Marvel Studios revealed a new look at “Avengers: Doomsday” via a TV spot during Game 1 of the MLB World Series. In addition to already-seen action shots like Thor (Chris Hemsworth) lunging at Doom (Robert Downey Jr.), there’s a new clip showing off some of the film’s comedy. That’s what got most people talking, and not necessarily in a positive way.
At a meeting of Avengers new and old, Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) says “Right, Cap?” while talking to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Steve gives him an awkward look, because he’s no longer Captain America – Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) is. John Walker/USAgent (Wyatt Russell) also says he was, briefly, Captain America while Scott tries to point out the confusion of having multiple captains.s America in the room.
Now the scene shows a lot of signs of trailer editing, so there’s probably more of a joke in the movie itself. But for now, many Marvel fans don’t like Sam’s legitimacy. Important context here: Mackie received racist backlash for Sam becoming Cap’s successor, with the characteristic accusations that Marvel has a “woke” agenda making a black man a top hero. Marvel even leaned into this for the Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” where Sam is initially ignored by John Walker. Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) warned Sam: “They will never let a black man become Captain America. »
“I know it’s probably a joke and Steve is going to say Sam is Cap, not him, but Mannn, it looks really shitty having the only black guy who fought crooks and was stuck with mediocre to bad outings from Cap to be the butt of the joke even though it’s very funny,” user @GunnerDobbins on X said of the “Doomsday” joke.
Marvel fans accuse Avengers: Doomsday of pandering to racist backlash
Critic Griffin Schiller made a similar point, writing: “It would be cool if the MCU stopped undermining Sam’s legitimacy as Captain America.” Why must he continue to prove himself? Why is this his only character trait? Stuff like this is just cowardly.
User @finalgirlverse said, as bluntly as possible: “Jokes aren’t funny when they’re motivated by racism #sorry.”
It’s worth noting that Steve Rogers’ return for “Avengers: Doomsday” sparked controversy, with fans reading the implication that Marvel was giving up on making Sam Captain America. Although Sam’s first solo film, “Captain America: Brave New World,” was not a mega-success, it is quite unfair and cynical to attribute the film’s failures to Anthony Mackie or Sam Wilson, the character, rather than general Marvel fatigue.
The “Doomsday” marketing campaign seems to have it both ways. Steve obviously did not wear the Captain America costume or brandish the shield, the planned moment of applause being instead that of brandishing Mjolnir as a reminder of “Avengers: Endgame”.
Regardless, other fans are more forgiving of the “Okay, Cap?” ” joke. User
Others have pointed out that the joke ultimately primarily reflects Scott Lang’s character, who has always been portrayed as respectful of Captain America. User @damiebi10 wrote: “Everyone, take a deep breath. This is a joke. Scott is a Steve fanboy. This makes sense for his character(.) Doesn’t change the fact that Sam is (C)ap.”
We’ll see if that changes when “Avengers: Doomsday” hits theaters on December 18, 2026.
Gn entert
