Now that Chris Evans is confirmed to be back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to star in Avengers: Doomsday, his return to the franchise — likely as Steve Rogers — could be justified by a few special MCU team-ups. Like Iron Man and Black Widow, Captain America’s journey in the MCU seemingly came to an end in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. However, Marvel seemingly cannot let go of the star of many of the MCU’s best movies, as Evans is reportedly coming back to the MCU alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Deadline reports he is likely playing Steve Rogers.

Before the next Avengers movie, Evans came back to the franchise as a version of the Fantastic Four’s Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine. His return to the MCU in 2024 helps fuel the reports that he will be back to help shape Avengers: Doomsday‘s story, even if Marvel has yet to officially announce his return. While the multiverse allows Marvel to cast Evans as Captain America variants, with the evil Captain Hydra being a popular fan theory, the MCU star could very well be back as the original Steve Rogers, which could be great based on possible MCU team-ups.

Steve Rogers And Peggy Carter Can Reveal Details About Their Life

The Couple Ended The Infinity Saga In Heartwarming Fashion

Avengers: Endgame gave Chris Evans’ Captain America a poignant ending. After leading the Avengers and other MCU heroes to victory against Thanos, Steve Rogers chose to go back in time and stay with the love of his life, Peggy Carter, in the past. While that seemed like an emotional note to end Captain America’s MCU journey, Marvel Studios could have more plans in store for both characters, as Hayley Atwell has been cast in Avengers: Doomsday. The report on the actress’ Avengers casting mentioned that she will be playing Agent Carter in the anticipated movie.

That means a lot, as Atwell’s Peggy Carter died of natural causes when older in Captain America: Civil War. In recent years, the actress returned to the MCU as different versions of the multiverse hero Captain Carter, who originated in What If…? As the report mentions Agent Carter and the original Peggy is dead, all signs point to Atwell playing the version of the character who got to live her life alongside Evans’ Captain America from the final scene of Avengers: Endgame. Deadline reported that Marvel had plans in 2021 to make a standalone movie with Evans and Atwell.

Due to Captain America’s presence in that timeline, many events must have been changed over the years, as Steve Rogers is not someone who would just sit by while villains rose around him.

Since a story was not agreed on for the movie, Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter should make their next joint appearance in Avengers: Doomsday. With both MCU stars set to appear in the Avengers movie, the project could explore details of their characters’ lives since Steve returned to be with Peggy. Due to Captain America’s presence in that timeline, many events must have been changed over the years, as Steve Rogers is not someone who would just sit by while villains rose around him. Questions like whether Steve and Peggy had kids could be answered by Avengers: Doomsday.

Steve Rogers Can Guide Sam Wilson As He Becomes The MCU’s Captain America

Anthony Mackie’s Marvel Character Has A Major Year Ahead

Avengers: Endgame saw an old Steve Rogers pass on the Captain America mantle to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. After taking on such a huge legacy, Disney+’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier showed Sam’s struggle to feel like he deserved that role and how he had to convince the world that he was the right man for the job. 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World cements Sam Wilson’s status as the MCU’s new Captain America, with Mackie leading his first Marvel film. As the character goes on to his first Avengers film as Captain America, Steve Rogers could assist him

Despite Chris Evans’ return in the next Avengers film, Anthony Mackie is also confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday. That could lead to Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers sharing the screen again, and Evans’ former Captain America could help Sam establish himself as a leader or the main leader of the MCU’s new Avengers team. Steve Rogers knows everything about leadership, sacrifice, and inspiring others. After cementing himself as Captain America this year, 2026 could continue Sam Wilson’s journey as he becomes a lynchpin of the Avengers, while Steve Rogers as Nomad or another title could still help fight Doctor Doom.

Steve Rogers Has To Be There For Bucky Barnes After Leaving Him Behind

Avengers: Endgame Made A Controversial Decision

Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes are best friends. The characters went through every imaginable scenario together, being friends, brothers in arms during World War II, enemies after Steve woke up in the present and Bucky was the Winter Soldier, and friends again as Captain America saved his friend and helped him be a hero again. Despite their shared history and how broken Bucky still was by Avengers: Endgame, Chris Evans’ Marvel character chose to go back to the past and stay there with Peggy. While Sebastian Stan’s Bucky was aware of it, the choice divided fans.

As The Falcon and the Winter Soldier explored, Bucky was still dealing with all the trauma he had suffered and the pain he had caused as the Winter Soldier. As his best friend, having Steve by his side to serve as his rock as Bucky tried to make amends and heal would have been priceless. With Evans’ Avengers: Doomsday return, the MCU can finally have Steve offer that support to his friend. Not only would it help Bucky, but by having the two relive the good old days, Marvel would be solving a recent MCU criticism in a satisfying way.

Steve Rogers And Tony Stark Can Have A Final Meeting

Marvel Studios’ Two Biggest Stars Are In The Same Movie Again

The final MCU team-up that I believe could justify Evans coming back as Steve Rogers after Avengers: Endgame is between Captain America and Iron Man. Before Evans was reported to be back for Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel Studios revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 that Robert Downey Jr. would be playing Doctor Doom in the next two Avengers movies. While there has been no mention of him also portraying Tony Stark in the films, with the multiverse, there is nothing stopping Downey from giving life to both Doctor Doom and an Iron Man variant.

I think it would be a missed opportunity if Marvel never got to have Captain America and Iron Man share another scene. This is especially important since the MCU is rumored to go through a reboot after Avengers: Secret Wars. With RDJ confirmed for the next two Avengers movies and Evans set to star in at least Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel having its two biggest heroes together at least one final time before the MCU as we know it ends forever would be the perfect finale to the original franchise, justifying Chris Evans’ likely return as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday.