Sad Reality Of The Fanfic-to-published Work Economy Is That The Weirdest People Are Willing To Do It.

I’m sorry I screwed up. Screwed up? Get out of here. I did. You never messed up like I have. You never got shot out of the sky and nosedived into the Indian Ocean. You’re always on point. Yeah. Because if I’m not on point… I feel like I let down everyone else who was fightin’ for a seat at that table. That’s pressure, man. It weighs on you. Makes you wonder if you’ll ever just be… enough. Where I grew up, I only ever got to see heroes online. Or on TV. It always felt so far away. And I kept thinkin’ maybe if I get out of Miami, you know, maybe one day I could be… Don’t say AntMan. No, man. I wanted to be you. Well… Sam Wilson. Because that guy? That guy won’t ever give up. That pressure, that responsibility you talk about? I want that too, man.

ANTHONY MACKIE & DANNY RAMIREZ Captain America: Brave New World | 2025

Whatever happens next, however the writers resolve things, with Sam and Bucky, with the various teams, in Doomsday, in Cap 5, in whatever, it doesn’t matter. I will always remember how terrible, how truly awful, how oftentimes downright racist, this fandom behaved about Sam Wilson and his fans because of Thunderbolts* and the PCS that followed the movie. Sam’s name wasn’t mentioned in the movie, and he didn’t even show up in the PCS and still the fandom has used the movie & PCS as their newest excuse for terrible behavior and racism, towards the character, actor, and fans.

So next year when Doomsday drops and you guys all like Sam again because he smiles at Bucky or something, just know that we will all still remember every single rancid thing you ever said, especially since you all keep going out of your way to shove it in our faces.

SAMLEILA DELETED SCENEE

that's my life, that's my life x

So, you've got this character, right? And he's introduced in a supporting role, but he's interesting and compelling and has potential as a lead. He leads his own subplots every now and then, but there's room for more.

Then, over the decades, he gets more and more neglected. His characterisation and visual portrayal somehow gets worse and even more racist despite supposedly improving attitudes. But what's this? 2014? And he's captain America. He is declared to be important, a main character. Finally, a chance to shine!

Of course, then, the avengers stories don't focus on him and only some of the writing is good... then they discard him after the secret wars stuff. But what's this? 2022? He's back? He's cap again?

Well, not really. Steve's cap. Sam is off in the background somewhere, in an underwhelming solo run, sequestered from most other comics.

But what if we turn to live action? Sam is introduced as a supporting character but he's fun and he's interesting. What's this? 2019? We're told directly that sam is important, that Sam's going to matter.

2 years later we get a series that's a mixed bag, with his co star getting the more fawning writing and the overwhelming majority of the audience response. But don't worry, he's getting a film.

4 years later, the delayed film comes out. Its release is tarnished by a bonkers decision to adapt sabra and by a reactionary, anti-woke media ecosystem. Despite this, it does well financially and is pretty good. Sam wasn't focused on in the marketing, and his co star bears more thematic focus in the film, but it's promising. Sam as the lead. Sam as important.

2 months later. They say nah again. He doesn't matter. He isn't important.

It'll be another year at least before we see him again. In a film where he is very clearly not going to be the lead.