Warning! This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World

The release of Captain America: Brave New World has reignited questions over Steve Rogers’ whereabouts in the MCU. Steve was last seen in Avengers: Endgame, returning to the present day after a journey through time and having lived a long life with Peggy Carter. It was here that Steve bequeathed his shield and mantle to Sam Wilson, one of Steve’s closest friends and compatriots. While his decision (which derives from comic book precedent) was bound to raise some eyebrows, it was a sign of Steve’s confidence in Sam and his embodiment of traits necessary to hold the mantle.

The shield has since reappeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where Sam struggles to reconcile with Steve’s decision, allowing it to fall into the wrong hands with John Walker before accepting the responsibility. Despite the events of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier hinging on Cap’s legacy, Steve Rogers is only featured in pictures and mentions. The question of Steve Rogers’ whereabouts now seems even more pertinent with the release of Captain America: Brave New World, as the movie’s title is an unavoidable reminder of the previous mantle-holder.

Steve Rogers Is Still Retired In Captain America: Brave New World

Nothing In Captain America: Brave New World Suggests Otherwise

Steve Rogers does not appear in Captain America: Brave New World. In fact, he isn’t so much as mentioned by Sam Wilson, who carries out his duties as the new Captain America with no oversight or advice whatsoever from his illustrious predecessor. This assures us that Steve Rogers remains in retirement and that threats to the nation, no matter how physically threatening, are unlikely to draw him out in any capacity. This is in keeping with what old Steve Rogers has done so far, as he seemingly refused to intervene throughout living until old age in the sacred timeline.

Steve Rogers’ original shield was destroyed in the Battle of Earth, suggesting that he acquired another one during his journey through time.

This decision is likely intended to ensure that the focus does not deviate from the new Captain America, Sam Wilson. While Sam has proven to be a worthy successor to Steve, reintroducing Rogers in Sam’s debut solo movie would only hinder the effort to establish Sam’s new tenure as Cap. It is also hard to overlook, as Deadpool noted in Deadpool & Wolverine, how a Chris Evans cameo would affect the movie’s budget, while Evans has repeatedly assured MCU fans that he is retired from the franchise.

Has Steve Rogers Died In The MCU?

Nobody Has Mentioned Steve Rogers Dying

Given Steve was last seen as a very old man bequeathing inexorable aspects of his identity to Sam Wilson, his fate six years after the release of Avengers: Endgame may be a cause for concern. After all, no mention of his predecessor throughout Sam’s biggest challenge yet suggests that Steve Rogers is truly gone and left this mortal coil in addition to the MCU. Nevertheless, as far as anyone is aware, Steve Rogers still lives and is instead living out his retirement somewhere off-screen. Rumors about him living on the moon, however, remain unconfirmed.

It may be frustrating to some to learn that Steve Rogers still lives yet refuses to intervene in cataclysmic events in any capacity. He was, after all, as much a leader and strategist as a hand-to-hand master, and his advanced age shouldn’t preclude him from aiding outside the action. Still, his absence in Captain America: Brave New World may yet be explained in a future MCU installment like Avengers: Doomsday, where he was once rumored to be returning. It stands to reason that somebody would mention Steve’s death, so until then it’s reasonable to assume he lives.