Captain America star Chris Evans has suggested he is not in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie, although there is a healthy dose of skepticism around his comments.
Evans, who last appeared as Captain America / Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the end of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, spoke to ScreenRant in a new interview. Evans was asked if he’d talked to Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr., who’s set to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, or Avengers directors the Russo brothers, since they signed on with Marvel for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Here’s his response:
“Yeah, I talk to them all the time. It’s where Pedro [Pascal] is right now. I mean, it’s sad to be away. It’s sad to not be back with the band, but I’m sure they’re doing something incredible, and I’m sure it’s going to be that much harder when it comes out and you feel like you weren’t invited to the party.”
That certainly suggests Evans will not be in Avengers: Doomsday, but should we take his comment at face value? Already MCU fans are reading much into the phrasing around his response, suggesting it leaves room for him to join the set of Avengers: Doomsday later than the actors who are already there. Evans, after all, is out promoting his new movie, Materialists, and so cannot be involved with the production of Avengers: Doomsday right now. But later, perhaps?
If Evans does return for Avengers: Doomsday, perhaps it won’t be as the Captain America we remember. After all, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson currently carries the MCU’s most famous shield. Instead, perhaps Evans will play a different character, as RDJ is, like some sort of evil Cap variant. Or perhaps he will return as an alternate Steve Rogers, or as ‘Old Man Cap.’ Maybe he’ll get to play Johnny Storm / Human Torch again (was Deadpool & Wolverine a fever dream?).
Or, perhaps we should take Evans’ comments here at face value and believe him when he says he’s not been invited to the party. Evans’ name was not among the list of actors Marvel announced to be in Avengers: Doomsday, after all. And while Marvel has indicated it has more actors to confirm, Evans wasn’t the only big MCU name to fail to get a chair.
Last week, The Fantastic Four: First Steps director Matt Shakman commented on whether RDJ’s Doctor Doom would make an appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and seemingly confirmed the character will be absent. But, like with Chris Evans’ comment, Shakman’s awkwardly-phrased response left fans doubting the director’s words.
And last month, Marvel star Chris Hemsworth released a Thor tribute video that sparked speculation that the character will die in Avengers: Doomsday.
Marvel recently delayed both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars to December 2026 and December 2027 respectively. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the two Avengers movies are currently the only upcoming MCU films with confirmed release dates.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
