Warning! This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
Summary
Despite what Chris Evans might say, I believe he is coming back asCaptain Americain the coming years. Evans is one of the most important actors in theMarvel Cinematic Universeand my personal favorite.His Captain America was a constant presence during the MCU’s best period, the Infinity Saga. From 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avenger— his MCU debut — to 2019’sAvengers: Endgame— his latest outing as Steve Rogers — Evans appeared in at least one MCU movie a year. That is a record no other MCU actor matches, with Evans’Captain America trilogyalso the franchise’s best.
Avengers: Endgame’s ending saw Steve Rogers go live in the past with Peggy Carter, making Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson his successor. Mackie will now leadCaptain America: Brave New World’s cast, making his big screen debut as the MCU’s new Captain America next year. WhileI think Evans will not show up in the movie as old man Steve Rogers, since that would undermine Sam’s big moment as Captain America, I feel like the MCU’s recent major updates make it so Evans has got to be making a return as Steve Rogers in one or moreupcoming MCU movies.
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RDJ And The Russos Are Returning For Avengers 5 & 6
Marvel Brought Out The Big Guns At SDCC
AtSan Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios revealed its bold plans for the two announced Avengers movies. Originally, Kang the Conqueror and his variants, the Council of Kangs, would play a role in the films, or at the very least in 2026’sAvengers: The Kang Dynasty. However, after Kang’s debut film,Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, bombed at the box office andKang actor Jonathan Majors was firedfrom the role after being found guilty on two misdemeanor counts of harassment and assault, Marvel decided to scrap its plans for Kang in favor of bringing in Doctor Doom.
While I would have wantedOppenheimer’s Cillian Murphy to play the MCU’s Doctor Doom, I can’t help but be curious about how the decision to bring in hisOppenheimerco-star to play the role will affect the MCU. At San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios made the shocking reveal thatRobert Downey Jr. will play Doctor Doom in the next two Avengers movies. There was no explanation as to how the former Iron Man actor would switch roles to give life to the villain, but with the Multiverse Saga as the backdrop, Victor von Doom could be a Tony Stark variant.
Robert Downey Jr. personally called Chris Evans to convince him to play Captain Americain the first place, and RDJ’s MCU return could help Evans to come back as Steve Rogers.
The previously titledAvengers: The Kang Dynastywill now be calledAvengers: Doomsday. I’m excited about the change, as I always thought Doom was one of the best comic book villains. RDJ playing Doom also opens a lot of doors, especially for Evans to return as Captain America, as Downey coming back could be what convinces Evans to also return to his most famous role.The next two Avengers movies will also be directed by the Russo Brothers, who helmed four of Evans' best MCU movies and have worked with him after his MCU career, making a return more likely.
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Chris Evans Already Returned To The MCU Post-Endgame
Not As Captain America
Besides the chance to team up with the Russos and RDJ again in one or both of the announced Avengers movies, Evans himself has already returned to the MCU, only with a twist. Before playing Captain America in the MCU,Evans gave life to another Marvel hero, Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in two Fantastic Four movies in the 2000s. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman recently joined the MCU withDeadpool & Wolverine, and the movie’s multiverse story included several returning characters from Fox’s Marvel movies, including Evans as the Human Torch.
With Evans already in the MCU, Marvel could turn his extended cameo inDeadpool & Wolverineinto a full-on return as Captain America inAvengers: Secret Wars.Evans has talked about hisDeadpool & Wolverinerole, saying he was “so excited” to return as Johnny Storm after almost 20 years and that “Ryan’s humor makes just about everything work.” With Downey returning to the MCU, it seems like all options are now on the table for Marvel, and givenEvans had a great time with his own MCU return, I think a Captain America return is a matter of time.
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Chris Evans' Career Post-MCU Has Been Mostly Misses
A Captain America Return Might Be What He Needs
While Evans has delivered good to great performances in his roles after last playing Captain America in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, his post-MCU movies have not performed as well as expected. Evans' roles have been primarily in streaming films after the MCU, with his biggest theatrical release beingLightyear, based on theToy Storyfranchise’s fan-favorite Buzz Lightyear character. I’m a big fan ofLightyear; however, I’m sadly one of a few, asLightyearonly made $226.4 million at the worldwide box office on a $200 million budget, meaning it lost a lot of money after marketing costs entered the picture.
Evans' other high-profile movies post-MCU include the action pictureThe Gray Man, directed by the Russo Brothers; the action-comedyGhostedalongside Ana de Armas; and the dramaPain Hustlersopposite Emily Blunt. Despite working with popular Hollywood stars and interesting creative teams,Evans' movies failed to find positive critical reception.The Gray Manstands at 45%,Ghostedat 25%, andPain Hustlersat 23% Critics' Score on popular review aggregatorRotten Tomatoes. With many of Evans' post-MCU releases facing issues, I think that could end up leading to the actor being more receptive to coming back as Captain America.
I Predict This 2024 Movie Will Continue 2 Actors' Disappointing Rotten Tomatoes Streaks
Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans are set to star in an upcoming Christmas action movie, but unfortunately, the film already looks disappointing to me.
Chris Evans Could Play A Captain America Variant
It Would Avoid Evans' Biggest Concern
Evans has been asked about coming back as Captain America multiple times since he last played the role. The star’s answer is always a variation of how the role is special to him, and while he wouldn’t close the door,he thinks Steve Rogers had the perfect ending. Well, I think if Evans came back as a Captain America from a different universe, that would no longer be an issue. Evans could either play a Steve Rogers that the Avengers recruit to take down RDJ’s Doctor Doom or an evil version of Cap that works with Doom.
Another positive aspect of Evans possibly coming back to the MCU as a Captain America variant is thatit would not really impact Anthony Mackie’s first Captain America movie as the lead. A return as old man Steve Rogers inCaptain America: Brave New Worldor playing Cap in a movie closer to it might, but a multiverse role in 2027’sAvengers: Secret Warswould be another situation altogether. Based on his and RDJ’s MCU returns, I think Marvel will want Evans back asCaptain Americato recreate the Cap and Iron Man relationship with a twist.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
