We Need A Captain America Espionage Team Movie From Marvel
Every Marvel movie cannot be the size (and cost) of the Avengers series. That said, fans have expressed a burning need to see more Marvel teams.
Although MCU solo movies usually include more than one hero, there is no group dedicated to global espionage like the now defunct (Hydra infested) S.H.I.E.L.D.
Remember Captain America: Civil War?
The group imprisoned on The Raft for a short period of time could challenge any threat to modern civilation and it is time we saw them conquer a few. We know Wanda Maximoff/The Scarlet Witch is busy studying the Darkhold preparing to understand the full extent of her power (in preparation for cosmic assignments) so she might be unavailable. In addition, Clint Barton/Hawkeye has his hands full with making amends for his time as Ronin, fully committing to his wife and family which includes a teenage daughter Kate who is destined to assume the role of the new Hawkeye on the Young Avengers team. Knowing who is remaining, here is the core team:
1. Sam Wilson/Captain America
After meeting the first Black Super Soldier Isaiah Bradley, Sam has charged himself with being the change agent worthy of weilding the vibranium sheild. This will necessitate a new relationship with a US government responsible for masking horrific past crimes against it’s citizens (Bradley and other super serum test subjects) and allies while expecting loyalty and patriotism. Sam’s compassion for the average American, respect and allegiance to former Captain America Steve Rogers, his neverending optimism and commitment to inspiring others are his North Star and the reason he’s willing to partner with people of questionable history to see justice served (i.e. Baron Zemo). Sam’s Avengers gigs (and his experience with his local bank after the Blip) fuel his desire to have a greater impact on all Americans especially those in communities previously (and consistently) ignored while positively influencing larger, systemic and problematic world issues. Perfect mindset for leadership. His interest in being an inspiration will impact a future hero, the grandson of Isaiah Bradley (soon to be named Patriot. Co-founder of the Young Avengers). Then there is his new suit made of vibranium. Hella sweet!
2. Steve Rogers/Nomad
We saw him peacefully dancing with the love of his life Peggy Carter after conquering the last cosmic threat (Thanos) as a very old man. We also know he spent years after he discovered serving the US Government was not what he thought as Nomad. Willing to take on espionage issues too difficult for any government’s intelligence agency, Nomad was espionage personified. Now that we know there is a multiverse AND time travel, a new partnership with Sam’s Cap could stand against any threat, even Skrull infiltration.
3. Sharon Carter/Agent 13
Every espionage team needs someone with knowledge of and friends in government. The fact that Sharon (after her time off the grid including X-Men inhabited Madrigal) is now a global chess player with legal and not so legal connections anywhere make her "superpower" as valuable as the impact of the super serum on Steve Rogers. Her fighting skills are Black Widow level and I suspect she is a master manipulator.
And are we just supposed to ignore that kiss in Captain America: Civil War and all those long glances between her and Steve Rogers in Captain America: The Winter Soldier?
4. Shuri Udaku/Princess of Wakanda
Considered one of the most brilliant minds in the MCU, Shuri is the only scientist with expertise in the strongest metal in the world and has designed an arsenal of vibranium weapons. She is also the only scientist we know who can reprogram Hydra mind programming. This royal bombshell’s moment of elevation is way overdue. Shuri’s appointed role as Wakandan Ambassador of Technology gives her global access to information and government officials at the highest levels. Shuri could be in Paris comandeering a weapon-enhanced vibranium Mazerati in San Francisco. Did I mention she is one of the wealthiest people on the planet?
5. James "Bucky" Barnes/The Winter Soldier
After Shuri and the Dora Milaje’s successful efforts to reprogram his Hydra assassin psyche, James’ temporary team-up with Sam (on Disney+) is the best MCU partnership ever! Both are cautious Bucky might slip, both believe they are more loyal and a better friend to Steve Rogers while they still share "you haven’t won me over completely" sentiments of each other. Wakanda’s gift of a vibranium arm, his superior fight skills, decades of Hydra espionage experience and a desire to right his past wrongs make the “White Wolf” an irreplaceable member of Sam’s team. We’ve yet to see how he settles into the role of average guy and how well he navigates being a single guy (who was twenty years old 70 years ago) that wants to date in 2021. Imagine his dating profile; favorite singers: The Andrew’s Sisters, Bing Crosby and Hogey Carmichael. Can he cook? Do housework? One glance at any of this is worth 2 hours of anything else. The dude is simply one of the weird badasses in the MCU. My humble opinion is he had a more intimate relationship with Ayo the Dora with who he shared many moments during his deprogramming in Wakanda. Add in cameos from S.W.O.R.D’s Nick Fury handing off a ground mission to the team, Scott Lang/Ant Man and Hope Pym/The Wasp providing Shuri with assistance and we have a blockbuster on a budget. This is the go-to team for intellegence, deep cover espionage and unpredictable fun.
