Chris Evans' Captain America return was set up by theMarvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest movie so far, as a newAvengers: Doomsdaytheory explains how Steve Rogers' latest appearance could tie into theupcoming MCU film.Evans was last seen as Captain America in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, which was the perfect finale for his version of the character in many ways.
Captain America finally wielded Mjolnir, said “Avengers Assemble,” and led the MCU heroes to victory against Thanos. I believe he deserved the ending he got, withSteve Rogers going back in time to stay in the past with Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter, passing on the shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. That said,Avengers: Doomsday’s storycould bring him back.
Sure, Evans was not one of the actors announced for theAvengers: Doomsdaycastin Marvel’s surprising live-stream. However, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has since revealed thatnot all actors from the next Avengers movie were announced. Evans' return seems like the case where the studio might want to keep it a secret for trailers or the film itself.
Chris Evans Is Reportedly In Avengers: Doomsday Despite His Negative Comments
Another Key MCU Star Is Also Said To Return Alongside The Captain America Actor
Months before the cast ofAvengers: Doomsdaywas announced, a major report about Evans' future in the franchise sent shockwaves throughout the internet. In December 2024,Chris Evans was reported to have been cast inAvengers: Doomsday. While rumors about the role he could be playing ranged from Captain America to Captain HYDRA and beyond,the role was undisclosed.
Not long after, another MCU report claimed thatPeggy Carter actress Hayley Atwell had also joined theAvengers: Doomsdaycast. Given howEvans and Atwell’s characters were last seen together in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, more fuel was added to the fire of Evans' MCU return. However, Marvel Studios has yet to comment on the actors' possible return, though Evans has.
According to Evans, while he talks to the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. all the time, he is not “back with the band.”
Speaking withScreenRant’s own Liam Crowley forMaterialists, where he co-starred with MCU Reed Richards actor Pedro Pascal,Chris Evans claimed that he was not inAvengers: Doomsday. According to Evans, while he talks to the Russo Brothers and Robert Downey Jr. all the time, he is not “back with the band.“Evans did say it was “sad to be away.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Opens The Door To Captain America’s Return In Different Ways
Chris Evans Could Play Different Versions Of Steve Rogers
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans' Captain America were the two faces of the MCU. With Downey now back in the franchise to play Doctor Doom in the next two Avengers movies, the door is wide open for Evans to also return. Afterthe actor reprised his Johnny Storm role in 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine, that seems likely.
Evans could just be lying to preserve the surprise of his return inAvengers: Doomsday. With Downey playing Doctor Doom, the Avengers face their biggest challenge yet. Recruiting Evans' Captain America, the team’s original leader, to stop the villain makes a lot of sense. Add in the fact Doom looks like Tony Stark, and Steve Rogers' return is even more likely.
Chris Evans might also not be coming back as Captain America. While that seems like the ideal way for his return, Downey’s casting as Doctor Doom offers an alternative. Evans could be playingthe evil Captain HYDRA version of Steve Rogers from Marvel Comics, siding with Doom. That could also lead to the whole original Avengers cast returning in evil roles.
Avengers: Doomsday Theory - We Already Saw Chris Evans' Captain America After The Upcoming Avengers Movies
While I think Captain HYDRA would be an interesting way to bring back Evans, I’m not convinced that is how the MCU will go about it. A newAvengers: Doomsdaytheory seems likean exciting path for the actor to continue playing Captain America and tie it to his last appearance. InAvengers: Endgame, Steve decided to stay in the past.
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However, we only saw him already dancing with Peggy in the past, and before that, as an old man in the present, after he lived a whole life with her and then came back to his original timeline.Marvel never actually showed Steve returning the Infinity Stones or arriving in the past and meeting Peggy.
Based on that, the newAvengers: Doomsdaytheory suggests that when Steve is dancing with Peggy, he has already been part of the events of the next two Avengers movies. Chris Evans' Captain America could have been roped into helping the MCU’s heroes bybeing plucked from time when he was returning the Infinity Stones. After helping, he stays with Peggy.
Marvel Studios' First Captain America Movie Without Him Underperformed
If Evans were to return as Captain America inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, then it could be just what the hero’s franchise needs. Recently,Anthony Mackie’sCaptain America: Brave New Worldunderperformed at the box office. At a roundtable with members of the press, Marvel’s Kevin Feige addressed it.Feige believes Evans' absence was behind the Captain America movie’s failure.
Evans' return as Captain America would give fans more adventures with a key member of the original Avengers.Seeing Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers team-up as Captain Americaat the same time could also be the kind of push audiences need to show up for Sam’s subsequent solo films.Avengers: Doomsdaycan boost multiple MCU franchises.
