Chris Evans played Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for almost a decade—from 2011 to 2019. From leading films to guest appearances to lending his voice, Evans has appeared in 11 MCU films.
It's no secret that fans were surprised and upset when Evans announced he was hanging up his shield. It was shocking, considering the Captain America-based movies made so much money.
Captain America: The First Avenger grossed 370.6 million, Captain America: The Winter Solider grossed $714 million worldwide, and Captain America: Civil War grossed 1.153 billion.
So, when the end of Avengers: Endgame came, and, spoiler warning, Cap passed his shield to Sam Wilson—The Falcon—played by Anthony Mackie, fans were shocked.
In the past, Evans has said he has no plans to return, but does he regret leaving the character?
Does Chris Evans Regret Leaving His Role as Captain America?
While Evans played the role for so long, he said parts were tedious, but he misses parts because he deeply loves the character. Evans, while on a press tour for Pixars Lightyear, said:
"You know, it's different. It's different. For ten years, you always have a movie around the corner. For ten years- it's always, you finish one, and your life is scheduled by, 'Okay, six months, we have press. Six more months, we start up on the next movie.' To kind of have open waters, there's parts of it that are nice, and there are parts of it that I really, really miss because it was a role that meant a lot to me. And I love those people, and, you know, it'll be the best ten years of my professional life without any question forever."
Evans turned down the role multiple times before finally accepting after some persuasion from his mom, and Robert Downey Jr., who was Iron Man in the MCU.
Evans says he has no regrets as Captain America "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."
He continued, "However they want to proceed after Avengers 4, it's really up to them. I walk away with no regrets and endlessly thankful."
But would the actor ever reprise his MCU role?
Why Chris Evans Says Coming Back Doesn't Feel "Quite Right"
While appearing at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2023, Evans was asked about his return to the MCU, despite passing the torch to Anthony Mackie. He said he believes Steve Rogers has more stories to tell, but he admits to being "precious" about going back.
"God, it's tough. Look, I love that role deeply; it means so much to me. Do I think there's more Steve Rogers stories to tell? Sure, but at the same time, I'm very, very precious about it," he said.
He continued, "It's like this little shiny thing that I have that I love so much, and I just don't want to mess up in any way, and I was a part of something that was so special for the special period of time and in a way, it really landed so well."
Evans made a point to say how much he loves the character, but returning to the role doesn't feel quite right: "As much as I'm connected to that role and love telling those stories and working with those people," he said, "it doesn't quite feel right, right now."
While Evans may not be playing Steve Rogers' Captain America, but the character of Cap still exists in the MCU. Anthony Mackie, who was previously The Falcon (Sam Wilson) in the MCU, has been given the shield to be the new Captain America.
How does Chris Evans feel about that?
How Does Chris Evans Feel About Anthony Mackie As Captain America?
When first asked about how he felt about leaving the role and passing the character off—before any announcements, Evans said:
"I'd be lying if I said it 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."
When the announcement came of Evans MCU retirement and Mackie taking the mantle, many fans were shocked, sad, and excited about the change. It's no secret a big part of the criticism had to do with race, but when The Hollywood Reporter tweeted about the uncertainty of whether Evans will return or not, he tweeted: "Sam Wilson is Captain America."
Evans also told Cheddar News: "Anthony Mackie is Captain America. That's the truth." So it seems like Mackie has Evans' stamp of approval.
When asked if he shed any tears while watching Mackie play Captain America in The Falcon and The Winter Solider, Evans stated: "No one better to do it. He does it justice. I'm so proud of him. I can't wait to see what they do in the future with it, but if there's any tear shed, it's just for the sweet memories I had."
