It’s been a huge question ever since Marvel’s Cinematic Universe took root: just how long will Marvel Studios be able to lock down these actors? With each passing film, the asking price for each actor only grows. And then, of course, there’s the simple question of whether or not the actor wants to even play the character anymore. For a while, Chris Evans seemed to be the first actor on the chopping block. After all, his first film only did okay compared to the original “Thor” and “Iron Man,” not to mention the fact that Evans didn’t really seem to be as enthusiastic at the start. To top it off, he seemed to be leaning more towards directing in his future projects.

The release of “The Avengers” changed that. After the movie hit theaters, Evans really seemed to embrace the role wholeheartedly, and the character’s popularity only increased after “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” which is arguable Marvel Studios’ best film to date. Evans even went so far as to say that “if Marvel wants me they got me” for the foreseeable future.

But comic book fans all know that Steve Rogers isn’t the only one to take up the Captain America mantle. In the comics, there are probably well over twelve different men who have worn the star-spangled costume. Of that group, two of them have already been set up in the films.

The first is Sebastian Stan (a.k.a. Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. The Winter Soldier), who has gone through quite the journey in both “Captain America” films. At last weekend’s Salt Lake Comic Con, the cast of “Civil War” were at a spotlight panel, and Sebastian Stan opened up about whether or not he thinks Bucky Barnes will be next to take up the mantle of Captain America. 

“I’ll say this: They sure like to dangle a cheese in front of my nose a lot,” Stan said. In both movies, he’s picked up Cap’s shield in the middle of a battle, as a quick homage to Bucky’s tenure as Captain America in the comic books. “They’re like ‘Oh yeah, that’s where you pick up the shield,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’ve heard that one before. There it is again.'”

“But I don’t know. If I could say one thing, if anyone can have anything to do with it, to make it happen, is you.”

At the end of that quote, Stan pointed to the 4,500 man audience sitting in front of him. In short, if fans want Bucky to become Cap, then they only need to speak up. But it is hard to say, as Marvel Studios has proven more than once that you’re completely happy to pave their own way and ignore the comics altogether, so maybe a different Captain America isn’t in the cards at all.

Anthony Mackie (a.k.a. Sam Wilson, a.k.a. The Falcon) seems to be more in line with that kind of thinking.

“I don’t think we need a new Cap. I don’t think Cap needs to change. I think [Bucky’s actor Sebastian Stan] would be a great Cap, but then we’re left without Bucky. I think I’d be a great Cap, but then we’re left without a Falcon.”

What do you think? Do you like Cap the way he is, or do you think it’s time for Marvel to change things up? If so, between Mackie and Stan, which would you prefer to become the next Captain America? Let us know in the comments down below!

SOURCES: Salt Lake Tribune (1), (2), Collider