10 Mind-Blowing Captain America Theories You Need To See

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MCU viewers have compiled an impressive array of Captain America theories that will completely change some of the best MCU movies and could reveal the MCU’s future. Steve Rogers is one of the most iconic and beloved members of the Avengers, representing a purely heroic soul. Having appeared in several entrants in the MCU timeline, there are several unaccounted-for events that audiences have promptly solved, some of which have since been confirmed as correct by Marvel.
Captain America has long been one of the most central and beloved figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Steve Rogers has been integral to the MCU"s development, from his debut in Captain America: The First Avenger to his leadership in The Avengers. However, after passing the mantle to Sam Wilson at the end of Avengers: Endgame, the character’s future took a new direction. After grappling with his responsibilities in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson will become these official Captain America in the MCU"s Captain America: Brave New World.
10 Captain America Was Killed During The Battle Of Wakanda See Avengers: Infinity War Close One intriguing theory posits that Captain America didn’t initially survive the Battle of Wakanda in Avengers: Infinity War. In the climactic fight scene, Thanos delivers a powerful punch to Steve Rogers’ head, yet Cap seemingly recovers almost immediately. Some viewers speculate that this blow would have been fatal, as similar assaults have flattened much more durable heroes, such as the Hulk.
However, the theory suggests that when Thanos later uses the Time Stone to reverse the destruction of Vision and retrieve the Mind Stone, the surroundings also revert, effectively undoing any damage to Cap. Since the Time Stone reversed immediate events during the battle, Natasha Romanoff is no longer pinned under debris, Bruce Banner is freed from the wreckage, and Captain America’s injuries are mysteriously gone. This makes it an extremely plausible theory and would explain why Captain America could defeat the odds by holding back the Mad Titan.
9 The Super Soldier Serum Is Derived From Wakanda's Heart-Shaped Herb See Black Panther Close One popular MCU theory suggests that the Super Soldier Serum that transformed Steve Rogers into Captain America was actually derived from Wakanda"s Heart-Shaped Herb. As seen in the comics and the movies, this herb is what gives Black Panther enhanced abilities, strikingly similar to those of Captain America. The theory speculates that Howard Stark acquired the herb during a visit to Wakanda, when he also obtained the Vibranium for Cap’s shield.
This would explain why the serum used on Steve was so successful, while later attempts to recreate it led to abominations like the Red Skull or Hulk. The connection between the Heart-Shaped Herb and the Super Soldier Serum would also deepen the ties between Cap and Black Panther, both of whom exhibit superhuman strength, agility, and durability. It would also neatly tie together precisely how Stark acquired the Vibranium, as it only exists in Wakanda.
8 Braddock Is Captain America's Code Name When He Went Back In Time See Avengers: Endgame Close A particularly mind-bending theory suggests that when Steve Rogers went back in time at the end of Avengers: Endgame, he didn’t simply retire – he adopted a new code name: Braddock. During the time-heist, Steve overhears Peggy Carter mention "Braddock," which many assume is a reference to Captain Britain, the famed British superhero. The theory posits that Steve continued his superhero career under this new alias while living in the past with Peggy, fighting threats behind the scenes.
This would explain why Peggy is so concerned by Braddock’s well-being when the character is yet to emerge in the franchise. This also opens the door to the idea that Steve and Peggy are the parents of Brian Braddock, the future Captain Britain, and his sister Betsy Braddock, who becomes Psylocke. This subtle nod may hint at future explorations of the Captain Britain Corps within the MCU.
7 The Super Soldier Serum Also Increased Steve Rogers' Intelligence See Captain America: The First Avenger Close The Super Soldier Serum is often credited with enhancing Steve Rogers’ physical attributes, but one theory suggests it also increased his intelligence. While Cap is not portrayed as a scientific genius on the level of Tony Stark or Bruce Banner, his sharp tactical mind and leadership skills are unparalleled. The theory suggests that Steve’s enhanced intellect allowed him to quickly adapt to battlefield situations and master complex combat strategies.
The focus on war during his transformation may have directed his heightened intellect towards leadership and strategy, rather than the scientific innovations typical of characters like Stark. Indeed, Cap is frequently able to learn how to use weaponry or assess combat situations far quicker than his contemporaries. This subtle boost in intelligence makes sense given the serum’s ability to enhance all aspects of the person it’s administered to.
6 Penicillin Saved Captain America From Red Skull's Fate See Captain America: The First Avenger Close A quirky yet plausible theory suggests that penicillin may have saved Steve Rogers from the disfigurement that befell Johann Schmidt, aka the Red Skull. Before undergoing the transformation, Steve is injected with a shot of penicillin to prevent infections - a seemingly throwaway line in Captain America: The First Avenger presents this as a joke. However, this theory posits that penicillin played a crucial role in Steve’s successful transformation by providing a more sterile environment for the serum.

