‘Captain America’ Star Chris Evans is Ready to Leave the Marvel Universe

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

Being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t exactly a side project, with filming and pick-ups/ADR taking up to six months for each movie and extensive press commitments surrounding every release. While the main stars of the franchise have found time to fit in acting roles in between their Marvel work schedules, it’s hard to imagine orchestrating a career change while tied to such a massive franchise.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier star Chris Evans is doing just that, however. He recently directed his first feature film, 1:30 Train, a drama starring himself and Alice Eve which was shot in just 19 days on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Evans has been hinting for some time that he intends to become a director and move away from acting – at least, in other people’s movies.


Speaking to Variety, Evans has clarified his intentions regarding his place in the Marvel universe and how much longer he intends to stay there.

He originally signed a contract for six movies and now – after two Captain America movies and The Avengers – he is halfway to fulfilling his contractual obligations, not counting his upcoming role in Avengers: Age of Ultron. In fact, Evans said that he had to argue Marvel down to that number, having told Variety:

“Initially, it was a nine-movie contract. And they said, if these movies take off and do very well, and my life changes and I don’t respond well, I don’t have the opportunity to say, listen, I need a f–king break. That just scared me.

“They called back and they tweaked the deal. It went from nine [films] to six. I said no again. My family was even going, ‘Are you sure you’re making the right decisions?’ It started to feel like maybe this is what I’m supposed to do.”

Unlike his on-screen counterpart, Evans was the very definition of a reluctant hero. He eventually caved after a series of pep talks, including one from The Avengers co-star Robert Downey Jr., but four years later he’s ready to start moving on and is already looking for a new feature film script to direct later this year.

“I’ve known for a while I wanted to direct. But (time) never really opens up. There’s another movie to do, there’s another acting job. It just got to a point where I was like, you know what — I have to do this… If I’m acting at all, it’s going to be under Marvel contract, or I’m going to be directing. I can’t see myself pursuing acting strictly outside of what I’m contractually obligated to do.”

Sebastian Stan, who plays Bucky Barnes AKA the Winter Soldier in Captain America’s latest adventure, is under contract for nine movies and will therefore still be around even after Evans’ retirement from the role. This has led to speculation that Bucky could eventually take up the mantle of Captain America from Steve Rogers.

Of course, it’s a bit early to start tearfully waving handkerchiefs at Evans just yet. With just three movies down (his cameo in Thor: The Dark World was agreed outside of the contract), he will go on to star in both the Avengers sequel and Captain America 3, and his final Marvel movie will most likely be The Avengers 3. Evans estimates there are about three years left before he’s free to move on.

“We can do this out loud. [Avengers 2] will shoot till August. I wouldn’t be surprised if for all of 2015, we didn’t do a movie. I bet by 2017, I’ll be done.”

While Evans has done a great job in the role of Steve Rogers, it’s understandable that he’s looking forward to being relieved of a role that he didn’t particularly want to take in the first place. The confirmation that he’s ready to exit the stage opens up some very interesting questions as to how Steve Rogers will be written out of the Marvel universe, and who will succeed him. Will it be Bucky Barnes, or will the “psychotic 1950s Cap” that’s been teased by the writers of Captain America 3 break free of his psychosis and become the main hero?

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Captain America: The Winter Soldier is out in theaters on April 4, 2014.

Sauce: http://screenrant.com/captain-america-chris-evans-quitting-acting/

[TheHobbitofDune]

While Evans has done a great job in the role of Steve Rogers, it’s understandable that he’s looking forward to being relieved of a role that he didn’t particularly want to take in the first place.

What? Wow, that's news to me. Anyone know the backstory behind this? In any case, I know that if I were offered the role of CAPTAIN FRIGGIN' AMERICA, my response would probably be to faint, then wake up and say, "Sign me up for the longest contract ever!" Although I highly doubt they would want an Asian Cap. lol.

[RLYHYPERGUY]

Cap is my favorite MCU character, and I LOVE the way Chris Evans portrays him, but if he isn't fully invested he shouldn't do it forever. I'm a huge believer in the phrase "less is more," and I think leaving Cap at some point and letting Chris Evans do what he wants would be an extremely wise decision. End it while you're going strong and don't draw it out too much. We want fond memories of quality that isn't marred by any missteps (look at Batman and Robin, Spider-Man 3, and, to a MUCH lesser degree, The Dark Knight Rises).

There's nothing wrong with recasting, or even going on with new heroes. Just give us your absolute best.

[Darth_Phobius47]

What? Wow, that's news to me. Anyone know the backstory behind this? In any case, I know that if I were offered the role of CAPTAIN FRIGGIN' AMERICA, my response would probably be to faint, then wake up and say, "Sign me up for the longest contract ever!" Although I highly doubt they would want an Asian Cap. lol.

(Pardon my stereotyping) Captain Asian! With his Vibranium alloy hat he wanders the Exotic East bringing justice to those who wrong the weak! (Throws his hat like Raiden from Mortal Kombat)

[Master Rel]

Ok so now we shall consider who to replace him as Captain.

I offer two actors!


Aaron Eckhart




or


Mark Valley

[Kham-Ryn Kurios]

(Pardon my stereotyping) Captain Asian! With his Vibranium alloy hat he wanders the Exotic East bringing justice to those who wrong the weak! (Throws his hat like Raiden from Mortal Kombat)

*cough* Kung Lao *cough*

The description still plays. 

