Originally published April 8, 2017. Updated April 16, 2018.
With Chris Evans’ Marvel contract up following the currently-in-production Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4, there’s a lot of speculation surrounding his future (or lack of) as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Firstly, it was reported that Evans had decided to move on from the role in order to explore other opportunities, including his directing ambitions, before the actor then stated that he’s open to extending his stay in the MCU by signing a new contract.
Now, speaking to USA Today, Evans has once again turned his eye to the future, placing the ball firmly in Marvel’s court:
“I’d be lying if I said [moving on] wouldn’t be hard for me. But the passing of time and the passing of torches is part of the experience. Nothing lasts forever. There’s a beauty in that departure, even if it can be sad at times. It’s also joyful. I’ve had a great run. Superheroes are reinventable entities, like Batman or even James Bond. These movies find new incarnations and new ways to tell the story. I am all for it. However they want to proceed after Avengers 4, it’s really up to them. I walk away with no regrets and endlessly thankful.”
Given that Evans is under contract until 2019’s Avengers 4 – assuming of course that he makes it out of Infinity War alive – it’s probably going to be a while before we hear anything definitive from either side.
