Action star Chris Evans has furiously denied rumours he is to return as Captain America on the big screen as he heaps praise on his predecessor, Anthony Mackie.
The 41-year-old actor played Steve Rodgers, aka Captain America, for eight years between 2011 and 2019 from The First Avenger through to Avengers: End Game.
He then passed the mantle to 43-year-old Anthony’s character, Sam Wilson – a role the actor himself has played since 2014.
With Anthony now set to take the centre stage in an upcoming fourth Captain America film, fans will see his character advance from being The Falcon to being the top all American hero in a fight against evil.
But rumours have abounded that Anthony’s moment in the spotlight will be overshadowed by a return from Chris as Steve Rodgers – but this is something he has now dismissed.
The Hollywood Reporter sparked rumours when they tweeted: "It is unclear if Chris Evans would reprise his role as the first #CaptainAmerica (though if the question of who is entitled to carry the shield continues, all bets are off).
"Having stacked casts in solo outings is a key Marvel ingredient at this point."
But then Chris shot down the speculation, tweeting in response: "Sam Wilson is Captain America."
TMZ reports that Chris’s tweet is intended to: “shut down trolls who, to this day, aren't cool with the idea of Mackie carrying on as the titular superhero – a controversy that's been brewing since 2019 when he was officially tapped as Chris Evans' successor.”
Anthony has, unfortunately, been the victim of racist abuse from some corners of the social media community who have argued he should not be allowed to play Captain America on screen.
This is despite the fact his character, Sam, takes the Captain America mantle in the comics which the film series is based on.
While Chris’s tweet seemingly also confirms that he has completely retired from playing Steve on screen – with the character being revealed as living in old age by the end of the 2019 film Endgame.
Fans could see Chris bas in Marvel films, however, as he has hinted he would love to reprise his role as Johnny Storm in a future film – a role he originally played in 2005’s Fantastic Four.
He told MTV News: “Wouldn’t that be great? No, no one’s ever come to me about that. I mean, I don’t exactly look the same anymore. That was 15, almost 20 years ago. Oh my God, I’m old. But I really love that character, but I think… aren’t they doing something now with Fantastic Four?
“I would love it. That would actually be an easier sell to me than coming back as Cap. You know what I mean? Cap is so precious to me. And you know, I almost don’t wanna disrupt what a beautiful experience that was. But Johnny Storm, I feel like he didn’t really get his day. That was before Marvel really found its footing. So, I loved that role and, you know, who knows?”
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