Captain America May Have A Different Superhero Identity In Avengers: Infinity War

Steve Rogers has been Captain America since 1942 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Granted, there's a large period of inactivity between World War II and the beginning of this decade, but he's nonetheless established himself as one of the world's greatest superheroes several times over. However, following the events of Captain America: Civil War, Steve discarded the Captain America identity, and a new report claims that when we see him again in Avengers: Infinity War, he'll have taken a page from his comic book counterpart and become Nomad.

MCU Exchange has heard that Steve Rogers will be rocking the Nomad identity at the start of Avengers: Infinity War, although he will not wear an exact replica of the costume he donned in the comics. Combined with the beard Chris Evans was sporting in the Avengers: Infinity War footage screened this past weekend at D23, moviegoers will be seeing a drastically different Steve when the third Avengers movie begins.

Steve Rogers became Nomad in the comics in 1974 for a short period after becoming disillusioned with the U.S. government upon learning that one of its high-ranking officials (hinted to be the President) led the Secret Empire terrorist group. Steve only served as Nomad for four issues, and others who've taken up the identity since then include Jack Monroe (the Bucky Barnes of the 1950s), Rikki Barnes (the Counter-Earth incarnation of Bucky Barnes) and Ian Rogers (Steve Rogers' son from Dimension Z). Even with Steve's time as Nomad didn't last long in the comics, having him tread down the same path in the MCU would be fitting given where we left off with him in Captain America: Civil War.

Steve Rogers rebelled against the United States in his third movie when he refused to comply with the Sokovia Accords. But when a beaten Tony Stark (who was upset to learn that Winter Soldier killed his parents) declared that Steve didn't deserve to carry the vibranium shield, Steve relented and left his trademark weapon behind. By the time Steve freed his heroic allies from The Raft prison wearing regular clothing rather than his red, white and blue uniform, it was clear Steve had given up being Captain America. Suiting up as Nomad represents him still wanting to be heroic, but without highlighting a country that's implemented a law he doesn't agree with.

Of course, given what will unfold in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4, it wouldn't be surprising if something happens that pushes Steve Rogers to reclaim the Captain America identity in either of those movies. The Nomad shift makes narrative sense, but in the end, most Marvel fans would love to see Steve wielding the shield again. That said, given that Avengers 4 is currently the last movie on Evans' contract, as well as the big conclusion to everything that's gone down in the MCU since its inception, it remains to be seen what Steve's ultimate fate will be come 2019.

We'll see what's in store for Steve Rogers next when Avengers: Infinity War is released on May 4, 2018.