Following the release of Avengers: Endgame, fans were left unsure of the fate of Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with many hoping that his survival could mean Chris Evans would reprise the role in the future. While Evans does think there are more stories to tell with Steve Rogers, he doesn’t feel like the time is right for his return.
The last we heard of Steve Rogers in the MCU was at the end of Avengers: Endgame where, after returning all of the Infinity Stones to their proper places in the timeline, Captain America was finally able to get one last dance with Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter and grow old in his own time. While a divisive ending among fans, the decision allowed Evans to give up the mantle of Cap to Anthony Mackie, who previously played his ally Sam Wilson.
Many fans hoped that Chris Evans would reprise his role in the show Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which saw Sam Wilson grappling with the weight of the Captain America mantle. While he was only mentioned in passing during the show, the lack of a confirmation of his death made fans wonder if he would return in the upcoming Marvel Studios movie Captain America: New World Order. In response to this speculation, Evans has said that there might be a chance for a return, just not anytime soon:
“It’s tough. I love that role deeply. It means so much to me,” Evans told The Wrap . “And I mean, do I think there’s more Steve Rogers stories to tell? Sure. But at the same time, I’m very, very precious with it. It’s like this little shiny thing that I have that I love so much, and I just don’t want to mess up in any way, and I was a part of something that was so special for the special period of time and in a way it really landed so well. And you know, I don’t know. As much as I’m connected to that role, and love telling those stories, and working with those people, it doesn’t quite feel right right now.”
While his return may not feel right now, fans may see Evans return as Steve Rogers sooner than they may think. Avengers: Secret Wars is set to bring the Multiverse crashing down on the MCU, with the sixth Avengers project set to be the biggest movie yet in the franchise. One would be hard-pressed to find a better time to return than for the capstone of the Multiverse Saga, where truly anything could happen. However, only time will tell when or if Evans will return to the role.
What to expect from the Captain America sequel
Details regarding the plot of Captain America: New World Order are being kept under wraps. Thunderbolt Ross (Harrison Ford) and The Leader (Tim Blake Nelson) are expected to serve as the main villains of the movie, which begins production this Spring for a May 2024 release.
Julius Onah is directing Captain America: New World Order, working a script by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson. The cast of the movie also includes Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley and Shira Haas as Sabra, with Xosha Roquemore on board in an undisclosed role.
Captain America: New World Order is currently slated to hit theaters on May 3, 2024. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!