Steve Rogers, better known as captain Americais one of the most emblematic characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Played in these films by Chris Evans, the hero showed why he could be one of the leaders of the Avengers, given his entire iconic and even epic trajectory within the comics.
Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby in the early 1940s, its first appearance in audiovisual media took place in 1944, with the release of a serial film, something common at that time. Since then, the public has closely followed the entire evolution of the character, who has had his psychology explored in countless places, even culminating in a series on Disney+.
Below, therefore, check out more details about Captain America’s evolution in theaters, including his participation in the MCU. Enjoy!
Captain America (1944)
(Republic Pictures/Playback)Source: Republic Pictures
As previously mentioned, his first appearance outside of comics took place in 1944. Republic Pictures was inspired by his stories to create a new concept of popular hero.
Thus came the cinematographic series, very common at the time, whose episodes were shown in movie theaters every week. Altogether, 15 narratives were developed which, together, are 243 minutes long. Interestingly, the character (played by Dick Purcell) is seen in a very different way than the public is used to.
captain America (1979)
(CBS/Playback)Source: CBS
A few years passed and two telefilms were commissioned by CBS featuring the titular hero as the protagonist. Actor Reb Brown was cast to play him in both productions.
With a plot more similar to the original comic book, Steve Rogers came up with a very interesting backstory, emphasizing the relationship he had with his father until he became Captain America because of an experimental chemical.
Captain America: The Movie (nineteen ninety)
(21st Century Film Corporation/Playback)Source: 21st Century Film Corporation
Time passed and yet another film came out to introduce the hero to a new audience. However, despite the efforts of its distributor at the time, the feature film did not manage to reach the movie theaters and was restricted to a home video circuit, through VHS tapes.
In that project, Matt Salinger took on the role of Steve Rogers, exploring the hero’s origin story from the military experiment he was subjected to during World War II to his rise.
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
(Marvel/Playback)Source: Marvel
Even before the debut of Chris Evans as Captain America in the MCU, Marvel included the character in some animations, such as The Avengers: United They Stand (1999), Ultimate Avengers (2006), Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008), as well as appearances in the Spider-Man and X-Men animated series.
In 2011, with his arrival in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a new origin plot was planned, showing how everything had happened to Rogers in the past until he arrived at the present time.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
(Marvel/Playback)Source: Marvel
With the success of Phase 1 of the MCU, which culminated in the highly anticipated Avengers crossover in 2012, it didn’t take long for a direct sequel to the first Captain America film to be planned and subsequently released in theaters.
In this second film, the hero, now with an alliance signed with Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), the Black Widow, and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), the Falcon, needs to face an unexpected enemy: the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).
Captain America: Civil War (2016)
(Marvel/Playback)Source: Marvel
In the meantime, Steve Rogers was seen still in Avengers Age of Ultron (2015), which added more complex layers to the character’s psychology at this stage of the MCU. After forming new alliances and facing his past ghosts, he still needed to be firm with his opinions in the face of Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) sovereignty.
- It’s ‘official’: Steve Rogers was right all along in the MCU
Due to political intrigues, the Avengers are divided, forming two antagonistic teams: one of them, including, is led by Rogers in opposition to Iron Man.
Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame (2018 and 2019)
(Marvel/Playback)Source: Marvel
Captain America was also seen in more MCU movies until he fully said goodbye to the Infinity Saga during Avengers: Endgamein 2019. Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) threat to humanity was so severe, it caused irreparable damage to the planet.
- Avengers: Endgame: What’s the connection between Captain America and Namor?
Joining all his forces with other heroes, after Stark’s sacrifice, Rogers decides to return to the past to live as an ordinary person, despite the regrets. But his legacy remains intact.
Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)
(Disney Plus/Playback)Source: Disney Plus
With the development of series productions for Disney +, Phase 4 of the MCU presented new paths for Captain America, including lessons in belonging. Sam Wilson, the Falcon, returns alongside Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, to claim the shield that belonged to Rogers.
Later, the streaming platform also released the animation What If…?in which Peggy Carter, in one of Marvel’s alternate universes, develops as Captain Carter, loosely inspired by Captain America.
Do you miss Steve Rogers as Captain America? What do you expect from the character’s future in the MCU?
