This summer, Marvel kicked off the summer movie season with their action-packed blockbuster Captain America: Civil War, which sets the stage for the studio's Phase 3 lineup. Many of the Marvel characters in that movie are believed to return for Avengers: Infinity War, but there is very little known about the studio's plans beyond Phase 3, including new solo movies featuring each of the Avengers. During a recent interview, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige teased that it could be possible for the studio to release a Captain America movie that doesn't star Chris Evans as Steve Rogers.
Most of the main players in the Marvel Cinematic Universe sign multi-picture contracts that lock the stars in for several different movies. Many of the original Avengers are nearing the end of their contracts, which has many fans wondering if Avengers: Infinity War and the currently untitled Avengers 4 Sequel may kill off some of these beloved heroes. Collider recently spoke with Kevin Feige, who wouldn't say anything about Marvel killing off characters, but he did hint that it could be possible to see someone else besides Steve Rogers becoming Captain America.
"It's a good question and if we look back at the comic books as our inspiration and as the well from which this all springs, then the answer is 'no.' I'm not saying we'll do it in the movie but I've read Captain America comics that don't have Steve Rogers in them."
At the end of Captain America: Civil War, Steve Rogers drops his iconic shield, a gesture that director Joe Russo said symbolized Steve "letting go" of his Captain America identity. In the comics, characters such as The Falcon (Anthony Mackie) and The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) have taken over for Steve Rogers as Captain America, and it seems Kevin Feige could be hinting that another character could step in for Steve Rogers at some point in time.
Marvel has already slated three Phase 4 movies for release on May 1, 2020, July 10, 2020 and November 6, 2020, but the studio hasn't revealed which movies will take those dates as of yet. It's possible one of those dates could be for a new Captain America movie, but we won't know for sure until Marvel makes an official announcement. Kevin Feige also confirmed to Collider that production on Avengers: Infinity War will start in January, with production continuing through next October or November.