Why Did Chris Evans Leave Marvel?
Chris Evans exited the MCU after Avengers: Endgame; there are a few reasons why he left the role and questions remain if he will return someday.
Summary
- Chris Evans retired from his role as Captain America after Avengers: Endgame, but his character still holds a special place in the hearts of fans.
- Other original Avengers like Iron Man and Black Widow have also left the MCU, raising questions about why Evans is no longer around.
- While there are rumors about Evans potentially returning to the MCU, he has expressed that he is focused on other projects and wants any potential return to be meaningful and not just a cash grab.
Chris Evans played Captain America in the MCU for over a decade, but he retired from the role following Avengers: Endgame's ending. Evans passed the shield to Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson, who will don the red, white & blue suit next in Captain America: Brave New World. However, Steve Rogers is still one of the original Avengers, and seeing his character receive a fitting closure was both a heartwarming and bittersweet moment after starring in three solo Captain America movies. While Captain America is still around, it won't be the same without Evans portraying the role.
Evans wasn't the only original Avenger who appeared to hang up their cape in the MCU. Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man also left the MCU after Endgame, while Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow retired after starring in her solo film in 2021. However, Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, and Chris Hemsworth's Thor are all still in the MCU and could have pivotal roles in the universe moving forward. If there are original Avengers still in the MCU, then it brings up questions of why Evans is no longer around.
Chris Evans' Marvel Contract Ended After Avengers: Endgame
Evans first played Captain America in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger. When he joined the MCU, he signed a six-movie contract with Marvel, locking him in as Steve Rogers for the then-foreseeable future. He returned to the role in The Avengers and led two other movies in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War. He also played the character in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Infinity War. His cameo appearances in Thor: The Dark World and Spider-Man: Homecoming didn't count as part of his contract.
The final film in his contract was 2018's Infinity War. However, he agreed to return for 2019's Endgame as it was the concluding chapter of The Infinity Saga, and it gave Rogers a fitting sendoff. He did not extend his contract for any upcoming appearances. There are rumors that Evans agreed to appear in Avengers: Secret Wars, but nothing has been confirmed.
Chris Evans Was Reluctant To Join The MCU Originally
Joining the MCU is a serious commitment for many actors. Evans, at the time, wasn't a major star, but he did have significant roles in 2010's Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Fox's Fantastic Four movies. In an interview with GQ, Evans said he was "apprehensive" about playing Captain America as he was starting to question if pursuing a career in this industry was something he wanted to keep doing.
I remember in my late 20s having a real shift in how I felt on set, how I felt promoting films: a little more anxiety, a little more uncertainty. You always end up questioning, Is this what I should be doing?... I just wasn’t sure if I was moving closer to myself or further away. And something inside me kept saying that I was getting further away—that something about this industry wasn’t healthy.
One person who convinced Evans to accept the role was Downey Jr., who kicked off the MCU in 2008. According to Vanity Fair, the Iron Man actor called Evans and told him "the fame that came with it would expand his opportunities as an actor, not constrict them." Marvel also rolled back their initial contract offer from nine films to six to make the role less intimidating. Marvel announced the casting decision in 2010, but it reportedly took years for Evans to finally commit.
Will Chris Evans Ever Return To The MCU?
There is no confirmation that Evans will return to the MCU but the chances of it happening aren't zero. If Tobey Maguire could return as Spider-Man almost 15 years after his last appearance, Evans could certainly reprise his role as Steve Rogers sometime down the line. The actor told GQ that he will "never say never" to an MCU return, but it's something he's very "precious" about.
It’s something that I am very proud of. And like I said, sometimes I can’t believe it even happened. And I wouldn’t want the black eye if it felt like a cash grab or if it didn’t live up to expectations or if it just felt like it wasn’t connected to that original thing. So, no time soon. And ultimately I really hope to just maybe act a little bit less in my life.
If Evans does return to the MCU, it would most likely be in Avengers: Secret Wars. However, there are theories he might return even earlier. Many suspect Evans may appear in Deadpool 3, but he would be reprising his Fantastic Four role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, rather than Captain America. Still, that's all speculation, but it would be an exhilarating moment to see Evans return to the MCU.
