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Chris Evans, who has gallantly played Captain America for seven years, may finally be hanging up his shield for good.
Evans tweeted today that Avengers 4 had wrapped filming re-shoots, seemingly marking the end of his Marvel Cinematic Universe journey. Although Evans never directly said he was finished with the role, that’s how many people have interpreted it.
“It was an emotional day to say the least,” Evans said. “Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honor. To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful.”
Evans helped build the MCU, alongside Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man), Edward Norton/Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlet Johannson (Black Widow) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye). The universe has grown exponentially since Iron Man, Thor and Captain America’s debut between 2008 and 2011, but Evans has always acted as a tentpole for the expansive network of superheroes.
Originally, Evans was only supposed to play Captain America for six movies, which was a role he fulfilled in Avengers: Infinity War. He extended his contract in order to participate in Avengers 4, telling the New York Times in March that he didn’t expect to return after this current generation of Marvel’s Avengers saga came to a close.
“You want to get off the train before they push you off,” Evans told the Times.
Still, a total of eight years with Evan’s Captain American (Avengers 4 in 2019 marks eight years) is impressive. Losing him in that character’s role is something that Captain America and MCU fans-at-large are having trouble wrapping their heads around.
Thank you to man who gave us everything when we didn’t even know we needed it @ChrisEvans you did this character more justice than anyone ever could we love + will miss you cap #steverogers #thankyouchrisevans pic.twitter.com/2dKFawBhQ2
— nish (@emostcrk) October 4, 2018
I was bullied by a kid claiming to be a nazi when I was 10. I was horribly depressed until I found Captain America. And then later that same year, my dad took me for my first Marvel movie in theaters: The First Avenger.
— Joshua Erenberg (@JoshErenberg) October 4, 2018
You have shaped me into the man I am today. Thank you. ❤ pic.twitter.com/CxMhA1ZfVo
Chris Evans gave the country a character that was strong yet flawed, kind but kick ass. “A good man.” If he is truly hanging up the shield he can take pride that his Captain America was a hero to rally behind and one look up to. He was the star spangled man incarnate. https://t.co/9h3NnBdVcP
— Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) October 4, 2018
Captain America represents the best of what we can be. Chris Evans’ portrayal of him has always resonated with me. This is bittersweet. https://t.co/41bdoCQG0z
— Mike Futter (@Futterish) October 4, 2018
Others are calling Evans’ tweet a spoiler, but the actor has spoken time and time again about leaving the MCU after Avengers 4. Evans told Buzzfeed in 2014 while on set of Avengers: Age of Ultron that he would miss the films when they were done, talking explicitly about Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4.
“This has been a lot of fun, and they’re only getting more fun,” Evans said. “Especially because there’s a trust in Marvel that you’re going to make something good. It would really be lousy to be stuck in a contract knowing that you’re making shit. And I just don’t feel that way. It’s really a blessing that this kind of fell in my lap. Sometimes you don’t really feel deserving of it. But I’ll take it.”
The actor also didn’t spoil whether or not Captain America would die in Avengers 4. He did make it through Infinity War, but look, we’re all going to have to start preparing for the deaths of some of our favorite heroes.
That’s just show business, baby.
