Summary
- Chris Evans’ denial of returning as Captain America aligns with past Marvel actors’ denials, yet many have made surprise returns.
- Studios enforce NDAs to prevent spoilers, making it easier for actors to deny involvement to maintain secrecy.
- Multiverse allows for Evans’ return as alternate Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday, given his importance to the MCU.
Chris Evans has made it clear that he considers himself “retired” from playing Captain America and that he won’t be appearing in Avengers: Doomsday. However, fans who have been following the MCU for years know better than to take an actor’s words at face value. The MCU has a long history of actors downplaying or outright denying their involvement in upcoming projects, only to later make a grand return. Evans himself once said he was done with Marvel, yet he appeared in Deadpool & Wolverine.
So when Evans says he won’t be returning as Captain America, should fans really believe him? With Marvel’s penchant for surprise cameos and the ever-expanding multiverse, it’s worth questioning whether his denial is genuine—or just another attempt to keep a secret under wraps.
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Chris Evans Might Not Be Trustworthy on Avengers: Doomsday
Evans’ insistence that his time as Captain America is over is nothing new. His recent denial regarding Avengers: Doomsday follows a pattern seen in past Marvel projects. Before Spider-Man: No Way Home, both Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire repeatedly insisted they were not part of the film, only for them to show up in one of the most iconic superhero crossovers in movie history. Similarly, Patrick Stewart downplayed his involvement in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, only for fans to hear his unmistakable voice in the trailer.
Part of this could be strategic. Studios often enforce strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to ensure actors don’t spill major plot details or surprises before a movie’s release. If Evans were to return for Avengers: Doomsday, he wouldn’t be able to confirm it until Marvel gives him the green light. Instead, it’s much easier for him to simply deny involvement altogether, as it creates plausible deniability while keeping the mystery intact.
Another reason to doubt Evans’ words is the nature of the MCU itself. With the multiverse now in full effect, the possibilities for his return aren’t limited to the Steve Rogers we last saw in Avengers: Endgame. Marvel has introduced numerous alternate versions of characters, including variants of Loki, Kang, and even Spider-Man. This opens the door for Evans to return as a different Captain America, perhaps even one from another universe, without undoing the emotional conclusion of his arc in Endgame.
This opens the door for Evans to return as a different Captain America, perhaps even one from another universe, without undoing the emotional conclusion of his arc in Endgame.
Given the importance of Captain America to the Avengers, it’s hard to believe Marvel wouldn’t at least consider bringing Evans back in some capacity. His version of Steve Rogers was the heart of the Infinity Saga, and with Avengers: Doomsday expected to be a major culmination event, the chances of seeing him again feel stronger than ever.
Marvel Might Want A Surprise
Marvel Studios has built a reputation for jaw-dropping surprises. Whether it’s the unexpected return of long-gone characters, shocking cameos, or major plot twists, the studio knows how to keep audiences on their toes. If Evans were to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, keeping it under wraps until the movie’s release would be the best way to maximize its impact.
Marvel has employed this strategy before. When Spider-Man: No Way Home was in production, Garfield and Maguire denied their involvement so vehemently that even the most dedicated fans started to doubt the rumors—only for the film to deliver a historic moment when all three live-action Spider-Men shared the screen.
There are also narrative reasons for Evans to return. If Avengers: Doomsday is building up to a massive multiversal threat, it would make sense to bring back key legacy characters, even if just for a brief appearance. This could involve a variant of Captain America, a flashback sequence, or even a moment where Steve Rogers is consulted in some way. Given that Marvel has shown a willingness to bring back retired actors for multiversal storylines (Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine for one) it would be a missed opportunity not to consider Evans for a similar treatment.
Denials Don’t Mean No in the Movie Business
History has proven that actors in Hollywood often have to lie about their involvement in major films.
The aforementioned Garfield and Maguire are two of the most recent examples. However, they’re not the only ones by far. Benedict Cumberbatch denied his role as Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness Even when fans accurately guessed that Cumberbatch was playing the iconic villain. Marion Cotillard denied her role as Talia al Ghul in The Dark Knight Rises despite numerous reports that she was playing the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul until the truth was revealed in the movie.
If Avengers: Doomsday is meant to be a culmination event akin to Avengers: Endgame, then it’s highly likely Marvel will want to bring back some of its most iconic heroes for one last stand. And even if Evans isn’t the primary Captain America in the film, a brief appearance—whether through time travel, a multiverse variant, or a flashback—feels almost inevitable.
Avengers: Doomsday
- Release Date
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May 1, 2026
- Writers
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Michael Waldron
Cast
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