Related How Chris Evans Became Skinny Steve In Captain America: The First Avenger How did Marvel transform Chris Evans into skinny Steve Rogers for Captain America: The First Avenger? CGI and body doubles were part of the process.
In contrast, Red Skull may not have been given any antibiotic protection, allowing latent bacteria in his body to multiply uncontrollably once the Super Soldier Serum took effect. The serum’s ability to enhance everything in the body, including pathogens, could explain Schmidt’s grotesque transformation in the Red Skull, making penicillin the unsung hero of Steve’s perfect metamorphosis in The First Avenger.
5 Captain America Wasn't Worthy Enough To Lift Mjolnir Until After Avengers: Age Of Ultron See Avengers: Age Of Ultron And Avengers: Endgame Close In Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America famously budged Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, but didn’t fully lift it. This hinted at his eventual wielding of the hammer later in the franchise, but was a fun nod to his pure spirit. Some have suggested that he intentionally chose not to lift the hammer fully in Age of Ulton. However, it could be that Steve wasn’t yet worthy at that point in time.
Like Thor when he first lost the hammer, Cap may have had some unresolved internal conflict or doubts about his path. At the time, Steve was still working for the government and embroiled in superheroics and military operations. By the time of Avengers: Endgame, however, Cap had broken away from the government’s control, embracing a more humanitarian cause, allowing him to fully lift Mjolnir and wield its power during the final battle with Thanos.
4 Steve Rogers Attended Peggy Carter's Funeral As An Old Man See Captain America: Civil War Close In Captain America: Civil War, a mysterious elderly man named Roger Stevens attends Peggy Carter’s funeral, leading to one of the more poignant Captain America theories. This theory suggests that the old man is actually Steve Rogers himself, who traveled back in time at the end of Avengers: Endgame and lived a quiet life with Peggy. By the time of her funeral, Steve would have aged naturally, allowing him to mourn her from the shadows, out of respect for her legacy and to avoid raising suspicions.
Interestingly, this theory, which has since been confirmed by the filmmakers, adds a bittersweet layer to Steve and Peggy’s love story. This subtly confirms that there were two versions of Steve operating in the same timeline for most of the MCU. As such, this lends further credibility to the “Braddock” theory, as his identity would need to be kept secret.
3 Sam Wilson Has Already Received A Version Of The Super Soldier Serum See The Falcon And The Winter Soldier Close In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson eventually accepts the mantle of Captain America, despite not possessing any superhuman abilities. However, one theory suggests that Sam may have already received a version of the Super Soldier Serum without even knowing it. This would explain how he’s able to survive battles that should have easily killed him and keep up with enhanced individuals during his time as the Falcon.
The theory poses the idea that Sam was given a diluted version of the serum at some point in his past, which enhanced his physical abilities just enough to make him a viable candidate for Captain America. This would not only help explain his extraordinary combat skills but also set up future stories exploring Sam’s relationship with the serum. This could also connect with the Red Hulk’s emergence in Captain America: Brave New World.
2 Avengers: Endgame Created An Evil Captain America Who Will Resurface See Avengers: Endgame Close A darker Captain America theory suggests that Avengers: Endgame inadvertently created an evil version of Captain America. During the time heist, Steve Rogers is forced to fight a past version of himself in 2012. After narrowly winning the fight, Steve knocks his past self unconscious using Loki’s scepter. Loki’s sceptor was notorious for influencing many people’s minds in The Avengers, and could have had a similar effect on Steve Rogers.
The theory proposes that somewhere in the MCU’s multiverse, Hydra agents (still operating in SHIELD) could have taken advantage of Cap’s unconscious and altered state. They could have subsequently brainwashed him, turning him into a Hydra loyalist like they did the Winter Soldier. This alternate, evil version of Captain America could resurface in future MCU projects, particularly given the multiverse storylines being explored.
1 Chris Evans' Captain America Will Return In Avengers: Secret Wars Avengers: Secret Wars Could Reunite Evans With RDJ Close One of the most exciting theories for fans of Chris Evans’ Captain America is that the actor will reprise his role in Avengers: Secret Wars. With Secret Wars exploring the multiverse and bringing together different versions of beloved characters, it seems highly likely that Evans will return, even if only in a variant capacity. Whether it’s the original Steve Rogers or an alternate version, many are eager to see Evans don the star-spangled suit once again.
Following Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the franchise as the villain Doctor Doom, it seems anything is now possible through the MCU’s multiverse. Some have even suggested that an evil Captain America from an alternate timeline (see above) could return as a key villain in Secret Wars, following in a similar vein as RDJ. Nevertheless, it’s a thrilling theory that could have enormous consequences for the MCU, and will alter how people interpret future movies.

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8.6/10 Captain America: The First Avenger Captain America: The First Avenger is a 2011 superhero movie starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a weak patriotic civilian who becomes the test subject for the military's Super Soldier project. The film was the fifth film in the long-running MCU franchise and also starred Samuel L. Jackson, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan.
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17 8.2/10 Captain America: The Winter Soldier Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the ninth entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After being awoken from cryosleep in the previous film, Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world. As he adjusts, he must battle a new threat from old history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier.
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12 8.3/10 Captain America: Civil War This third Captain America film adapts the "Civil War" storyline from Marvel Comics and sees Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) at an impasse over who governs superheroes and how. Captain America: Civil War pits two teams of Avengers against one another and introduces new superheroes Black Panther and Spider-Man. The divide between the two perceived leaders of the Avengers caused the other members to choose sides. It all started when the UN decided to take control of the superheroes’ involvement in fighting crimes. Steve disagreed with the UN’s proposal, while Tony supported the decision. Things turn for the worst when Steve’s friend Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), also known as the Winter Soldier, becomes the prime suspect in a terrorist bombing.
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Captain America: Brave New World Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titled New World Order) marks Sam Wilson's first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk's former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
Upcoming MCU Movies

Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025