Chris Evans has been hesitant about returning to the MCU as Captain America, but coming back as Johnny Storm would be an easier sell for one reason.

While reprising the role of Captain America might not be on the cards for Chris Evans, the MCU veteran has previously suggested he’d return as Johnny Storm’s Human Torch, if only for one important reason. Chris Evans took his first spin as a live-action Marvel superhero in 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four back in 2005, which saw the future star-spangled man-with-a-plan portray the arrogant Johnny Storm. Storm obtains the ability to generate fire from his body after being exposed to cosmic radiation, and is the first member of the titular Fantastic Four team who chooses to embrace their newfound abilities.

Despite being a box office success, Fantastic Four received a mostly-negative reception, and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, fared even worse. Even so, Chris Evans’ portrayal of Johnny Storm’s Human Torch was popular, which has sparked theories that this iteration of the character, perhaps alongside other team members Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards, Jessica Alba’s Sue Storm and Michael Chiklis’ Ben Grimm, could return in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. While Evans has been hesitant to reprise his more famous role of Steve Rogers’ Captain America, he has hinted he’d be open to returning as Johnny Storm.

Why Chris Evans Would Return As Johnny Storm In The MCU

Even though many are hoping that Chris Evans will return as Captain America in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, the actor has stated on several occasions that his performance of Steve Rogers is precious to him, and it would take something extraordinary to get him to mess with Rogers’ ending. The joy of the multiverse means that anything can happen, however, so it’s always possible Steve Rogers’ Captain America could come back to the MCU, though Chris Evans seems more open to the idea of returning as Johnny Storm. Evans revealed this during an interview with MTV News back in 2022.

Wouldn’t that be great? No one’s ever come to me about that. I mean, I don’t exactly look the same anymore. That was 15, almost 20 years ago. But I really love that character… I mean, I guess all bets are off. Yeah. Look, I would love it. I would love it. That would actually be an easier sell to me than coming back as Cap. You know what I mean? Cap is so precious to me. And you know, I almost don’t wanna disrupt what a beautiful experience that was. But Johnny Storm, I feel like he didn’t really get his day. That was before Marvel really found its footing. So, I loved that role and, you know, who knows.

Chris Evans is likely right that Johnny Storm didn’t really get realized to his full potential in 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four duology, meaning that a return for this iteration of the character could actually do him justice. Marvel Studios really got into the swing of movie production from 2008’s Iron Man onward, but prior to the start of the MCU, most Marvel movies had received negative reviews and poor box office returns. Chris Evans’ iteration of Johnny Storm would be in good hands now, should he return in the MCU’s future, and his reprise may come about quite soon.

Where Chris Evans’ Johnny Storm Could Return In The MCU

Joseph Quinn will be debuting as the MCU’s official Johnny Storm in Marvel Studios’ upcoming The Fantastic Four movie, but Chris Evans could still return as his version of the Human Torch in at least two upcoming MCU projects. Evans’ return as Johnny Storm is perhaps most likely to take place in 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars, which is speculated to be including returning Marvel characters from various franchises. However, it’s also possible that Chris Evans could reprise the role as early as 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine, as other heroes from Fox’s previous franchises have already been confirmed to be returning.