The MCU has really done something remarkable in these last 10 years. It has made people fall in love with the Superhero genre, and it has given Hollywood some real talent by allowing actors to become huge while establishing itself.
Names like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth are all household names now since these actors are associated with our favorite characters, and MCU is the one that had a big hand in making them huge! Now, these actors will have exhausted their contracts after Avengers 4. Chris Evans aka Captain America had been teasing departure from MCU in his interviews. Here is what he said:
“I had six films in my Marvel contract, so I could have said after the third Avengers I was done, but they wanted to make the third and fourth Avengers films as a two-parter, They said they had so many other characters to fit in, Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, and couldn’t get them all into one movie. I came back because it made sense. It’s going to wrap everything up.”
“It’s really not up to me. My contract is up. I’m not going to sit here and say ‘No more.’ I think Hugh Jackman has made 47 Wolverine movies, and they somehow keep getting better. It’s a character I love, and it’s a factory that really knows what they’re doing. The system is sound, over there. They make great movies. If they weren’t kicking out quality, I’d have a different opinion. But, everything Marvel does seems to be cinema gold. And like I said, I love the character. The only reason it would end is because my contract is up”.
He added:
“After Avengers 4, my contract is done. Talk to Marvel. If we engage further, I’d be open to it. I love the character. It’s almost like high school. You certainly always look to senior year, and then, all of a sudden, senior year happens and you’re like, ‘I don’t know if I’m ready to go.’ It’s tough thinking about not playing the guy.”
Now he has confirmed that he will not be returning to the MCU in any way after Avengers 4, so what lies ahead for the MCU when he is finally gone?
Captain America is a certain symbol of righteousness, and just like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans has made Captain America his trademark. The moment one thinks of Cap, the thought would not go any further than Chris Evans’ version of Captain America. He is totally irreplaceable and does come in the league of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and RDJ’s Iron Man. But still, the MCU has to move forward.
Till now, Iron Man, Cap, and Thor have been the three pillars of establishment in the MCU, and since the MCU has strong legs now, they can afford to go on without these three big guns as well. But their names and franchises have to be continued somehow, and the character of Captain America is the easiest to be continued further since the title of Captain America is a mantle that can be forwarded to some other character.
So, who will be the one that gets this mantle to carry it forward? The first name that comes to everyone’s minds to answer this question would surely be Bucky Barnes. The MCU has been teasing him to take up the mantle of Captain America in the future ever since his first appearance. Sebastian Stan has many movies left on his contract, so if he does survive the two Avengers movies, he could surely take up the mantle. But Marvel may have some other plans laid up for him as he has a new codename, the “White Wolf” which the viewers thought would be an Easter Egg, but it actually stuck and will be continued in the next 2 movies.
So, this brings us to Sam Wilson, who does whatever Captain America does, just slower. So, he could be the one to become the new Captain America and join the new Avengers, and this would allow Bucky and him to get a settled future in the MCU, and their individual characters will get a chance to be explored. Both these individuals have the capability to even carry the Captain America franchise further with a solo or a team up movie, or they could join the New Avengers as Cap and The White Wolf if they do end up surviving Avengers 4.
Also, the mantle would only transfer if Steve Rogers were to die in Avengers 4. Since Chris Evans has confirmed his exit, there are high chances that Rogers would end up sacrificing himself in Avengers 4, as this would give his character the perfect exit on a high note, and it will allow other characters to take the MCU ahead.
Since the big 3 are probably going to be out, it would allow new leadership to be formed and new characters be developed. After fans get familiar with Captain Marvel, she could be the new leader of the leftover Avengers and Black Panther could sort of play second fiddle in the Leadership of the new team, just like Captain America and Iron Man did.
This would be the right kind of push that these characters and the MCU would need post-Avengers 4, as Phase 4 will be a new leaf for Marvel, and have new characters lead from the front will allow Marvel to keep things really interesting and new for the next 10 years or so.
Honestly, we all would love it if RDJ, Chris Evans, and Hemsworth, all three could stay and reprise their roles forever, but all good things must come to an end, and this would be the perfect time to move on since no one can physically do it forever. The only one who may still continue is Chris Hemsworth as Marvel is thinking of Thor 4 in future phases.
Hopefully, everything would turn out just fine after Avengers 4. But before we feel sad about letting our favorite superheroes bid adieu, we will see them all in the upcoming Avengers Infinity War.
Cap and Tony have to bury their differences that cropped up in Civil War and once again fight like a team just like old days when they defeated Loki and Ultron. Things won’t be the same this time but it’s their responsibility as Earth’s last defense to put their bodies on the line to save mankind from an evil tyrant ‘Thanos’. This time the enemy is the most terrifying and formidable, someone who will stop at nothing in his quest for collecting all the six Infinity stones and becoming the most powerful cosmic creature in the universe.
Here is the official synopsis for the movie released by Marvel studios:
“As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain”.
“An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe”.
“Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet — the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment”.
Don’t Miss: Marvel Comics Update: Thor Dies A Hero’s Death
