Captain America is a man out of time. During his tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he has had a pretty rough go at things. He’s lost friends and loved ones, watched the world he defended fall far from grace. He has seen alien invasions and genocidal A.I. It has not been an easy road. And, now, as the MCU’s Phase 3 comes to an end, and Chris Evans’ contract is up, it would seem that Cap is headed for the afterlife in Avengers 4.
A new fan theory, however, over on Reddit may see Cap not only surviving – but actually getting a happy ending to his tumultuous time as an Avenger. Reddit user, Rocket135, suggests that the time travel aspect of Avengers 4 will play a role in Cap’s ‘retirement’.
“We are almost certain that the main premise of Avengers 4 will be time travel. Set pictures have shown us a modern day Tony Stark with a 2012 Battle of New York Steve Rogers.
Time travel is the most satisfying end to give to Captain America. Sending him back to the 1940’s to meet Peggy, and giving him the life he never had back.
We don’t know how time travel really works in the MCU, whether it’s multiple timelines, universes, or one continuous timeline. If the latter is the case, Steve gets sent back after the events of Agent Carter and spends a quiet life with her but would pass away before 2012, so that Young Steve Rogers would wake up and meet Peggy during Winter Soldier while never meeting himself.”
Now, as great as this would be for Steve, the thought of Captain America sitting back and allowing such atrocities as the Vietnam War, 9/11, and more just go by without him fighting evil, just doesn’t quite sit well. Not to mention, this version of Cap would have knowledge of Hydra’s infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D., and I doubt he could just sit back and allow things to happen the way they did.
He could even prevent the deaths of Iron Man’s parents, thus preventing the split in the Avengers. So, while not likely, this theory does have a nice sentiment to it.
Rocket135 also adds a theory about Cap’s friend, Bucky Barnes:
“Also maybe Bucky stays in modern day and takes up the Captain America mantle because there’s nothing left for him back in the 40’s and he feels he’s found his place in the present.”
This part of the theory seems far more reasonable. And, it may very well be how the future of the MCU shapes up, allowing a new version of Captain America while still letting Chris Evans exit graciously.
What do you think of this theory? Have any theories of your own? Let us know in the comments below!