I might have been initially apprehensive about Chris Evans' return, but after reflecting on how much theMCUkept the legacy of Steve Rogers alive sinceAvengers: Endgame, I’ve changed my mind.Captain America’s MCU storyostensibly came to an end inAvengers: Endgameafter the Avengers leader lived a long and happy life with Peggy Carter, growing old, and bequeathing his iconic shield and mantle to Sam Wilson. His whereabouts since have been up for speculation, though this will likely be addressed inCaptain America: Brave New Worldin February.
Whatever the case, it’s probably safe to say that Earth-616’sSteve Rogers has bowed out of the MCU. Yet it was recently reported thatChris Evans will return inAvengers: Doomsdayalongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. His role is to be confirmed, but this has sparked a firestorm of speculation given that Robert Downey Jr. will not be portraying Tony Stark (though Doom could still be a Stark variant). Alongside this speculation is a healthy dose of skepticism, as a significant contingent of MCU fans express concerns over Marvel’s motives.
Chris Evans And RDJ’s MCU Returns Have Been Criticized As Cheap Nostalgia Bait
Some Believe That Marvel Has Run Out Of Ideas
While there’s no denying that Robert Downey Jr.’s face-reveal at San Diego Comic-Con made for an electric atmosphere, it didn’t take long for a sense of trepidation to emerge. It’s hard to ignore the announcement’s proximity tothe MCU’s suboptimal 2023, which has led more than a few to theorize thatMarvel cast its most bankable actor as the arch-villain of the Multiverse Saga to help recuperate its losses. This may be a cynical reading, but it’s hard to ignoreTony Stark’s importance to the MCU. It isn’t as if Marvel is re-casting a relatively minor MCU actor.
Given Tony Stark and Doctor Doom share similar motivations - to protect the world by any means necessary - the prevailing theory is that Doom will be a Stark variant.
This reticence was intensified with the announcement that Chris Evans would also be returning. To many,it started to look like Marvel Studios was running out of ideas and bringing back the foremost heroes of the Infinity Sagaas nostalgia bait to change the fortunes of the franchise. The fact that the MCU had seemingly moved away from Kang as the newest arch-villain was also notable, as it seemed as if the studio was switching out new ideas for old ones. With that being said, I’m starting to think that Evans' return was the plan all along.
The MCU Has Kept Steve Rogers' Memory Alive Since Avengers: Endgame
Steve Rogers Has Been Mentioned Every Year Since
Chris Evans' Steve Rogers may currently be out of sight, but he certainly isn’t out of mind. In fact,the MCU has referenced Steve Rogers at least once every yearsince hisAvengers: Endgamedeparture, with the obvious exception of 2020, as Marvel released no movies or shows. While the frequency of these references may have diminished since 2021 when he was referenced in five separate MCU productions, Marvel Studios has wasted no time in nodding to Steve Rogers' legacy in 2025, with a reference featured in therecently releasedDaredevil: Born Againtrailer.
2021
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
2022
2023
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
2024
2025
Daredevil: Born Again
It stands to reason thatCaptain America: Brave New Worldwill also heavily reference Rogers throughout the movie, although the trailer already sees President Ross invoke his name at least once. Many of these references are thanks toRogers: The Musicalbeing part of the furniture in New York, but it’s hard to overlook the prevalence of the show. Looking at it another way,if Marvel Studios wanted to spotlight its newer characters even more, then it might have been prudent for the franchise to avoid this many nods to retired characters.
The Many Steve Rogers References In MCU Phases 4 & 5 Set Up Chris Evans' Return
Marvel Seems To Be Working To Keep Steve Rogers Relevant
Instead, it almost feels as though the MCU has been keeping Cap in the zeitgeist on purpose.Captain America: Brave New Worldwill be releasedalmost six years afterAvengers: Endgamebut will explore Cap’s legacy similarly to howSpider-Man: Far From Homedid with Iron Man. After all, Marvel Studios has a longstanding tradition of teasing upcoming plots - with the most obvious being via post-credits scenes. I’m now wondering ifthat’s what the studio intended with these references, utilized to herald Cap’s return down the line.
It’s one thing having Chris Evans return to portray a completely different character, but another entirely to precede such a return with repeated references to his most famous role.
While there is no confirmation on whether Chris Evans’Avengers: Doomsdayrole will be a Steve Rogers variant,I think these references lend further credence to that assumption. It’s one thing having Chris Evans return to portray a completely different character, but another entirely to precede such a return with repeated references to his most famous role. Johnny Storm’s arrival inDeadpool & Wolverine, for instance, was part of an expertly crafted joke that will likely remain in that irreverent, meta territory and not be brought up again.
Captain America Movies In Order: How To Watch Steve Rogers' Films
Chris Evans' eight-year-long career with Marvel Studios saw him portray Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, in several major MCU projects.
On the other hand, if Chris Evans is portraying another character entirely, then I think Marvel can still capitalize on years' worth of references. The MCU is about to highlight the vast implications of the multiverse in the Multiverse Saga’s final phase, and if Evans returns to face Sam and Bucky again as another character, thenit needs to address his resemblance to Earth-616’s Steve Rogers in a fittingly emotional way. Still, I’m convinced that there is one route that the MCU must take with Evans' return - and that is making him a variant.
Chris Evans' MCU Return Must Be As A Marvel Villain To Make The Most Of The MCU’s References
A Villainous Captain America Would Carry A Lot Of Weight
The manyreferences to Steve Rogers in the Multiverse Saga all share a particular standout feature in highlighting his virtues. Even the humorous reference to Steve Rogers' sex life inShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawis borne out of Jen’s disbelief that the incorruptible Steve Rogers might have a carnal side. It is what defines him and separates him from the likes of Tony Stark, whose heroism is still marred by certain foibles that make it easier to see his variant taking the wrong path and becoming Doctor Doom.
How Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom Can Still Be A Tony Stark Variant Explained In Shocking MCU Theory
A shocking new MCU theory could explain how Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom can be both Victor Von Doom and a Tony Stark variant in Phase 6.
It’s far harder to see Steve Rogers take that path, which would increase the emotional impactof seeing a villainous Rogers on-screen. Watching this variant capitalize on Steve Rogers' righteous legacy in order to manipulate and overcome his opponents would be tragic, but it would uplift Earth-616’s Steve Rogers by comparison. It isn’t even as ifAvengers: Doomsdaywould have to work particularly hard to deliver a character as unique as Doom, as an evil Captain America is so beyond the pale that it works on its own.
The prevailing theory surrounding Evans' return is that he will portray Hydra Supreme, a Steve Rogers variant who, as the moniker suggests, fights for Hydra’s interests and poses as Captain America to further his nefarious goals.
Thankfully, there is a comic book precedent for exactly that.The prevailing theory surrounding Evans' return is that he will portray Hydra Supreme, a Steve Rogers variant who, as the moniker suggests, fights for Hydra’s interests and poses as Captain America to further his nefarious goals. Given Marvel Studios has already introduced Evans in another role that isn’t Cap with Johnny Storm, I feel as though it would be almost nonsensical for theMCUto not take advantage of this opportunity before it potentially sidelines multiversal narratives altogether.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
