Why Steve Rogers Didn’t Appear In Falcon & The Winter Soldier

Why didn't Steve Rogers appear in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier? Chris Evans' Steve Rogers was Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for nearly a decade of movies. His time to wear the stars and stripes and carry the vibranium shield came to an end with Avengers: Endgame, though. Steve passed the Captain America mantle to Sam Wilson, and The Falcon and The Winter Soldier thoroughly explored the acceptance of this title. Sam initially gave up the shield but ended the series with it and officially became the MCU's new Captain America.

Sam's journey to becoming Captain America included an exploration of the title's past and the return of Super Soldier Serum. This saw Sam team up with Steve's best friend Bucky Barnes, meet with Steve's former almost-flame in Sharon Carter, work together with Steve's former villain Baron Zemo, and discover the existence of the man who momentarily replaced Steve as Captain America in Isaiah Bradley. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier even included multiple references to Steve Rogers' whereabouts after Avengers: Endgame. The best the show could do was joke Steve is now on the moon, and many viewers remained hopeful that a surprise appearance would come in the finale.

Those wishing for a Steve Rogers appearance in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier were ultimately disappointed. The six-episode Disney+ series came and went without the return of Chris Evans' star-spangled superhero. So why didn't Steve Rogers return in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier? The easiest and most likely answer is that Chris Evans is done in the MCU. Though rumors swirled that he may be returning, they were shot down. Even if he were returning, there was no place for him in the series. The show's story was quite large but it didn't provide a natural fit for Steve to appear. It's also possible Chris Evans wasn't available to film any scenes, especially after COVID-19 hit, or that Marvel Studios wants to hold off on his return for a bigger event.

Steve Rogers returning in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier was always easier said than done, especially when it came to a possible appearance in the finale. Taking a look at the multiple converging storylines the final episode covers, it quickly becomes difficult to find a place for Steve. Since he is now an old man, it would be out of place for Steve to appear in the final battle to help Sam and Bucky defeat the Flag-Smashers. Meanwhile, the resolution to Sam's personal story and accepting the Captain America mantle didn't need Steve. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier stayed true to its narrative by having Sam meet up with Isaiah Bradley at the end. Marvel could've jammed a Steve appearance in at this point instead, but it would not have fit with the rest of the series.

Even if The Falcon and The Winter Soldier's story had a place where Steve Rogers could've returned, Marvel Studios will benefit by making fans wait for this moment. It's only been a few years since Avengers: Endgame seemingly concluded Steve's MCU story. Bringing him back this quickly for a quick cameo probably wouldn't be the most satisfying option for Evans, Marvel, or fans. Marvel Studios could save Evans' return for a major crossover film further down the road, like Secret Wars. It's also possible plans are already in place for Steve Rogers to appear in the MCU's newly announced Captain America 4 movie. Since Sam's big-screen story last saw him with Steve, it would make sense for his next appearance to include Steve too. As for what role Steve could play in Captain America 4, that could depend on what the story becomes. But it's probably for the best that Steve Rogers wasn't in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier after all.

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