Chris Evans Addresses His Marvel Cinematic Universe Return in Avengers: Doomsday
The actor is officially back in the franchise alongside Robert Downey Jr., according to reports from Comic Book Resources and Digital Spy.
The announcement follows Evans’ appearance in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, where he played a version of Johnny Storm from the Fantastic Four. While Marvel Studios has kept specific plot details regarding his role in Avengers: Doomsday tightly under wraps, the project marks a significant reunion for the actors.
How Marvel Set Up the Return of Steve Rogers
Several narrative threads established in past MCU entries left the door open for Steve Rogers to reappear. Unlike fellow original Avengers Iron Man and Black Widow, whose characters died during the events of Avengers: Endgame, Captain America is still alive in the MCU. After traveling back in time to live with Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers is now an old man.
Subsequent MCU projects such as Spider-Man: Far From Home and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law addressed the public status of Steve Rogers within the universe, noting that the general population believes he either died during the events of Avengers: Endgame or relocated to the moon. Because the character remains alive, filmmakers retained multiple avenues to reintroduce him.
Marvel Studios’ Approach to Legacy Returns
Bringing back foundational actors requires careful narrative justification, according to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige. Speaking with DiscussingFilm during the press tour for Deadpool & Wolverine—which grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time—Feige addressed the prospect of reuniting original stars like Evans and Downey Jr. for future installments.
“That’s the key, right? How do you do it in a way that maintains what has come before, and in a great way?” Feige told DiscussingFilm, noting that the studio spent the last two-plus years figuring out how to handle Hugh Jackman’s return as Wolverine. Feige emphasized that such legacy returns can succeed “if great care is taken.”
With Robert Downey Jr. returning to the franchise as Doctor Doom, and Evans officially joining the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios is leaning into legacy casting.
Keep reading