Marvel Cinematic Universe veteran Frank Grillo thinks the next actor to play Captain America could be African-American or a woman.
Known for his role as Crossbones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Civil War, Grillo addressed who could succeed Chris Evans as the star-spangled hero following the events of Avengers 4.
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Appearing on Larry King Now, Grillo was asked whether he knows who will next play Captain America. "I don't know," he admitted, "but there've been rumors that [the next] Captain America could be African-American. It could be a woman. You know? So they're looking."
Evans has already suggested he will exit his role as Steve Rogers with 2019's Avengers 4, leaving the door open for someone else to pick up the shield. The mantle of Captain America in the comics has passed to Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson, on separate occasions, but it's, of course, unknown whether that might translate to the big screen, with either Sebastian Stan or Anthony Mackie stepping into the role. (In one alternate reality, Peggy Carter donned the costume.)
If the next Captain America hasn't already been decided on, all of the above choices could lead to some interesting MCU possibilities. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has promised a push toward a female-first Phase Four, and Brie Larson's Captain Marvel is already confirmed to become the new face of the franchise. While Hayley Atwell's Peggy Carter has passed away, Emily Van Camp's Sharon Carter is MIA after Thanos' finger snap.
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Stan has already confessed that he wants to become Captain America "one day," but that the timing needs to be right. Considering Barnes appears to have taken on the White Wolf persona, the MCU could look for a different Captain America and look for a more diverse choice.
As the subject of a black or female James Bond continues to grab headlines, the BBC's Doctor Who recent gender-flipped the lead character and cast Jodie Whittaker as the Time Lord. What the future holds for Captain America remains to be seen, but it looks increasingly likely that fans will have to get used to a whole new Super-Soldier in the near future.
Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers 4 stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Brie Larson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Paul Bettany, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen, Tom Holland, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chadwick Boseman, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Evangeline Lilly, and Josh Brolin. The film arrives May 3, 2019.