What Chris Evans has to say about rumors surrounding his potential return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday and fan reactions to the news.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t been the same after Avengers: Endgame, for apart from the end of one of the best storylines of the MCU, fans also said goodbye to a lot of OG Marvel stars. So, it was a wonderful surprise and news that Robert Downey Jr. was announced as Doctor Doom, and just a few months later it was reported that Chris Evans would be returning to the superhero universe as well.
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans in a still from Avengers: Endgame | Credit: Marvel Studios
However, after nearly two months of celebrating and speculating which character Evans would play, the actor himself has given a crushing update regarding his MCU return. Yet, fans are not really buying that.
Chris Evans spills the tea about his ‘rumored’ MCU return
Chris Evans’s Captain America handing over the shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson in Avengers: Endgame | Credits: Marvel Studios
It was an exciting time for Marvel fans when Deadline reported on December 9, 2024, that Chris Evans would be returning in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, thus potentially reuniting him with Robert Downey Jr., who is confirmed to star as Doctor Doom. However, according to the latest cover story of Anthony Mackie by Esquire, all of this is a lie.
While discussing the MCU along with Esquire’s Brady Langmann, Mackie was asked if he knew anything about the rumors of Evans returning. Mackie replied that although he had hung out with Evans around the time Deadline reported the news, he had no idea of the same and did an impeccable Evans impression— Oh, you know, I’m happily retired.
Hilariously, when Langmann reached out to the actor in question, he promptly contradicted the rumor, stating,
That’s not true, though. This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years—ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it. Yeah, no—happily retired!
Thus, essentially putting all rumors and speculations of his possible return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe to rest, Evans revealed he is ‘retired’ from the superhero franchise for good.
Known for playing one of the best iterations of Captain America (a mantle which will now be helmed by Mackie), it is disheartening to know that Evans will not be reuniting with his Marvel co-stars, including RDJ.
Marvel fans react to Chris Evans’ denying rumors of his MCU return
Chris Evans as Captain America | Credit: Marvel Studios
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is not just as big as it is because it is based on the Marvel comics or it has interesting storylines or brilliant CGI, but a lot of the credit for its success goes to the original MCU actors. From Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man to Chris Evans’ Captain America, it was the portrayal of these actors that propelled the MCU to worldwide fame.
Hence, Marvel fans have felt an emptiness ever since Avengers: Endgame. And it feels even more disappointing to know that Evans will not be returning to the MCU after almost two months of celebrating ‘news’ of his return. Yet, fans are not buying the actor’s latest denial, given his exciting cameo as Johnny Storm in last year’s blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine.
While Marvel fans refuse to believe him, stating that he is ‘pulling off an Andrew Garfield,’ Marvel Studio has not responded to any of these rumors or Evans’ statements.
Although we might miss seeing Chris Evans in the MCU, the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars and Doomsday, the two films are to be directed by the Russo Brothers, potentially bringing back some fan-favorite characters and introducing new ones, while promising to keep the excitement alive in the Marvel Cinematic Universe despite the absence of some of the OG Avengers stars.