You may have felt the ground beneath you shaking slightly overnight; if you did, it’s because Chris Evans tweeted the earth-shattering news that the upcoming fourth Avengers movie would be Captain America’s last.
Officially wrapped on Avengers 4. It was an emotional day to say the least. Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honor. To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful.
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) October 4, 2018
I know, I know. Take all the time you need to process this. I’ll be here when you’re ready.
So, you’ve just had your heart broken into a million little pieces.
After eight beautiful years of Steve Rogers’ wholesome heroism, Cap is hanging up his shield. After three Captain America films and three Avengers films, plus the upcoming and as-yet untitled fourth Avengers film, Captain America is leaving humans to our own devices. Who’s going to save the world now? Tony Stark? Ha!
Deadpool understands how I feel.
I’m not crying. I’m weeping. There’s a difference.
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) October 4, 2018
I guess I naively thought that the Marvel Cinematic Universe would continue indefinitely, and that all of the Avengers would stick around for as long as possible. But Evans’ tweet was a wake-up call: nothing that good can last forever.
I get it. Like any creative type, he wants to explore other projects and test himself, flex his skills. But did he ever stop to think about what his departure would mean for me?!
It was actually revealed that Cap wouldn’t be back after the fourth Avengers movie all the way back in March, in a New York Times profile of Chris Evans, with Evans explaining that “you want to get off the train before they push you off”. (I’m just going to pretend that’s a reference to Bucky falling off the train at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger.)
But this farewell delivered via Twitter makes it all seem so… final. So real.
At least we’ll always have Chris Evans’ fantastic Twitter presence to comfort us. Please keep tweeting photos of your dog, sir. We need them in this trying time.
Could I interest you in a walk since you haven’t yet pooped today, Your Majesty? pic.twitter.com/9hqXJyL60D
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) October 2, 2018
The Hollywood Reporter floated the idea that Captain America might not be gone, and might be replaced by someone like Bucky or Sam, as they’ve done in the comics. I can’t see that translating well to screen, which probably means that Cap will die in the upcoming Avengers movie.
I really hope that I’m proved wrong, and he just gets to retire to a nice farm upstate like the golden retriever he is.
— Chris Evans as Golden Retrievers (@retrievans) October 1, 2018