar (Clé Bennett) die in the heat of battle, Walker lost his cool and publicly executed a defeated Flag-Smasher. As punishment for his actions, Walker lost the right to be Captain America. However, his days of being a superhero aren’t over, thanks to Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), who provided him with the new “U.S. Agent” costume and codename.

Why she thinks the world will need a “U.S. Agent” (and not a Captain America), and what exactly she has planned for him hasn’t been revealed yet, but it could be that that the comics may provide a clue as to what his future in the MCU will be. Here’s why Val may intend for Walker to join the Avengers as their Captain America replacement, and how something that could even be possible for him right now.

John Walker's First Job As US Agent In Marvel Comics Explained

The West Coast Avengers run into battle in Marvel Comics.

Similar to what happened in the MCU, the comic book version of Walker had his image ruined by the mistakes he made as Captain America. That being said, that wasn’t the end of his superhero career. Marvel Comics brought him back and rebranded him as “U.S. Agent” in the 1989 comic, Captain America #354. It was explained in the issue that, on the behalf of the federal government, a character named General Haywerth faked Walker’s death. This decision was made because even though they still had uses for him, he had hurt his reputation so much that he had lost favor with the public. So they decided that the best course of action was for Walker to “die” and come back as U.S. Agent, without anyone knowing the truth about his real identity.

It was revealed that the purpose of Walker’s return in Captain America #354 was to set up a role in Marvel’s West Coast Avengers comic. At the end of West Coast Avengers #44, U.S. Agent showed up to join the team. Their leader, Hawkeye, opposed this but wasn’t given any choice but to accept him. Apparently, U.S. Agent was appointed by the government to serve as its representative on the West Coast branch, where he could keep an eye on White Vision, whom the government feared was a liability. Since the Avengers wanted to regain their lost government clearance, it was easy for the government to shoehorn Walker into the Avengers. Hawkeye and the others just had to put up with him. Since he was an unwelcome addition to the group, Hawkeye and U.S. Agent frequently bumped heads.

How Civil War May Have Set Up U.S. Agent’s Next MCU Story

John Walker US Agent and Valentina in Falcon and Winter Soldier Finale

It’s not altogether clear that there is an Avengers team at this point, but since there are plenty of active heroes in the MCU, there could be an official Avengers team operating in the United States. If that’s true, they could have something to do with John Walker's next MCU story. Based on his history, they may not want him around, but Captain America: Civil War makes it possible for him to get a roster spot anyway. Because of the terms of the Sokovia Accords, the Avengers are no longer an independent organization. Instead, they now answer to the United Nations, and it’s unclear if that will ever change. That means that for the time being, other governments could potentially have some say over who’s on the team. They could refuse to let a particular character be a part of the team, and appoint a hero of their choice to be on the roster. Not unlike the situation with U.S. Agent and the West Coast Avengers, the team’s current members may be forced to cooperate. If they don’t accept the government-appointed Avenger, they could risk the team being dismantled for good.

Why US Agent May Join MCU's Real Avengers Team

Many are theorizing that Val’s scene with U.S. Agent in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale was setup for an MCU team that operates in morally gray areas, such as the Dark Avengers or the Thunderbolts. But, neither of these may be what Val is working toward. Rather than build an entire team of super-powered characters, Val’s goal could be to just have one superhero under her thumb. If she can arrange for Walker to join the Avengers, he could take Captain America’s old spot on the team, and possibly even serve as their leader. Sam Wilson may be the new Captain America, but there’s no guarantee that leading or even serving with the Avengers is something that’s on the horizon for him. It could actually be Walker who gets this job in the MCU’s future. This could happen in an upcoming Disney+ show, like Armor Wars or Secret Invasion. Alternatively, it could be saved for Captain America 4 or The Avengers 5.

A move to the Avengers would certainly have its benefits for Val and other powerful people. As a highly competent and experienced super-soldier, Walker does bring a lot to the table. And, his history as a good, loyal soldier makes him someone that she may believe she can count on to follow orders. Having him operate as the Avengers’ Captain America replacement would give her a way to control the team, so to speak. When things get “weird,” as Val put it, she could task Walker with keeping the Avengers out of her way. The problem is that U.S. Agent may not be the minion she expects him to be. His heroic moment in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale put John Walker on the right path, and that could be a sign that Walker would prefer to be a real Avenger, as opposed to Val’s puppet. It could be that when the times comes for him to choose where his allegiance really lies, he’ll finally earn his position with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.

More: Why U.S. Agent Likely Won't Get His Comic Shield In The MCU