Marvel hero Chris Evans believes it's still too early for a Steve Rogers return to the big screen.
Following 11 movies as the supersoldier with a star-spangled shield, Evans bowed out of the MCU four years ago in Avengers: Endgame, with Sam Wilson/Falcon officially taking on the mantle of Cap.
That hasn't stopped rumours floating about, though, and the actor decided to quash them at the recent 2023 Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo.
Related: Captain America star Chris Evans opens up about his battle with anxiety
"It's tough, because look, I love that role deeply," he told attendees (via ComicBook).
"I think there's more Steve Rogers stories [to] tell, sure. But at the same time, I'm very, very precious with it. I'd become, you know... 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.
"As much as I'm connected to that role and love telling those stories and working with those people. It doesn't quite feel right, right now."
Related: Marvel's Chris Evans pokes fun at co-star Jeremy Renner's snowplough accident
Captain America: New World Order producer Nate Moore previously discussed the refreshing qualities of Sam's Cap.
"He's not Steve Rogers and I think that's a good thing. Because to me, this new Cap is Rocky. He's going to be the underdog in any situation. He's not a super soldier. He's not 100 years old. He doesn't have the Avengers.
"What happens with this guy who announces publicly kind of, without the support, 'I'm the new Captain America.' What happens next?" Moore pondered.
"He's a guy with wings and a shield, but he is a guy. So, we're going to put him through the wringer and make him earn it, and see what happens when he is outweighed, outclassed, out-everything."
Captain America: New World Order hits cinemas on May 3, 2024. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is streaming exclusively on Disney+.
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Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
