The MCU is dropping the Superhero Registration Act and using something called the Sokovia Accords.
[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he events that transpired during Marvel’s Civil War had repercussions that were felt throughout the Marvel universe. As we all know the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Marvel Universe are two very different realms, with different story arcs and different outcomes. Because of this, and also due to the events that have taken place in the MCU, Captain America: Civil War is not about the Superhero Registration Act.
In Marvel’s Civil War fighting erupts between superheroes, pitting friends against friends, due to the recently released Superhero Registration Act. The act, passed by the American government, calls for all superheroes to reveal their secret identities to the public and be put into a database for all to see. Seeing the potentially dangerous outcomes of this act, Captain America and others go underground fighting the American government and superheroes like Tony Stark.
Unfortunately, and I say unfortunately because I believe the comic story line of Marvel’s Civil War could be a great movie, the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it can’t do this. Why? Because nearly everybody, with the exception of Spider-Man and Daredevil, do not hide their identity. The events that took place in New York City was on live television and everyone who was there/watching the news saw Black Widow, Captain America, Bruce Banner, etc. Plus, throughout the Iron Man films Tony Stark hasn’t really gone to great lengths to conceal his identity or where he lives. So because of this there isn’t a strong enough foundation to lay the ground work for the Superhero Registration Act.
Fortunately, thanks to Avengers: Age of Ultron, we have a story arc that Marvel can use to their own benefit for Captain America: Civil War. With the crisis that took place in Sokovia, many people have a growing concern for who the superheroes will answer to when civilian casualties (and definitely destruction of property) happen. It is from this question and the battle that took place between the Avengers and Ultron in Sokovia that the Sokovia Accords are written.
What are the Sokovia Accords? No idea, couldn’t tell you. But there are subtle clues that have pointed to what these accords are and what they entail thanks to Ant-Man easter eggs. Not only that, but during the after credit scene at the end of the movie when Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers find Bucky Barnes, Sam asks Steve if they could go to Tony Stark for help. Steve replies that they can’t due to “the Accords”. Take that how you see it, but lets not forget what Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told us last fall regarding Captain America: Civil War:
“I don’t want to give too much away, but needless to say, the generalities of the act are the same. Something happens, perhaps it’s cumulative for things that have happened though all of the movies leading up to this point. It has made the governments of the world say “we need to have some oversight of these guys. They need to report to somebody. So it becomes more… it falls under that umbrella, rather than “you have to take off your mask.” It’s not about the secret identity thing, as much as it is about, overall, who reports to who, and who can agree to oversight committee. Because as of now, in Avengers 2, there is no more security council, there is no SHIELD, obviously. Stark is paying for it, Captain America is running it, and things occur that will make governments begin to question.”
How do you feel about Captain America: Civil War using the Sokovia Accords instead of the Superhero Registration Act? Let us know in the comments below!
Captain America: Civil War hits theaters May 6th, 2016.
