Marvel Studios' mutant-centric plan for the Marvel Cinematic Universe could result in a surprise replacement for Captain America at a future point in time. Of course, there's no indication that Anthony Mackie has any intention of stepping away from his role as the Star Spangled Avenger anytime soon, but since there's no expiration date on the MCU, there's no guarantee that any character's status is permanent.
What's more, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are likely to feature their fair share of major character deaths. All sorts of characters could be on the chopping block, and that includes Sam Wilson. He's only been Captain America one time on the big screen, and that could understandably deter Marvel from making such a move. But, it's that very fact that could make his demise in Doomsday or Secret Wars a shocking turn of events.
Even if that's not the case, there's a limit to how long Sam Wilson can be expected to stay Captain America. Anthony Mackie himself has said that he intends to play the hero for 10 years, starting from 2025. If Marvel sticks to that plan, the studio could be looking for a new Sentinel of Liberty by 2035. And based on the length of the Infinity Saga and the Multiverse Saga, there's a chance that its third chapter is still ongoing when the MCU gets around to either replacing or setting up the replacement for Sam Wilson.
All things considered, the chapter that succeeds the Multiverse Saga is on track to be mutant-oriented. It's often been referred to as "The Mutant Saga," although an official label hasn't been adopted yet. Regardless, the notion makes sense, as 2028's X-Men is poised to begin the next era after Avengers: Secret Wars ends the Multiverse Saga. Since there hasn't been an opportunity for a heavy X-Men focus up until this point, multiple projects involving mutants feels like a logical course to take.
Because of that, Marvel's non-mutant heroes may find themselves roped into X-Men-adjacent story arcs, not unlike how Spider-Man: Brand New Day formed a bridge between Spider-Man and one of the characters who represents the future of the MCU's X-Men franchise. With that in mind, it's not implausible that the MCU's next Captain America is rooted in the foundational elements of the Mutant Saga and the characters who define it.
A dark horse candidate to be the MCU's next Captain America is Vance Astrovik, a C-list superhero and a core member of the original Guardians of the Galaxy team, which is based in an alternate future. After growing up in an abusive household, Vance changed his surname to "Astro" to distance himself from his father and became an astronaut at a young age. Afterward, he volunteered for a NASA program that would send a man to the solar system known as Alpha Centauri.
Vance went into statis for the voyage, but since his ship didn't arrive until the 31st century, Vance was in suspended animation for a thousand years. Upon awakening, Vance allied with various alien beings and formed the Guardians of the Galaxy. During their adventures, he discovered that he was a mutant, possessing the ability to shoot psionic blasts from his mind. He gained another weapon in arsenal in the 1990s Guardians of the Galaxy comic series when he acquired the shield of the long-dead Captain America.
Getting his hands on the shield was a massive moment for Vance, and just because of its historical significance in the 31st century. Marvel Comics had long characterized Vance Astro as a Steve Rogers superfan, someone who named his ship "The Captain America" and had Captain America-themed bedroom in his ship (intentionally modeled after his childhood bedroom).
Vance's idolization of Captain America was key to understanding him as a character. He put Cap on a pedestal, using him as a way to reinforce his own deeply-held moral convictions and values that seemed old-fashioned to those around him.
Later on, Marvel Comics used Vance Astrovik's backstory as the basis to create a second superhero, this one being someone who could share adventures with modern-day superheroes without needing time travel. The Vance Astrovik of Earth-616 - who didn't change his name - never explored a career as an astronaut. Instead, he discovered his mutant abilities as a teenager and chose to stay on Earth as a costumed superhero.
He suited up as "Marvel Boy" and became a founding member of the New Warriors, a team comprised of teenage superheroes. Later on, he changed his superhero moniker to "Justice," and achieved his childhood dream. Alongside fellow New Warrior, Firestar, Justice joined the Avengers in the late 1990s and even got to serve under Captain America's leadership. And though he had many differences from his 31st counterpart, one thing that he and Vance Astro had in common was their undying admiration for Steve Rogers.
Looking at what Marvel Comics did with both Vance Astro and Justice, there's a great deal of storytelling potential attached to the name of "Vance Astrovik." He could become the face of the next Guardians of the Galaxy team and help chart a new cosmic future for the MCU. Or, Marvel could keep him on Earth as "Justice," where he could become a prominent mutant hero, possibly as a New Warrior, an Avenger, or as an X-Man.
Justice isn't a member of the X-Men in the Marvel Universe, but an upcoming comic is on track to change that. Justice is confirmed to be part of the lineup for the new Maximum X-Men comic starting in December 2026.
Another possibility, and perhaps a more intriguing one, is that the MCU follows along with the comics and allows both versions of Vance Astro (played by the same actor) to exist independently. And interestingly, either of them would be an appropriate choice to succeed Sam Wilson as Captain America. In the case of Vance Astro, it would be particularly symbolic, considering that he too is a time-displaced hero whose journey was born from a patriotic wish to serve his country.
As characters guided by strict moral compasses and the unyielding desire to do the right thing despite the personal cost, Justice and Vance Astro are ideological fits to be Captain America, even if neither formally took up the role in Marvel Comics.
Rather, becoming Captain America could serve as the natural evolution of their character arcs, whether it's Vance Astro taking up the mantle on a post-apocalyptic Earth to give hope to humanity, or Justice, after maturing into a veteran superhero, claiming the moniker to further the legacy of his childhood idol.
