Why are the U.S. government trying so desperately to replace Captain America in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier? 2019's Avengers: Endgame nicely rounded off Steve Rogers' MCU story arc. After playing a vital role in the defeat of Thanos, Rogers is only too happy to go back through the Quantum Realm and return the Infinity Stones, taking the opportunity to reunite with Peggy Carter and live a normal life. This means Rogers is but an old man in the MCU's present day, and has passed the iconic Captain America shield down to Sam Wilson. This should set up Falcon as the new Cap in Disney+'s forthcoming Falcon & The Winter Soldier TV series, but apparently, his promotion won't go unchallenged.

Judging from trailer footage and the information released so far, the U.S. government have a Captain America replacement of their own waiting in the wings - John Walker, known in the Marvel comics as U.S. Agent. Played by Wyatt Russell, Walker can be glimpsed in the Falcon & Winter Soldier trailer high-fiving folks at a sports game, flanked by dancers and cheerleaders. Both this scene and on-set photos show Walker in a costume virtually identical to Steve Rogers' Captain America getup, and he comes complete with a replica shield. But this is no amateur cosplay, Walker has been officially appointed the new Captain America by the U.S. government.

Related: Has Falcon Taken Super Soldier Serum To Become The New Captain America?

The White House weren't in a rush to find a new Iron Man after Tony Stark died, so why are they determined to introduce a Captain America clone? In Captain America: The First Avenger, Steve Rogers is, initially at least, two things: an experimental test subject for government-sponsored super soldier experiments, and a morale-raising wartime propaganda machine. Both of these roles were handed to Steve Rogers by the government; the decision to rescue prisoners of war, fight the Nazis and save the world was entirely down to Rogers. Sure, the authorities were happy to defrost Steve when the need arose, but it certainly wasn't their intention to make Captain America an active soldier.

Falcon and Winter Soldier US Agent

It appears the government has a long memory, as they seem to be trying to reclaim the "Captain America" brand name in Falcon & The Winter Soldier, reverting the character back to his original purpose. The Disney+ MCU trailer only shows John Walker during a high-profile public appearance, which clearly sets out the government's priorities for Captain America 2.0. Although Walker probably will be fighting crime in Falcon & The Winter Soldier, these will be sanctioned missions carefully selected for maximum PR and minimum risk. You can bet your last Infinity Stone that Walker won't be let anywhere near the places and people most in need of Captain America's help.

The government's actions also tie into Steve Rogers' reaction to the Sokovia Accords. For a long time, Captain America was a wanted man, actively working against the very agencies that created him (and, in their minds, own him). Not only did Cap's Civil War cause a lot of trouble, it must've been a huge embarrassment to the U.S. - the man who once paraded around punching an actor dressed as Hitler to cheer up the troops became a super-powered vigilante on the run. Given how spectacularly the U.S. lost control of Steve Rogers, it's no wonder they're looking to replace him with their own man, rather than accepting Steve's pick of fellow Sokovia rebel, Sam Wilson.

John Walker vs. Sam Wilson with the "Captain America" mantle on the line will continue the MCU's ongoing theme of superhero ownership. After Thanos arrived, the Sokovia Accords and Civil War were pushed to one side, but now the world is getting back to normal, the superhero divide hasn't disappeared. Walker is everything Steve Rogers hated - corporate, controlled, mandated. More importantly, Captain America won't be where he's most needed, leaving those jobs to Sam and Bucky. Ultimately, the people of the MCU will be the ones to decide ownership over Captain America. Will they choose the smiling government puppet, or the man who fought Thanos with nothing but a jetpack and firearms?

More: Marvel Disney+ Can Explain Why Falcon Is New Captain America (Not Bucky)

The Falcon & The Winter Soldier is expected to premiere in late 2020.