As much as we would love it, Chris Evans can’t carry the Captain America torch forever. Never mind the fact Steve Rogers has passed the title on to many others in the past, but Chris Evans’ Marvel contract is fast-expiring, and it’s unclear whether or not he’d be up for signing a new one. As of now, he’s on board for six films, not counting his cameo in Thor: The Dark World in 2013 (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War – Parts 1 & 2), and with his recent interest behind the camera, it may soon be time to wave farewell to Steve Rogers.

Sebastian Stan plays the conflicted Bucky Barnes in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier.' Will he be the next Cap?

But who will take up the mantle? Well, we there are two choices in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. First, there is Bucky Barnes, played by Sebastian Stan (who signed on for nine films), who when last we saw him, was living it up as the Winter Soldier. The other option is Falcon, played by Anthony Mackie in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (who enthusiastically told Vulture “I signed up for as many movies as I could… I signed up for, like, 50 movies.”). So who will become Captain America next? Anthony Mackie discussed the possibilities with Windy City Live earlier this week (hat tip to Screen Rant).

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson. Will he be the next Captain America?

“Well, you know there are many incarnations in the comic book, and we are now going into the Civil War. So, if you look at it in the comic book, Cap gives Bucky the shield, Bucky gives it back to Cap, Cap gives it to me… Then Bucky goes off and marries Black Widow, so I keep the shield, give it back to Cap, and recently Cap wanted to be old, so he gave me the shield back and now I got the shield; I’m not giving it back.”

Of course as history has proven over and over again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what is sacred in the comic books doesn’t necessarily matter in the film, and right now, the possibilities are endless as to where Captain America’s shield will land next.

Though going by what we know, it seems likely that Bucky Barnes would be the next logical successor to Captain America. If Anthony Mackie is indeed on board for as many Marvel films as he says, then there’s a lot more time for him to spend time onscreen as Falcon before becoming Captain America.

Who do you want to see as the next Captain America? Let us know in the comments below!