In the wake of the game-changing events seen in Captain America: Civil War, many fans have wondered what the status of the titular character’s onscreen mantle may be. Was his dropping of the iconic shield simply done in the heat of the moment, or was it a bold statement?
Apparently, the folks at Huffington Post also had that burning question on their mind and asked directors Joe and Anthony Russo just what exactly is going on with Steve Rogers.
Joe had the following to say:
“I think him dropping that shield is him letting go of that identity. [It’s] him admitting that certainly the identity of Captain America was in conflict with the very personal choice that he was making.”
Now, the character of Steve Rogers has adopted several other personas over his 75 year history, such as Nomad (which I highly doubt will ever be adapted to screen) and Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier (a modified version of this costume was worn during much of Captain America: The Winter Soldier). It’s very possible that we could see the latter loosely translated to cinema in the near future, but something screenwriter Christopher Markus told Huffington Post makes me reconsider, when he vaguely hinted as to why Steve wasn’t killed in Civil War.
“There’s a big purple guy coming. He could be very helpful.”
With the threat of Thanos looming in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, I wouldn’t doubt if Steve spends a good portion of the film contemplating whether he should wield the shield or not. In other words, we could very well see  “How Steve Rogers Got His Groove Back,” as it were.
But, then again, actor Chris Evans’ contract is nearing its end and Rogers could very well be killed off in the team-up film. Think about it: Not only would it rally an already fractured Avengers team, but you already have two built in replacements lined up in the form of Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie).
Regardless of whatever route Marvel Studios elects to go, my gut tells me that the status quo of Captain America will be forever altered when Avengers: Infinity War arrives in theaters on May 4, 2018. As long as he doesn’t become a Hydra agent, I think we’re alright.
