Chris Evans, renowned for his portrayal of Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for nearly a decade, has repeatedly expressed his unwavering support for comic book movies – which, you know, makes sense. More interestingly, he’s also named Captain America: The Winter Soldier as his personal favorite.
Despite the superhero genre’s grandiosity and Marvel’s significant influence to its popularity, Evans noted that they often don’t receive the credit they deserve. Emphasizing the complexity of crafting these cinematic spectacles, he asserted that if making superhero films were easy, there would be a plethora of exceptional ones.
In a recent appearance at Emerald City Con 2024, Evans refrained from singling out specific films in the recent MCU failures, but he did underscore the need for acknowledgment of the exceptional quality that came before.
Chris Evans has shared his thoughts on superhero movies https://t.co/VmVXGFhLpV
— Total Film (@totalfilm) March 5, 2024
The actor lauded the 2014 MCU film Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which was directed by Anthony and Joseph Russo, as his top choice among the Marvel movies he participated in. “It’s my personal favorite Marvel movie that I was a part of. It’s not just for the movie itself but the experience,” Evans shared.
Reflecting on his journey with the character, he explained that the first Captain America film was filled with nerves and caution, playing defensively. However, “Winter Soldier” marked a transformative moment as they adopted a more proactive approach, taking risks and delving deeper into the character.
“It was one of the more satisfying experiences I’ve had in my Marvel run,” Evans expressed, praising the collaboration with the Russo Brothers, who directed the film. This shift in approach allowed the character of Captain America to be more fleshed out, contributing to the film’s success and Evans’ personal fulfillment.
Along with Robert Downey Jr. (who played Tony Stark/Iron Man), Evans exited the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the monumental Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Given the happy ending shown for Steve Rogers at the end of that epic conclusion, Evans conveyed his reluctance to immediately reprise the role.
Despite acknowledging the allure of telling more Steve Rogers stories, he expressed a cautious sentiment about potentially tarnishing the legacy of a role that meant so much to him. “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,” Evans admitted.
In the aftermath of Endgame, Steve Rogers time-traveled to the past and stayed there to have a life with Peggy Carter (portrayed by Hayley Atwell). Steve would later pass the Captain America mantle and shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Falcon.
Later on, the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier chronicled Sam’s journey, as he grappled with the weight of assuming the iconic mantle. The upcoming Marvel film, Captain America: Brave New World, will further explore Mackie and Sam Wilson’s roles as the new Captain America.
Despite persistent rumors surrounding Evans’ return as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Secret Wars, the actor’s interviews say otherwise. While the possibility of a cameo appearance remains, a regular return to the role appears unlikely. Given how there is a major shift to Marvel Studios’ slate after dropping Jonathan Majors (Kang the Conqueror) due to his legal troubles, even this might change.
Could Captain America make a grand return, or is it time for new heroes to take the spotlight? While the MCU will likely go without Chris Evans for the meantime, he recently reprised his role as Lucas Lee for the Netflix anime Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
