Captain America’s back?

I’m a big fan of the MCU movies up through Avengers: Endgame. One of the things I found amazing about that movie in particular was how they tied up Captain America’s arc. He was my favorite of the original Avengers, and after Endgame, I felt like every movie he was in was good. Not always great, but at least good.

Now, it’s been officially announced that he’s coming back for the next installment and all of that could change.

I’ve seen commentary online, calling this move by Disney/Marvel desperate. Maybe. What it definitely demonstrates is that none of the characters or storylines introduced since Endgame could carry an Avengers movie, in Disney’s opinion.

Whatever their motivations, I’m a big fan of endings and they’re undoing a great one. A fantastic story with a bad ending or no ending is a bad story. The Walking Dead is my favorite example from late. The best movies and television shows are where they feel like the writers aren’t making it up as they go (like they did in Star Wars 7-9). They have a direction, and they land the ending. Like they did with Captain America… until not.

Despite all of this, I’m also kind of excited for it. The New Avengers and Fantastic Four were both good. Not incredible, but they felt like they could be numbered with the movies from the before-times. If they even pull off something as satisfying as the Age of Ultron, I’ll be very happy. It’s still possible to tell a good Avengers story, and it’s possible to bring back Captain America and make it good.

They can’t keep bringing Captain America back forever, though. Hopefully, they have a more sustainable plan moving forward. One of the best options, and one they probably won’t consider, is: The End.