With Marvel’s massive, years-spanning plan to roll out its comics universe on the big screen, it’s hardly surprising to learn that another movie featuring one of its most popular characters is in the works. Though it seems early for the company to be working up another outing for Chris Evans’ Captain America given that his latest, The Winter Soldier, is only just about to hit cinemas, according to Variety the studio is doing just that.
The more surprising and, if the positive early word on The Winter Soldier is any indication, happy news is that directors Joe and Anthony Russo appear likely to pull off a feat so far only achieved by Jon Favreau and Joss Whedon: returning to direct a second film.
Of course, with the first sequel still a couple of months away from screens, no negotiations have begun and no deals have been struck, at least formally. But Variety’s sources say that Kevin Feige and co are thrilled with the film so far and have begun early talks about the focus of any third film. There is so far no release date or other details to report, beyond the fact that Evans' multi-film contract should guarantee his presence.
In related Cap news, Steve Rogers will be part of another story (besides his planned return with the rest of the Avengers in Age Of Ultron). Comics veteran Peter David has written a prelude Infinite Comic to the film, set shortly before it begins.
The comic finds Cap, Black Widow and Agent Brock Rumlow (AKA Crossbones, as played in the film by Frank Grillo) dispatched to hunt down a mysterious McGuffin known as Zodiac, which might spark a memory for anyone who has watched the Agent Carter One-Shot short.
“They know what S.H.I.E.L.D. has told them: that they're looking for the Zodiac, but they know little to nothing about it,” explains David on Marvel’s site. “To the Black Widow and Rumlow, that's fine. They're okay with doing what they're told. Cap, however, is way more suspicious and wants a clearer idea of what's going on, and is annoyed that S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't big on being forthcoming.”
For more on the comic, head to Marvel. You can read the comic now, while Captain America: The Winter Soldier will be out on March 26 in the UK, with US audiences waiting until April 4.