Earlier today, we brought you some quotes from Chris Evans' recent appearance at Emerald City Comic-Con, and we now have a more detailed breakdown of his take on the current state of comic book movies (via Variety).
“Comic book movies in general, for whatever reason, don’t always get the credit I think they deserve,” the former Captain America actor told the audience. “They are these big, giant movies. There’s a lot of cooks in the kitchen. But the empirical evidence is in: They are not easy to make. If it was easier, there would be a lot more good ones. I’m not throwing shade! I’ve been a part of a few that missed. It happens. Making a movie is tough. More cooks in the kitchen doesn’t make it easier. I don’t want to highlight specific films in the Marvel catalogue but some of them are phenomenal. Like independently, objectively great movies, and I think they deserve a little more credit.”
Evans didn't name any specific comic book movies he felt missed the mark, but he did mention that 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier was his "personal favorite" Marvel Studios film that he appeared in.
“It’s my personal favorite Marvel movie that I was a part of. It’s not just for the movie itself but the experience,” he said. “The first film, I was so nervous. You know what you’re stepping into and as a result you’re playing defense and you’re playing not to lose. When ‘Winter Solider’ came around, we were playing to win. And it’s the first movie with the Russo Brothers. We were taking more risks, and the character felt more fleshed out. It was one of the more satisfying experiences I’ve had in my Marvel run.”
This won't exactly be seen as a hot take, as The Winter Soldier would likely be among many fans' picks for one of the best MCU movies (if not superhero movies full stop).
Rumors persists that Evans is set to reprise the role of Steve Rogers in Avengers: Secret Wars, but despite a trade report claiming to have confirmed his return last year, the actor's responses in interviews tell a different story.
“It’s tough, because look, I love that role deeply,” Evans said when asked about potentially returning as Cap during last year's C2E2. “He means so much to me, and I really do. I think there’s more Steve Rogers stories to tell, sure. But at the same time, I’m very, very precious with it … 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. 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.”
Of course, there's a new Sentinel of Liberty in the MCU now, with Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) taking up the mantle in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Disney+ series. This doesn't mean Evans couldn't pop up for a cameo, but we can't see him returning to the role in a regular capacity. That said, there are other superhero aliases Rogers could go by!