The Falcon and the Winter Soldier's Sharon Carter could be well-placed as a sleeper candidate for the next Captain America. Though she has been re-introduced as a deeply disillusioned American expat and fugitive, given the discussion of both powers and worthiness, it's not out of the question. Sharon is the niece of Peggy Carter and received the same physical training that Rogers did from her aunt. While Sharon hasn't received a dose of Super Soldier Serum, she is at least as physically capable as John Walker before his serum dose and is a skilled combatant with a heroic instinct demonstrated in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and in Captain America: Civil War.
Although Sharon is currently persona non grata within the United States due to her assistance of Captain America and his fellow fugitive heroes in Civil War, there is nothing to indicate that this should exclude her from being considered for the role. Sharon Carter may even be overpowered as a heroic candidate, considering her ability to re-establish herself as a prominent stolen art dealer in Madripoor after a supposed five-year absence; if she was truly affected by the Blip, her current operation was either built or recovered in less than six months. This may also speak to her not being as cut off from government ties as indicated - she could conceivably be working a deep cover position.
While it is possible that Sharon may not be interested in taking on a prominent role as Captain America considering her stated antipathy toward the country that hung her out to dry, this could also be an asset. The U.S. government's dealings with superheroes in general and Captain America, in particular, have been less than stellar. A Captain America willing to hold the U.S. government to account could help to remedy this issue of appearances. Because Sharon Carter did not receive a pardon, such a relationship would likely be fraught, but her long history of public service suggests that she believes in the ideals of the United States, if not its government's choices or methods.
While Sharon Carter is unquestionably capable as a combatant as well as an agent of espionage, she has considerable material resources and social clout in Madripoor that should have at least diminished in her alleged five-year absence. However well established she may have been, the fact that she was a subject of Endgame's Blip would mean that contacts would have become less useful, resources and turf would have been reclaimed, and even stolen art could have been discovered and taken. Since one of the major themes of Falcon and Winter Soldier is the impact from both the vanishing and then the return of billions, leading to anarchy and systemic problems, there is no reason that Sharon would not have been similarly affected.
While this could just be a testament to Sharon's own abilities, having an apparently burned agent of the CIA in a prime social position in Madripoor could also be of value to several international organizations. It is possible that one of the reasons Sharon did not receive a post-Civil War pardon was that she was more valuable apparently outside of the system. If so, this indicates a substantial bolus of trust, especially given the affluence her new position affords her. Sharon has been willing to work for the US government in relation to superheroes before, giving her a potential inside track as Captain America.
Although there is a great deal of emphasis on only having a singular Captain America - and substantial hints that Sam Wilson should take the mantle - a recent storyline from Marvel Comics has offered the idea of there being several at once. The comics story explores the idea that the American identity has many different aspects, and that it could take multiple people to encompass the ideals of Captain America. With that in mind, it is possible that Sam Wilson and Sharon Carter - as well as a few worthy others - could take up the Captain America mantle. The title, after all, is as individual as the people who wear it.
As well as being a symbol for America's diversity, this broadening of the definition of "Captain America" (or Captains America, in the plural) allows for mutual support and cooperation. While Steve Rogers was definitely the symbol that America needed during the Second World War, intersectional cooperation is a major theme of the post-Blip MCU. Some of the "Team Captain America" members might not use a shield especially since Sharon Carter's individual combat style does not favor one. Embracing this comic storyline would be a bold step forward that would enhance, rather than diminish, the role of Captain America.
Although Peggy Carter was a British attaché in Captain America: The First Avenger, an episode of the upcoming Marvel show What If...? suggests a possible world in which Peggy Carter became Captain Britain as the test subject in the place of Steve Rogers. Along with being an interesting suggestion for a hypothetical scenario in the show, it at least explores the possibility of a woman being the figurehead Super Soldier in the Marvel universe. Sharon Carter, as the heir to Peggy Carter's legacy as a spy and liaison to Captain America, could realize this possibility. While Peggy Carter was better named as Captain Britain given her nationality, Sharon's American citizenship would make her eligible for the role.
There have also been female characters in a Captain America adjacent role in the comics. Shannon Carter, a cousin to Sharon and another niece of Peggy, took on the role of "American Dream" in an alternate universe. Although not empowered with any Super Soldier powers, Shannon was able to use an arsenal of advanced tools and weapons to stand for the same principles and beliefs as Steve Rogers. Given the similarity of the characters' names, Marvel might decide to fold the characters together in the MCU to avoid confusion - giving them an additional star-spangled hero, and giving Sharon a chance at the role.
Whether Sharon Carter is undercover to defeat the Power Broker, actually alienated from the U.S. but still on their radar, or trying to get by as well as anyone else in the post-Blip MCU, she is still an excellent candidate for Captain America. She may not consider a leading role in superhero patriotism to be of interest to her, but when trouble has called in the past, the Carters have always answered. Only time will tell whether The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will explore the idea of having Sharon Carter as the new Cap, one of many, or part of the Captain America team.
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