[TheHobbitofDune]

(Pardon my stereotyping) Captain Asian! With his Vibranium alloy hat he wanders the Exotic East bringing justice to those who wrong the weak! (Throws his hat like Raiden from Mortal Kombat)

HA. Nice. And don't worry, I actually like stereotyping. It's funny.

[Darth_Phobius47]

Ok so now we shall consider who to replace him as Captain.

I offer two actors!


Aaron Eckhart




or


Mark Valley

Eckhart look the part, not really so much the other guy. Too old looking. Two-Face would be an awesome Capt. 'Mericah! indeed.

[Oramac]

Two-Face would be an awesome Capt. 'Mericah! indeed.

This has to be one of the most ridiculous statements ever made.  Though I don't disagree that the actor would be good for the part. 

[TheHobbitofDune]

I don't think anyone should be replacing Chris Evans (except for Sebastian Stan, who plays Bucky). It's just not right. It would be like replacing Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, or Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Yeah, yeah, I know, Batman, Superman, etc., but still... this is different. These aren't reboots we're talking about, these are interconnected movies in a vast and rich cinematic universe. To replace an actor with someone else in that context is just... bizarre. Unless you're Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard, but they had their reasons. So unless it's absolutely necessary... otherwise no. Just no.

So yeah, by all means, replace him with Bucky, but let Evan's portrayal of Steve Rogers' Cap pass away peacefully. He totally owned that role, and his Cap is by far my favorite MCU character (tied with Tony Stark because Iron Man 3 awesomesauce win).

*gets off soapbox before angry people blow it up with a frag grenade or worse*

[Master Rel]

I don't think anyone should be replacing Chris Evans (except for Sebastian Stan, who plays Bucky). It's just not right. It would be like replacing Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, or Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Yeah, yeah, I know, Batman, Superman, etc., but still... this is different. These aren't reboots we're talking about, these are interconnected movies in a vast and rich cinematic universe. To replace an actor with someone else in that context is just... bizarre. Unless you're Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard, but they had their reasons. So unless it's absolutely necessary... otherwise no. Just no.

So yeah, by all means, replace him with Bucky, but let Evan's portrayal of Steve Rogers' Cap pass away peacefully. He totally owned that role, and his Cap is by far my favorite MCU character (tied with Tony Stark because Iron Man 3 awesomesauce win).

*gets off soapbox before angry people blow it up with a frag grenade or worse*

The only issue I have with Stan is that he is small.  25-30lbs lighter than Evans.

Well no that is not the only problem.

No one should replace the actor for the same role.  A new different Capt America with a new actor would be fine, then it could be anyone...any type.  Hopefully someone who is not 165-170lbs...should be a bigger guy, 225lbs if possible, IMO.

But wait and see.

Evans wants to step away from acting to direct, the easy fix to keep him on board...let him direct at least some of the movie he is in and he may stay on for a couple more.

[TheHobbitofDune]

That should be a non-issue considering his only enhancement is a bionic arm, rather than an actual super soldier serum. Plus, I just googled "Sebastian Stan shirtless" and he seems pretty well-built to me. Not to mention the fact that he could bulk up even more if it were to come to that.

Also, having a different person be Cap should be good enough. Or rather, different enough. They would bring their own personality, mannerisms, etc. to the role, and that's all that would be needed. However, your meaning of different doesn't really make sense since it implies that the new Cap shouldn't be like Steve Rodgers... as in, a goodie-good. Except all heroes are good, even if it's not to that extreme. But since you don't want that, he could be an anti-hero... but an anti-hero Captain America? Um.

Just let Bucky be Cap.

[Darth_Phobius47]

Like how Hank Pym passed the Ant-man/Giant-man suit to Scott Lang...

[Kal-El]

I don't think anyone should be replacing Chris Evans (except for Sebastian Stan, who plays Bucky). It's just not right. It would be like replacing Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, or Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. Yeah, yeah, I know, Batman, Superman, etc., but still... this is different. These aren't reboots we're talking about, these are interconnected movies in a vast and rich cinematic universe. To replace an actor with someone else in that context is just... bizarre. Unless you're Don Cheadle and Terrence Howard, but they had their reasons. So unless it's absolutely necessary... otherwise no. Just no.

So yeah, by all means, replace him with Bucky, but let Evan's portrayal of Steve Rogers' Cap pass away peacefully. He totally owned that role, and his Cap is by far my favorite MCU character (tied with Tony Stark because Iron Man 3 awesomesauce win).

*gets off soapbox before angry people blow it up with a frag grenade or worse*

nothing else needs to said to be said!  All has been stated right here right now and I for one agree 1000 percent!

[Master Rel]

Gotta take the soap box myself.

No, no, and no.

Capt America should not be an anit-hero.  He should not be small.  He should not be mousy, meek, or soft.

Any Capt America should be imposing in form and inspiring in action. 

We already accepted a downsizing from the CaptAmerica we all know in Evans, and he did his best to bulk up...to go with Stan means dropping another couple sizes.  Going from an extended dually turbo truck to a 4 cylinder sub compact truck.

Stan can get ripped, and looks fit and in serious shape...for a little guy, a light weight or welter weight, not even a middle weight...not the light heavy weight we have currently, not the heavy weight we have in the comics...going with Stan means going with a fit average guy...and that does not in any means speak "super serum" to me.  Stan could pull off Spider Man all day long, but not Capt America...no...no...no.

How about a guy the same size as Stan playing Thor?  Loki, ok.  Thor...Capt America...just say no.




It is not like we the public actually get a choice, and these thoughts fall on deaf ears but if it is an opinion based fantasy, then I vote for bigger and not smaller in a Capt America.