Why Chris Evans is Spot On - Captain America: The Winter Soldier Remains Unmatched a Decade Later

Chris Evans, who played Captain America in the MCU, believes that "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" still holds a special place among fans. Despite the success of other popular MCU films like "Avengers: Endgame" and "Guardians of the Galaxy," Evans feels that this particular movie remains unmatched even after a decade.

During his recent appearance at Emerald City Comic-Con 2024, Chris Evans fondly reflected on his experience working on "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" as the movie celebrated its 10th anniversary, having been released in 2014.

It's my personal favorite Marvel movie that I was a part of. It's not just for the movie itself but the experience. When 'Winter Solider' came around, we were playing to win. And it's the first movie with the Russo Brothers. We were taking more risks, and the character felt more fleshed out. It was one of the more satisfying experiences I've had in my Marvel run.

While there are plenty of other projects that would be in the running for the best MCU movie of all time, there's very little argument when it comes to The Winter Soldier being the very best of its MCU sub-category within the grander cinematic universe. While there have been attempts to recreate its success, Captain America: The Winter Soldier has remained one of Marvel Studios' very best grounded action-thrillers in the MCU (and the future does look bright).

Captain America: The Winter Soldier Is Still A High Point Of The MCU

Even 10 Years Later

The Winter Soldier with Captain America's shield in Captain America The Winter Soldier - Even 10 Years Later - Captain America: The Winter Soldier Is Still A High Point Of The MCU

Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a fan favorite for a reason - it dares to be different. Unlike its predecessor, Captain America: The First Avenger, this movie introduces a whole new set of themes and mood. After waking up in the present and facing an alien attack in The Avengers, Steve Rogers finally gets a chance to adjust to the modern world in The Winter Soldier. He not only has to adapt to new technology but also navigate through complex moral dilemmas, like his conflicts with SHIELD director Nick Fury.

The MCU Has Tried (And Failed) To Repeat Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Many believe that The Winter Soldier is a prime example of successfully adapting original comic book material while adding a fresh twist that stays true to the source material. The story delves into the dark transformation of Bucky Barnes into Hydra's deadly Winter Soldier. Some moments are directly taken from the comics, such as the iconic line "Who the hell's Bucky?", while others, like Rogers' attempts to save his brainwashed friend, are unique to the screen ("I'm with you till the end of the line").

Attempts Have Been Made

Sam Wilson with Captain America shield at house in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier - Attempts Have Been Made - The MCU Has Tried (And Failed) To Repeat Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier created its own unique sub-genre within the larger MCU as a grounded action/espionage thriller. Since 2014, there have been several attempts to replicate this success. However, most of these attempts have fallen short and have not been able to match the impact of the Captain America sequel.

Some of these attempts within the MCU include The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Black Widow, and Secret Invasion. These projects prominently featured characters from Captain America: The Winter Soldier and also aimed for a grounded espionage feel. Despite this, none of them were able to match or surpass the success of The Winter Soldier. This film was significant for the future of the MCU as it marked the first Marvel movie directed by The Russo Brothers, who went on to direct Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame.

The MCU Needs Projects Like Captain America: The Winter Soldier

A Grounded And Entertaining Sub-Genre

Steve Rogers fighting Batroc in Captain America The Winter Soldier - A Grounded And Entertaining Sub-Genre - The MCU Needs Projects Like Captain America: The Winter Soldier

In the early days of the MCU, one of the best things was the diverse range of movies. Some were more "grounded" like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the early Iron Man films. Others were more fantastical or cosmic like the Thor movies and Guardians of the Galaxy. Recently, many MCU projects have been similar in tone, all focusing on high fantasy or cosmic threats. Fans are hoping for a return to the variety and balance that made the early MCU so special.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier was a significant part of showcasing the more realistic side of the MCU. While there are many fantastic projects in the MCU that fans adore, The Winter Soldier stands out because nothing quite like it has been seen since.

Future MCU projects have the potential to replicate the success of The Winter Soldier, even though Marvel Studios has not been able to achieve the same level of impact in their recent releases.

How The MCU Can Recapture The Magic Of Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Future Projects Are Promising

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson in a promo for Captain America: Brave New World - Future Projects Are Promising - How The MCU Can Recapture The Magic Of Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Luckily, the future lineup of MCU films includes some exciting movies that will likely fall into the action-thriller category. Captain America: Brave New World and Marvel's Thunderbolts are two examples that stand out. These projects have the potential to follow in the footsteps of the Winter Soldier by further developing existing character storylines.

In The Winter Soldier, Steve Rogers, Natasha, Nick Fury, and Bucky are already known characters. The movie takes the time to explore new character moments and dynamic tensions that were largely built on pre-existing character-audience relationships. Brave New World and Thunderbolts can benefit greatly from this approach, especially with the Thunderbolts roster filled with familiar MCU characters who have the potential for further development.

The post-Endgame MCU hasn't fully utilized this opportunity, as shown by the lack of currently announced sequels within the Multiverse Saga (movies and sequels occurring within Phases 4-6). The return to more sequels in the MCU is a positive step towards re-establishing the character connections that made The Winter Soldier so impactful.

While not as grounded, the success of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. serves as another example of strong character building leading to compelling drama and tension. This emphasis on character development is crucial for the MCU's success, as seen in The Winter Soldier, which continues to be a standout film even a decade after its release.

Source: Emerald City Comic-Con/Chris Evans

Editor's P/S:

Chris Evans's reflection on "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" highlights the enduring impact of this film within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Evans's personal connection to the project and his belief in its unmatched quality underscore the exceptional nature of this movie. The article provides a compelling analysis of "The Winter Soldier" as a grounded action-thriller that successfully adapted comic book material while adding unique elements. It argues that the film's success has not been replicated, despite attempts to recreate its formula. The article emphasizes the need for more projects like "The Winter Soldier" within the MCU, as it showcases a distinct sub-genre that offers a balance to the more fantastical elements of the franchise.

The article also provides insight into how future MCU projects can recapture the magic of "The Winter Soldier." It suggests that upcoming films like "Captain America: Brave New World" and "Marvel's Thunderbolts" have the potential to do so by focusing on character development and exploring existing storylines. The emphasis on character connections and the return to more sequels within the Multiverse Saga are seen as positive steps towards re-establishing the impact that made "The Winter Soldier" so successful. Overall, the article provides a thoughtful perspective on the enduring legacy of "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" and its significance within the MCU.