Two beloved MCU actors need to have their on-screen reunion despite one of them insisting that he’s retired. The franchise has come a very long way since its humble beginnings in 2008, but no matter how much the story progresses, Phase 1 will always hold a special place in most fans’ hearts. That era is responsible for introducing the original six Avengers who have become iconic characters in their own right. Often regarded as the two leaders of the superhero team, Iron Man and Captain America are essentially the MCU’s representative characters.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America may not be active in the MCU at this point, but their performances will always be remembered. The characters have become synonymous with both actors’ respective careers, and they helped pave the way for future MCU generations. Though both characters are incredibly strong and independent, they actually worked best when they were on-screen together. Whether it was Iron Man working together with Captain America or Tony Stark bantering with Steve Rogers, Downey Jr. and Evans’ chemistry was undeniable.
RDJ’s Comments About Chris Evans Are A Perfect Reminder Of Why They Led The MCU
While promoting his 2020 movie Dolittle, Downey Jr. appeared on an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. He was asked about castmate chemistry and how he went about building it, and Downey Jr. explained that it comes naturally most of the time. He brought up former MCU castmate Evans as an example of someone he loved working with, praising his acting abilities and his personality. He went on to say that Captain America: Civil War was a highlight film for the MCU as it saw the two strong individuals go head-to-head. Read his full quote below:
“I adore Chris Evans. I can’t even tell you why. A Boston guy, technically such a brilliant actor but also doesn’t take himself seriously. He’s flaky but he’s the first guy you would want to have your back if something went down. And yet, we’re different enough where I feel like by being who we are and both having those characters…I thought Civil War was a special moment in the arc of the Marvel films about turning one against the other and what it meant.”
There’s no denying that the chemistry that Downey Jr. had with Evans was special. The two were able to present such vastly different characters who initially clashed, yet eventually grew to become trusted teammates. There’s a reason why Iron Man and Captain America were seen as the leaders of the MCU, and that’s because of Downey Jr. and Evans’ ability to command the screen together. Even after Captain America: Civil War, when the two characters were on poor terms, they still managed to bounce back in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame to recreate their original chemistry.
Chris Evans Has Said He’s Retired But Marvel Needs To Bring Him Back
MCU fans are well aware that Downey Jr. will be returning to the franchise, just not in his beloved role. Playing a villain in Doctor Doom will allow the actor to show off a new side to him, as well as create a new sort of chemistry with his co-stars. However, it would still be amazing to see him reunite with Evans on-screen once more. Despite conflicting reports about whether he’d be returning for Doomsday or not, Evans finally spoke about it in a comment to Esquire, saying:
“That’s not true, though. This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years—ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it…Yeah, no—happily retired!”
Of course, Marvel actors have denied allegations before just to make their eventual appearance all the more surprising, and this could potentially be the case with Evans. No matter if he’s playing the elderly Steve Rogers, a variant of Captain America, or a new character completely, Marvel would be smart to get him back. He’s already a huge draw for the franchise and now that Downey Jr.’s returning to the MCU, it seems all the more possible—and necessary.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
$6
- Created by
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Kevin Feige
- First Film
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Iron Man
- Upcoming Films
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ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts*, Blade (2025), The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Avengers: Doomsday (2026), Avengers: Secret Wars
- First TV Show
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Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Upcoming TV Shows
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Agatha: Coven of Chaos, Ironheart, Daredevil: Born Again, Wakanda, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Marvel Zombies, Wonder Man, Vision Quest
- Cast
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Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Paul Rudd, Tom Holland, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Brie Larson, Chadwick Boseman, Sebastian Stan, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Pom Klementieff, Josh Brolin, Karen Gillan, Clark Gregg, Paul Bettany, Don Cheadle, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Simu Liu, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Angelina Jolie, Kit Harington, Salma Hayek, Richard Madden, Barry Keoghan, Gemma Chan, Ma Dong-seok, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Lia McHugh, Jonathan Majors
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Upcoming MCU Movies
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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MCU Spider-Man 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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