Oh, what a difference a fruitful Marvel Cinematic Universe can make.
I'm not just taking about its model, which other studios keep trying to copy as they develop their own shared universes, and how it has impacted the way big blockbusters in Hollywood are made. I'm also taking about how it has swayed the mindset of Chris Evans.
Not too long ago (2014 to be precise), Chris Evans wasn't exactly long for making Marvel movies. I believe his exact words were "I think when I'm done with this Marvel contract, I'll take a little break from acting." Stemming from that, everyone expected Marvel to come up with some sort of plan following his deal expiring to maybe get another actor in Cap's suit, in order to keep the character going strong in future Phases. Then again, it also opened up plenty of rumors that Steve Rogers might bite the bullet moving along.
Well, things have changed, and Chris Evans isn't exactly ready to walk away from what he helped build just yet. In a new interview, Evans discusses what he's thinking of doing once his current Marvel deal reaches the end.
"Listen, if Marvel wants me they got me. I’ve never had such a relationship where you have such—I mean look at my resume, I’m used to being on set being like, ‘Ah is this movie gonna be terrible?’ Marvel just can’t stop making great movies, they do it in their sleep. It’s wonderful directors and producers and actors and scripts, and it’s like a playground as an actor."
Sounds like someone turned that frown upside-down and wants to keep hold of the shield as long as humanly possible. Given the exposure the MCU has given to Chris Evans, how could anyone really blame him?
And now with the shift in Marvel's power structure, it is quite realistic that, while Evans might not get to see any of that Robert Downey Jr. money, he could be walking into a hefty raise that recognizes his contribution as a key element in the MCU foundation.
That's something the likes of which you'd never want to let go if you can make it so.
Chris Evans' next turn as Captain America is, of course, CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, which kicks off next summer on May 6, 2016.