The End of an Era: Chris Evans Wraps as Captain America for the Final Time

We all knew it was a long time coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier to say good-bye to the man who defined one of the greatest cinematic heroes of all time: Chris Evans has wrapped as Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, on Avengers 4, shedding the iconic costume and hanging up the shield for good. The 37-year-old actor initially signed on to play the Star-Spangled Avenger in six movies back when Marvel Studios was still an unknown quantity, and talked frequently of retiring from the character — and from acting altogether — but extended his contract to include Avengers 4.

After introducing the character in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), he reprised the role in The Avengers (2012), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). He has also popped up in cameo in Thor: The Dark World (2013) and Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), bringing his total theatrical appearances to date to eight, with Avengers 4 being his ninth and final appearance as the character.

Here’s Evans’ farewell tweet:

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

Avengers 4 (working title) was directed by  Anthony & Joe Russo from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The super cast includes Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Anthony Mackie as Falcon, Sebastian Stan as Winter Soldier, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Paul Bettany as Vision, Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Don Cheadle as War Machine, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Cobie Smulders as Mariah Hill, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange, Benedict Wong as Wong, Chris Pratt as Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket Racoon and Pom Klementieff as Mantis.

Avengers 4 is slated for a May 3, 2019 release.