Avengers: Age of Ultron is very much the next major mile marker on Marvel’s cinematic calendar. Not only does it represent the pinnacle of stage 2 and years upon years of groundwork, it also signals the dawn of the studio’s next chapter on the silver screen — a chapter that will certainly entail an array of pressing questions.
Chief among those questions — off camera, at least — is the issue of actor contracts, with the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson and Captain America himself, Chris Evans, all entering the twilight years of their respective deals. So, the studio has some decisions to make (or rather, reveal) that will no doubt shape the future of the MCU as a whole.
And while the former two stars have served as cinematic foundations upon which Marvel has built its grand superhero-centric plan, it’s Chris Evans who has become the centre of attention of late after the ambiguous ending of Captain America: The Winter Solider. Plus, with reports suggesting the actor is prepared to hang up the famous shield in order to pursue a career in directing, many have assumed that his departure is now inevitable
However, speaking with MTV, Evans passionately responded to that exact question:
“Who’s handing off the shield? Don’t take my job from me prematurely dude! I’m sure it’ll happen at some point, all good things have to come to an end. But I’m really happy playing the character.”
While it doesn’t exactly confirm a Captain America 4, 5 and 6, the actor is clearly happy with playing Steve Rogers for the foreseeable future, even though it was hinted that the famous shield could well be passed to either Bucky of Anthony Mackie’s Falco.
That being said, Evans also spoke to Entertainment Weekly during his time at Toronto — promoting Before We Go, his directorial debut — where he changed his tune ever so slightly, thereby hinting that he his ready seek other projects beyond the star-spangled guise.
“The only thing I’m pursuing now are directing projects. Who knows, in five, 10 years I may miss acting and want to do that, but for now, I really, really like directing, and I’d love to keep doing it.”
What do you think, though? Are Chris Evans’ days as Captain America numbered?