Captain America 2 First Image, Confirms Black Widow's Major Role

Don’t turn your back on us, Steve Rogers. Just because you helped save New York City in Joss Whedon’s The Avengers doesn’t mean we no longer need your heroic assistance.

Marvel Studios announced via press release that the anticipated sequel Captain America 2, subtitled The Winter Soldier has begun principal photography as it works toward its previously announced April 4, 2014 release date. In celebration of the beginning of the shoot, Marvel released the above photo of Chris Evans back in character as Captain America … turning his back to the camera and giving us a great look at his trademark shield (click to see it full size!).

Speaking of, S.H.I.E.L.D. figures to be a big factor in Cap’s sequel. The release spells out a few details on the planned sequel, saying:

Of course, the Cap sequel is part of Marvel’s Phase Two, which launches on May 3 with Iron Man 3 and builds towards Whedon’s The Avengers 2, expected to hit theaters in 2015. But we have been hearing that The Winter Soldier will play as a standalone adventure, and has been described as “a political thriller,” which makes more sense now that we know it will have a D.C. setting. It is also interesting to know that Cap already will have a team up with Black Widow in this sequel. I love the idea of existing Marvel characters floating in and out of each other’s films. Get Iron Man into the Guardians of the Galaxy, just for fun!

Anthony and Joe Russo will direct Captain America 2, from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. The cast rounds out with returning stars Hayley Atwell, Samuel L. Jackson and Toby Jones. In addition, the release confirms Robert Redford’s character in the sequel. He’ll play Agent Alexander Pierce, a “senior leader within the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization.”