The news initially broke out over at Deadline with a source stating that Chris Evans could be reprising his role as Captain America, but nothing’s been finalized yet and the internet has feelings. As do I.
If it’s a guest, small role–I’m here for it, but something more just doesn’t work with the curtain call Evans gave along with Robert Downey Jr. Maybe I just have superhero fatigue, understandably, Marvelous Geeks was consumed with the universe for a long time. Don’t get me wrong, I love them with my whole heart. I plan on watching WandaVision!, Loki, Falcon and Winter Soldier, and the rest of the films the cinematic universe has lined up. But so much of my investment in the series came from my utmost devotion to Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter, as individuals, and as a ship.
When I wrote about their relationship and the final scene in Avengers: Endgame it felt like my curtain call with the franchise, too. That probably sounds dramatic, but isn’t that why you’re all here, to hear my overdramatic thoughts on the matter? The superhero fatigue is real. Investment fatigue is also real. Sometimes fandom could be exhausting and that’s especially the case with such a large franchise. I live a Peggy Carter appreciation life and I can’t wait for her episode of What If…? But something about Steve Rogers (potentially) being back in the cinematic universe this soon just isn’t something I can bring myself to be excited about.
Why am I even writing this if I’m not excited? Perhaps I’m trying to work through my own feelings with this fatigue I have and casually weaving in my distrust of how storylines that should have been left alone are tackled head-on.
Steve and Peggy are too precious to me. Their story is too precious to me. It’s one of my favorite romantic relationships ever so I suppose I’m venting, putting out in the universe–hoping that it remains untouched. Because there’s something else I wouldn’t want and it’s a spin-off. What if it’s ruined? There’s something about the ambiguity in their ending that makes it that much more beautiful to think of. I appreciate knowing they’re happy with that final scene. I appreciate what’s left to our imaginations.
Plus, the only time I want to see a Captain America on screen is now through the eyes of Sam Wilson–that’s the story that makes sense, that’s the story I care about. That’s the one I want to see. That’s the one the audience today deserves to see.
The bottom line is, I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings about this, but I think, above all things, I just don’t want something I believe to be extraordinarily ruined. Chris Evans is an incredibly respected actor around here. While I don’t typically gravitate toward heavy dramas, I watched Defending Jacob solely for him. There’s nothing I wouldn’t watch with him, so I suppose that’s another thing–I want to see him in different roles. I want to see him perhaps away from the comic adaptations.
Will I watch whatever Steve Rogers is in? Yes. It’s me after all, staying away would feel like a betrayal, but I’d do it begrudgingly. (Maybe it’d be great and I’d be proven wrong.) I’ll be the first to admit if that’s the case and admit to it. But for now, I’ve got a lot of mixed feelings.
What are your thoughts on all this?
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