Chris Evans has been rumored to be making a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there are a few major ways how that could happen.

Chris Evans‘ long-rumored return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be great for the franchise, and there are a few different routes the actor could explore for his potential return. In 2021, Deadline reported that Evans was nearing a deal to reprise his role as Captain America in the MCU. While the actor said at the time he had no idea about such a deal, tweeting “News to me,” that could have simply been the star’s way of keeping a possible return a surprise — such as Andrew Garfield did for Spider-Man: No Way Home — or things could have changed since.

In 2023, a report claimed Marvel was considering bringing back the original Avengers cast. That would happen due to the MCU wanting to course-correct after recent projects proved divisive to audiences and critics alike. Marvel, as a whole, is changing its stance on what the studio produces due to these controversial releases. Disney CEO Bob Iger has commented on an MCU slowdown, revealing that future MCU movies will be more focused on proven franchises and sequels. With Marvel turning to its most popular characters and stars, bringing Evans back is a real possibility, and it could happen in different ways.

Chris Evans Could Appear As The Human Torch In Deadpool & Wolverine

The Human Torch Might Be An Easier Sell For Evans Than Captain America

While Evans has made a name for himself in the MCU as Captain America, that was not his first Marvel superhero role. The actor gave life to Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, in two Fantastic Four movies. With the multiverse in play for the MCU, Evans could come back not as Captain America, but as the Human Torch, which would be a major surprise for fans. Adding to that possibility, Evans told MTV News in 2022 that returning as Johnny Storm “would actually be an easier sell to [him] than coming back as Cap.”

For that to happen, Evans’ Human Torch could be part of Deadpool & Wolverine‘s list of rumored cameos. The only MCU movie in 2024 stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, though several past actors from the X-Men movie franchise and other Marvel movie continuities are rumored to return for a cameo in the multiversal movie. Evans already agreed to a hilarious cameo in director Shawn Levy and star Reynolds’ Free Guy, so him returning as the Human Torch instead of Captain America in the movie would be on brand.

Chris Evans’ Captain America Needs To Come Back For Avengers: Secret Wars

Avengers: Secret Wars Could Reboot The MCU

While seeing Evans back as Johnny Storm would be exciting — and it would fit Deadpool & Wolverine‘s tone — the actor needs to return to his most iconic Marvel role at least once more. Avengers: Secret Wars will serve as the finale of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Evans’ Captain America was one of the most important characters of Marvel’s Infinity Saga, appearing in at least one project every year after he debuted. With the multiverse allowing Evans to return as Captain America to close out another MCU saga, he could play a couple of different versions of Captain America.

Avengers: Secret Wars could bring in Evans as a multiversal version of Steve Rogers, allowing the MCU to leave the finished story of the main Captain America intact. However, as Steve is seemingly still alive in the MCU — only older — the Avengers could resort to time travel technology again like in Avengers: Endgame to make Steve Rogers young to lead Earth’s Mightiest Heroes one more time in the fight to save the multiverse. With Avengers: Secret Wars rumored to reboot the MCU, Evans needs to come back as Captain America one more time to help send off this iteration of the universe.

Chris Evans’ Captain Hydra Would Be A Major Multiverse Saga/Captain America Villain

Sam Wilson Could Fight Steve Rogers

Going along with the possibility that Evans could sign on to return as a Captain America variant in Avengers: Secret Wars, it would be interesting to see him play a villain. Evans has played exciting villains in movies like Knives Out and The Gray Man, which could inform his take as a Captain America who works for Hydra. “Captain Hydra” comes from the Secret Empire comic book event, with it being a reality-altered version of Steve Rogers who was raised as a sleeper Hydra agent since he was young.

The most pivotal moment from the comic book story, Captain America revealing his true intentions and saying “Hail Hydra,” was already partly adapted by the MCU, with Evans’ Steve Rogers fooling Hydra agents to take the briefcase with Loki’s scepter by pretending to be Hydra in Avengers: Endgame. As Captain Hydra, Evans’ MCU return could lead to a major showdown between him and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. The move would be pivotal in Sam’s career as the new Captain America, becoming an emotional moment that would warrant an MCU return from Chris Evans.