Chris Evans might not be done as Captain America after all

It has long been anticipated that once they call a wrap on ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and its as-yet untitled sequel (currently shooting back-to-back with Joe and Anthony Russo directing), Chris Evans would be hanging up the mask and shield of Captain America – but we might want to hold our horses there.

Despite having long hinted at a desire to step back from acting in favour of directing once his Marvel contract reaches its conclusion with the third and fourth ‘Avengers’ movies, the 35-year old actor would appear to have had a change of heart – or, at least, is keeping his options open.

Asked whether he will return as Steve Rogers beyond the upcoming two-volume ‘Avengers’ epic, Evans tells Collider, “It’s really not up to me. My contract is up. I’m not going to sit here and say, ‘No more.’

“I think Hugh Jackman has made 47 Wolverine movies, and they somehow keep getting better. [Captain America]’s a character I love, and [Marvel]’s a factory that really knows what they’re doing. The system is sound, over there. They make great movies. If they weren’t kicking out quality, I’d have a different opinion. But, everything Marvel does seems to be cinema gold. And like I said, I love the character.

“The only reason it would end is ‘cause my contract is up. After ‘Avengers 4,’ my contract is done. Talk to Marvel. If we engage further, I’d be open to it. I love the character. It’s almost like high school. You certainly always look to senior year, and then, all of a sudden, senior year happens and you’re like, ‘I don’t know if I’m ready to go.’ It’s tough thinking about not playing the guy.”

Fans will also find it tough to imagine the Marvel Cinematic Universe without Evans as Cap. By the time the fourth ‘Avengers’ lands in 2019, the Boston-born star will have played the role seven times (or eight, if we count his very brief cameo in ‘Thor: The Dark World’).

Given that in the comics Steve Rogers has at different points been killed off and the mantle of Captain America has been passed on to other characters, it has long been speculated that either Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier or Anthony Mackie’s Falcon might become the next Cap – but perhaps this wasn’t so inevitable as some had thought.

Marvel’s recent history has shown they’re not bad at renegotiating contracts with their stars, as Robert Downey Jr’s contract was expanded to include roles in last year’s ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and the upcoming ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’

Whatever happens, Evans will be back as Cap in ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ set to hit UK cinemas on 27 April 2018.

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