Chris Evans retires from Captain America role after 10 films

Chris Evans has suggested that he will no longer play Captain America in Marvel's Avengers movies, describing the role he played for eight years as an “honor”.

“Officially wrapped on Avengers 4. It was an emotional day to say the least,” Evans tweeted on Thursday night.

“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.”

The as-yet-untitled fourth Avengers movie will be Marvel’s 22nd film and Evans’ 10th as Steve Rogers AKA Captain America, the superhero supergroup’s tactician and cool head in fiery situations.

Evans’ tweet has had a staggering 246,000 retweets at the time of writing, with his farewell to the role receiving an outpouring of love from fans and colleagues alike.

Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds tweeted: “I’m not crying. I’m weeping. There’s a difference,” with Dwayne Johnson adding: “What a run you had brother. Congrats on breathing life into such an iconic character. Keep on keeping’ on.”

Though Captain America didn’t appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe until five movies in, he is seen as one of the original Avengers, having fought all manner of evil forces alongside Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and others.

Evans’ exit won’t come as a huge surprise as he has previously spoken about wanting “to get off the train before they push you off,” and Avengers: Infinity War left the fate of several characters in the balance.

It remains to be seen how his version of Captain America is written out in Avengers 4, one fan hoping it’s not one particularly sombre departure Steve Rogers made in the comics.