MCU Theory: Chris Evans Returns To Pick The New Captain America

With rumors abounding of Chris Evans’s return to the MCU as Captain America, it’s possible he could reprise the role of Steve Rogers specifically to choose his successor. Though he left the iconic shield with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), a.k.a. Falcon, it’s unclear whether or not his friend will actually step into the role of Captain America. As The Falcon and Winter Soldier approaches its Disney+ debut, the future of the Captain America name could go several different ways.

As one of the original Avengers of Phase 1, Evans’s Cap remained one of the MCU’s key players throughout the entirety of the Infinity Saga. He received a beautiful cap (no pun intended) to his arc at the end of Avengers: Endgame, traveling back in time to spend the rest of his life with Agent Peggy Carter. That seemed to be the end of Evans’ version of Rogers on screen, but now it looks like he could return if the rumors are to be believed.

If he does come back, it could be so that Rogers can help pick the new Captain America. The hero’s name is bigger than one man in the Marvel universe – it’s symbolic of what Steve and the Avengers have stood for. Since Sam seems hesitant to pick up the shield himself (confirmed by Anthony Mackie) and there are other candidates available, a return from the MCU's original Captain America could help properly pass the mantle to a new hero.

Everything We Know About Chris Evans’s Captain America Return

The reports of Chris Evans’ potential return as Captain America came from Deadline, which claimed the actor was in talks to return for a future MCU project with the open possibility of a second appearance later on. According to the report, Disney and Evans were either close to reaching a deal or had already agreed to one. Evans seemed to respond to the rumors with a tweet that simply read “News to me” with a shrugging emoji, though that didn’t convince fans there wasn’t credence to the alleged deal.

The report has yet to be officially confirmed, leaving any other details subject to conjecture. That means the reprisal could be anything from a flashback appearance, to an alternate timeline, to a cameo from old Steve Rogers. Many theories have been tossed around in recent weeks since the report broke, with many possibilities on the table if the deal pans out. Given that Cap’s core story has already been told in the Infinity Saga, any future appearances would likely be of the smaller sort. Flashbacks are certainly an option, but a brief reprisal of old Steve Rogers would fit nicely with the MCU’s continued stories for Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes.

MCU Phase 4 Is About Passing The Torch

MCU Phase 4 gives original Avengers their own teams

In the wake of Thanos's snap and the ensuing Time Heist, Marvel is back to a less centralized structure for the MCU Phase 4. In many ways, the new era seems to be a time of passing the torch, both narratively and in the franchise. Former supporting characters like Vision, Scarlet Witch, Falcon, Bucky and Loki are getting their own shows. New characters like Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk and Moon Knight are approaching on the horizon. And many of the series’ most established characters are bringing in sidekicks or successors to continue their stories, like Kate Bishop in Hawkeye and Jane Foster in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Captain America already had a pass-the-torch moment at the end of Endgame, but it was meant as much as a farewell to his character than a welcome moment for the next in line. Bucky and Sam will both be trying to carry on their friend’s legacy as two of the heroes of tomorrow – a major theme of their upcoming show – but neither of them will have donned the title or the symbol of Captain America by the time The Falcon and Winter Soldier begins. If Marvel has any plans to continue the legend of Cap into their future plans, Steve should return to help select and guide his direct successor in a more concrete way than his Endgame finale.

Other Captain Americas In The Comics

In the Marvel comics, many different characters have taken on the Captain America name and outfit. Steve Rogers is obviously the most famous and enduring, but both Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes have donned Captain America's mantle in recent comic runs. The MCU is clearly taking those stories as inspiration for The Falcon and Winter Soldier, but it’s unclear which hero will take up the shield as their own. Anthony Mackie has shot down assumptions that Falcon becomes Captain America in the upcoming series, which more likely will focus on both men grappling with Steve Rogers’s legacy and how they both carry its burden.

Chris Evans Can Return To Pick The New Captain America

Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes holding Captain America's shield

If either Winter Soldier or Falcon is to properly become Captain America, they’ll need a little push and extra vote of confidence. The only man who can give that to them is Steve Rogers himself, and it would be the perfect way to bring Chris Evans’ version of the character back to the MCU, even if only briefly. Of course, since The Falcon and Winter Soldier is almost here, and the report of Evans’s deal with Disney has only just come out, he might not be showing up the miniseries.

Does that mean he can’t play the role of kingmaker for the next Captain America? Absolutely not. There’s no guarantee that either Sam or Bucky will walk away knighted with the shield at the end of their handful of episodes together, especially since their story largely seems to be about carrying Steve Rogers' legacy together. There are plenty more opportunities for Evans to come back and offer some guidance to the next generation in Armor Wars, Secret Invasion, or whatever the next big crossover movie is. Whatever shape his return takes, it should be fun for fans to get another look at Evans’ beloved turn as Captain America.

Next: Netflix Answers What The MCU Can't: What If Falcon Were A Super Soldier?