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One Scene Seriously Disrespects Chris Evans’ Captain America Legacy

One Scene Seriously Disrespects Chris Evans’ Captain America Legacy

The Lightning* trailer did a lot of positive things to build excitement for the film, which is set to be released in May 2025. Starring Marvel’s own versions of their resurrected supervillains, Lightning* It will be directed by names like Bucky Barnes and John Walker. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Florence Pugh and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Thunderbolts* | Source: Marvel Studios

But one scene in particular from the latest trailer looks set to irritate fans, as it could be interpreted as an insult to Steve Rogers/Captain America, who is portrayed so perfectly by Chris Evans in the MCU. The scene, which features a fight between Yelena Belova and John Walker, has raised eyebrows due to its depiction of the U.S. Agent’s abilities, or lack thereof.

Yelena Belova has no right to defend herself against US agent

Florence Pugh Black Widow / Walt Disney Studios

In a moment that undermines the long-established power of the Super Soldier Serum (SSS), U.S. Agent is shown trying to defend himself against Yelena, a skilled but unenhanced assassin. This could easily be seen as an insult to the legacy of the original Captain America, Steve Rogers, and a misrepresentation of the power of the serum that made him a hero.

Yelena Belova, portrayed by Florence PughShe has quickly become a fan-favorite character in the MCU. However, it is important to note that Yelena is neither a super soldier nor does she have any advanced abilities. She is a highly trained Black Widow agent with expert fighting skills and tactical knowledge, but she is still a human operating within her natural limitations.

Inside Lightning* In the trailer, we see Yelena fighting on her own against John Walker, who has been injected with the Super Soldier Serum. Given the serum’s ability to enhance a person to “peak human physical condition,” it’s hard to believe that someone like Yelena, who lacks enhancements, could defeat or even match U.S. Agent in a direct confrontation.

The sheer brute strength, durability, and agility granted by the serum should have ensured Walker’s victory, making the scene feel like a deliberate injustice to the serum’s legacy and, by extension, Steve Rogers.

Of course, this scene may not be a good start at all, and the movie itself may prove that notion wrong.

The Super Soldier Serum has a long-standing legacy in the MCU

Marvel’s Thunderbolts / Walt Disney Studios

The Super Soldier Serum has long been a symbol of physical superiority in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Characters who have taken the serum (such as Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes, and John Walker) have been shown to have strength, agility, and durability far beyond the average human. Steve Rogers, in particular, is revered for his incredible physical prowess, allowing him to take on formidable opponents such as Thanos and emerge victorious in seemingly impossible battles.

But this new depiction of U.S. Agent battling Yelena disrupts that narrative. The fact that Walker, who carries the same serum in his veins as Rogers, couldn’t easily defeat an unenhanced human feels like a betrayal of the essence of the serum.

Of course, the trailer could be hiding a bunch of details. Yelena is finally Black widow, He may have gone through a journey of his own that led to him being stronger than fans remember, which could explain why he was able to stand his own against John Walker.

Lightning* It will be released in theaters on May 2, 2025.