Chris Evans responds to rumors about returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain America. After joining the MCU in 2011, Evans had an incredibly successful run as Captain America in less than a decade. He helped make Steve Rogers one of the franchise's biggest characters, but his story effectively came to an end in 2019's Avengers: Endgame. The movie saw Captain America return the Infinity Stones and live a full life with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) in another timeline before returning to the present day to pass the mantle to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
Despite the appearance of old Steve Rogers at the end of Avengers: Endgame and Sam Wilson becoming Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, there have still been rumors that Evans' days of being in the MCU are not over. This goes back to 2018 when the Russo Brothers said he isn't done with the MCU and that audiences would soon find out what that means. Fast forward to early 2021 and reports surfaced that Evans was in negotiations to play Captain America again in a future MCU project, but not Captain America 4. Fans have been left wondering if and when Evans' MCU return will transpire ever since.
As part of the promotional tour for Lightyear, Evans spoke to Comicbook about the Pixar movie. The interview also included a question about whether or not he's returning as Captain America in the MCU. The actor gave an earnest response to the rumors, pointing out how scary it would be for him to return to the role and potentially ruin an ending for a role he greatly appreciates. Evans doesn't completely rule out a return as Captain America, though, but he suggests it would take the perfect story.
I don't want to disappoint anybody but it's tough to... It was such a good run and I'm so happy with it. It's so precious to me. It would have to be perfect. It just would be scary to rattle something that is, again, so, so dear to me. That role means so much to me. So, to revisit it, it would be a tall order.
It is not surprising to hear Evans has some reservations about returning as Captain America in some form. He knows that fans would like to see more of him in the role, but he also dedicated nearly a decade of his life to playing Captain America. He's only now had the time to pursue other projects, such as Knives Out, Lightyear, and The Gray Man. Evans also is aware of how well Avengers: Endgame wrapped up Captain America's story and that returning could hurt it in some fashion.
Ultimately, only time will tell whether or not Evans returns as Captain America. There is plenty of interest in seeing the story of Captain America returning the Infinity Stones or what life was like with Peggy Carter. Meanwhile, many also would like to see Evans play Hydra Cap and put a villainous twist on his iconic character. Evans will certainly have some say in making any of these stories a reality, so he could continue holding out for the right return opportunity. But with the multiverse now open and a Secret Wars movie looking inevitable, it would be quite surprising if Evans doesn't play Captain America again in the MCU eventually.
Source: Comicbook
