Steve Rogers might not be out of the fight after all.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe never has any shortage of wild rumors related to it, but one particular report this week set social media ablaze with passionate discussion.
Deadline reported yesterday that Chris Evans was in superior talks to return as Steve Rogers (aka Captain America) in at the very least one Marvel movie, with the possibility of another subsequent look after that.
The news came as a shock to fans, many of whom adored the character’s moving send-off in Avengers: Endgame, where he returned to his own time to live out his days with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell).
Evans has previously said that he wouldn’t wish to danger returning to his Marvel role after going out on such a high note, but it seems he may have changed his mind (if these rumors are to be believed).
Read on for your full breakdown of the fresh developments, including Evans’ newest comments and the ways in which Captain America could return to the MCU.
Captain America return rumors: The fans respond
When word obtained out that Chris Evans may doubtlessly be returning to the MCU as Captain America, social media was flooded with fan reactions however the verdict was somewhat divided.
There were definitely a lot of Marvel followers who were thrilled and emotional on the prospect of seeing Evans wield the protect once more.
Chris Evans is coming back in #MCU as #CaptainAmerica
marvel fans :- pic.twitter.com/IDFhPIgiSF— sarcasmic_ray (@Aayush_21_) January 15, 2021
However, thousands voiced their concern over how such a return may get in the way of Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) inheriting the Captain America mantle.
An elderly Steve Rogers selected him for the job in the closing moments of Avengers: Endgame and it has been implied that this weight of responsibility will be a key focus in the upcoming Disney Plus series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.
SAY IT WITH ME : SAM WILSON IS CAPTAIN AMERICA pic.twitter.com/sRXRz97Zsb
— Kam saw wandavision ᱬ (@deathlyizzy) January 14, 2021
How could Captain America return to the MCU?
Of course, Marvel fans may have their cake and eat it too as there are two ways in which Evans may return as Steve Rogers without undermining Sam Wilson’s promotion to being the brand new Captain America.
One of the most prominent theories is that we may see a version of Steve Rogers from an alternate universe, made potential by the mind-bending shenanigans promised in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Fans have speculated that if this has been to be the case, we may see an evil model of the character akin to the controversial Secret Empire storyline, the place Steve Rogers was revealed to be a sleeper agent for HYDRA.
Alternatively, we may see a return for the aged Rogers we met at the end of Avengers: Endgame, who wouldn’t be in a physical state to battle on the frontlines however may assist with strategy and advice for the other Marvel heroes.
This too has been depicted in the comic books before, when the consequences of the Super Soldier Serum were briefly neutralized and Rogers was reworked into a very old man.
Still eager to fight the nice fight, he co-ordinated missions for the Avengers from the safety of their headquarters, while Sam Wilson acted as his official substitute on the staff.
Captain America return rumors: Chris Evans responds
All this pleasure may have been for nothing as Chris Evans responded to rumors of his return on Twitter yesterday, seemingly debunking the above theories.
His tweet merely read: “News to me.”
News to me🤷🏻♂️
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) January 14, 2021
However, fans were fast to level out that there’s a precedent for Marvel stars denying reports that later grow to be true; most recently Tatiana Maslany firmly-hit again against rumors that she had been solid as She-Hulk.
The casting was officially announced by Marvel a little over a month later.
So, while it will be unwise to rest all your hopes on this rumor being true, one may also take Evans’ rebuttal with a pinch of salt in the interim.
If producer Kevin Feige is eyeing an alternate Captain America for the Doctor Strange sequel, we might know quickly as the film is at present shooting in London.
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