Well, it looks as though Steve Rogers is hanging up his shield in the MCU for good. In a recent piece in The New York Times, Chris Evans talks about retiring from the role as the first avenger after Avengers 4, which is set to hit theaters next year.
When discussing his future in the franchise, Evans sounded confident that his time in the MCU was coming to a close. “You want to get off the train before they push you off,” he said. Avengers: Infinity War and the upcoming Avengers 4 will be the last two Marvel films that he is under contract for. After that, he does not plan on re-signing.
Instead, he wishes to pursue theater. During filming for Infinity War, Chris Evans signed on for Lobby Hero, a play written by Kenneth Lonergan. The play, which also stars Michael Cera, Brian Tyree Henry and Bel Powley, has recently opened on Broadway in the newly restored Hayes Theater. The plot centers around four New Yorkers investigating a murder in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building.
Chris Evans departure from the role of Captain America leaves the MCU with a few decisions as to how they will handle his character going forward. It is unlikely that Steve Rogers will be played by a different actor. Evans has played the role since 2011 and has become synonymous with the patriotic superhero.
The most likely scenario is either retirement – or death. Fans of the comic books know that the Winter Soldier, aka Bucky Barnes, took over the mantle as Captain America after Steve Rogers’s death. Since the MCU has already established Barnes in the films, played by Sebastian Stan, it is likely that he’ll do the same.
In the meantime, fans will just have to enjoy the last few moments we’ll have with Evans in the MCU, starting with Avengers: Infinity War, which hits theaters April 27, 2018.
