‘Avengers: Endgame’ Directors Explain Why [SPOILER] Got Captain America’s Shield

“Avengers: Endgame” wrapped up quite a few storylines (so expect spoilers ahead!), including that of Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). He retired and passed his shield off to Falcon/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). However, many people were expecting Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) to be the new Captain America.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo explained their choice to make Sam the new Captain America on Monday, as they lifted the spoiler ban on “Endgame.” They pointed out that while Shuri (Letitia Wright) undid Bucky’s brainwashing, there’s still a chance that it’s not all gone.

“It made sense that it was Sam,” Joe said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast. “I don’t think that there were significant debates at all. I mean, Bucky is portrayed in the films as very damaged and not necessarily the guy that you would want to trust with another weapon because he could be corrupted.”

Bucky’s instability wasn’t the only reason Sam got the vibranium shield, though. Joe added that Sam and Steve have similar personalities and values.

“If anyone matches Cap’s integrity over the course of the last few film’s, it’s Sam, from the time they met on the mall in D.C. through the end of this film,” Joe explained. “And he just seemed like the logical choice in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We don’t have all the context that the comics have. We can only bring completion to the stories we’ve been telling and that seemed to make the most sense.”

On Entertainment Weekly Radio, the Russos elaborated more on Sam and Steve’s connection. “It became pretty clear to us early on, Cap and Sam just share a character connection,” Anthony said.

“Not that Cap and Bucky don’t,” Joe interjected.

Anthony explained the difference in those two relationships. “I think the real attraction between Cap and Bucky — their relationship started more as opposites. That’s how they complemented each other where I feel like Sam and Cap are more kindred spirits,” he noted.

Fans will soon get to explore the aftermath of Sam getting the shield. “Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is an upcoming series for Disney+, a new streaming platform launching in November. The Russos, however, did not have input in the show. According to Variety, Malcolm Spellman (“Empire”) has been hired as the showrunner. The series doesn’t have a premiere date yet.