In the finale of Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) passed down his shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). He gave Falcon the keepsake and then unofficially crowned him the MCU's new Captain America. Bucky (Sebastian Stan) nodded in their direction, showing his approval. And in the end, it was Rogers' last goodbye to them both.

The reason we know Endgame put Steve Rogers to rest is the Falcon And Winter Soldier series. It'll showcase his funeral and subsequent aftermath, so this is presumably the end of the line for him. But that may not be the case, after all.

A report from Deadline earlier this year teased Chris Evans' return to the MCU, hinting at Evans returning for another Marvel project in the future. Unfortunately, Kevin Feige dismissed those rumors in a new interview with Collider, which ruled out Cap's return anytime soon.

Chris Evans' Return

via IGN/GameSpot

The silver lining is it could still happen, just further down the line. Several opportunities in Phase 4 offer Marvel Studios the convenience to bring Evans' Captain America back into the fold. Although, that begs to ask: How would the studio retcon Cap's death?

The answer is the studio might not have to. If we've learned anything, it's that death is never permanent in the MCU, especially when someone dies offscreen. We didn't witness Cap's death on Falcon And The Winter Soldier—and even if we do—that still doesn't make it permanent.

Faking deaths is also a common trope in Marvel Comics, which means it's even likelier that Rogers' departure can get written off. He's also faked his death in the comics, so there's a precedent for it happening, too.

As far as what capacity we can picture Evans returning in, that's simple, as the older Captain Rogers. Since the MCU is borrowing elements from All-New, All-Different Marvel for Phase 4, Marvel Studios may have plans to reintroduce Steve Rogers. Phase 4 is drawing in characters like Jane Foster's Mighty Thor, Sam Wilson's Captain America, Kamala Khan's Ms. Marvel, and Moon Knight, all of whom are prominent heroes from the All-New, All-Different Marvel comics. That alone is enough evidence to suggest we could see the old Steve Rogers join the fight.

The catch is that an elderly Captain Rogers wouldn't be physically capable of fighting like he used to. The Steve Rogers from Endgame looked pretty frail in its climax, so he's all but disqualified from combat. Unless, however, something changes for him.

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Falcon And The Winter Soldier Possibilities

via Twitter/NDTV Gadgets 360

The answer to that dilemma may lie in a future Marvel project like the second season of Falcon And The Winter Soldier. It's still unconfirmed, but if the show receives a sophomore season as rumors suggest, there's a chance Steve Rogers will resurface when he finds out John Walker (Wyatt Russell) took up the Captain America mantle. Walker is pertinent here because he's presumably enhanced with the Super Soldier Serum. Captain America can't just be an everyday guy in a star-spangled outfit. He has to tackle threats as they come, so he needs the strength that the serum can provide him.

Assuming that is the case with Walker, Rogers might take the same serum to restore his youth. He'd definitely have a problem with someone other than Sam or Bucky becoming the next Captain America, and he wouldn't stand idly by as it happens. So, there's reason to believe Evans' character has a role to play in the future.

Regardless of the how, Evans' return seems inevitable. Whether it's as the elder Captain Rogers, a doppelganger from another universe, or as his old self, he's bound to have another MCU role in the future. The question is, will it happen as early as Falcon And The Winter Soldier Season 2, or further down the line in an Avengers-centric project? Only time will tell.

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