Captain America Lifting Mjolnir Made Chris Evans Feel Like A Kid Again

Chris Evans looks back at Captain America's best moment in Avengers: Endgame. As Marvel Studios wrapped up the Infinity Saga, the Joe and Anthony Russo-directed 2019 film served as the swan song for some of those founding heroes, including Steve Rogers.

As the second anniversary of Endgame is slowly approaching and Evans is looking back at his experience being part of the iconic film and the MCU in general. The actor debuted as Steve Rogers in the MCU in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America became a staple in the franchise. Interestingly, Evans didn't originally want the role, turning it down multiple times despite Marvel Studios making it clear that they only wanted him. Eventually, he signed up for the job, and thankfully he did because he's one of the best parts of the franchise in its first decade.

Endgame had a lot of memorable moments and that's all intentional as the Russos wanted a movie that serves as a love letter to those who have been with the franchise since its inception in 2008. Some of those greatest bits involved Captain America, including the Super Soldier finally wielding the Mjölnir after initially teasing it a few years prior in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Evans recalls to Empire what it was like watching that scene unfold for the first time on the big screen and says that while he knew full well that it was coming, he still got emotional.

"The first time I saw Endgame was at the premiere. Normally I see the films I work on well in advance, and I rarely sit through premieres (too much anxiety). But being the last installment of a ten-year journey, I wanted to experience this final film the same way the audience would. When Cap lifts Mjölnir, our theater went absolutely berserk. Even though I knew the moment was coming, I still got emotional. In the following weeks, friends and family would send me clips from theaters around the world losing their collective s*** at this moment. Seeing those reactions, and knowing that I was lucky enough to be a part of those memories for those people, made me feel a sense of pride and gratitude that I'll never be able to properly express. In those moments I'm not an actor, or even an adult; I'm a little kid again completely captivated by the power and magic that movies can wield. Damn it... I'm getting choked up."

It's worth noting that there's still an ongoing debate regarding Captain America's ability to wield the Mjölnir. The Russos claim that he's always been worthy of it, but opted not to lift it in Age of Ultron to spare Thor the potential humiliation. Meanwhile, Endgame writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely say that Steve wasn't worthy then because he was still covering up for Bucky killing Tony Stark's parents. Whatever the case may be doesn't really matter; it doesn't diminish the excitement everyone felt watching him finally using the hammer — even the God of Thunder was ecstatic about it. Among the other memorable Captain America moments in Endgame include him fighting his 2012 self during the time heist, coming back as Old Man Steve Rogers, and of course, the dance with Peggy Carter at the very end.

Now, recent reports claim that Marvel Studios is currently in talks with Evans to return to the MCU as Steve Rogers for a project or two. The actor has seemingly denied having knowledge about this and Kevin Feige and his team remain mum about it so it's difficult to say if there's any truth to it at this point. Nonetheless, this is an exciting prospect for everyone who already wants Captain America back in the franchise. Amidst all this, however, Marvel Studios should be very careful with how they handle his potential return so as not to cheapen Steve's heartfelt ending in Avengers: Endgame.

More: What Captain America's Return Means For Falcon & The Winter Soldier

Source: Empire