I might have been initially apprehensive about Chris Evans’ return, but after reflecting on how much the MCU kept the legacy of Steve Rogers alive since Avengers: Endgame​​​​​​, I’ve changed my mind. Captain America’s MCU story ostensibly came to an end in Avengers: Endgame after 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 in Captain America: Brave New World in February.

Whatever the case, it’s probably safe to say that Earth-616’s Steve Rogers has bowed out of the MCU. Yet it was recently reported that Chris Evans will return in Avengers: Doomsday alongside 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 to the MCU’s suboptimal 2023, which has led more than a few to theorize that Marvel 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 ignore Tony Stark’s importance to the MCU. It isn’t as if Marvel is re-casting a relatively minor MCU actor.

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 Saga as 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 year since his Avengers: Endgame departure, 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 the recently released Daredevil: Born Again trailer.

It stands to reason that Captain America: Brave New World will 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 to Rogers: The Musical being 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 World will be released almost six years after Avengers: Endgame but will explore Cap’s legacy similarly to how Spider-Man: Far From Home did 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 if that’s what the studio intended with these references, utilized to herald Cap’s return down the line.

While there is no confirmation on whether Chris Evans’ Avengers: Doomsday role will be a Steve Rogers variant, I think these references lend further credence to that ᴀssumption. 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 in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & 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.

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, then it 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 many references to Steve Rogers in the Multiverse Saga all share a particular standout feature in highlighting his virtues. Even the humorous reference to Steve Rogers’ Sєx life in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law is 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.

It’s far harder to see Steve Rogers take that path, which would increase the emotional impact of 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 if Avengers: Doomsday would 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.

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 the MCU to not take advantage of this opportunity before it potentially sidelines multiversal narratives altogether.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Captain America: Brave New World

  Release Date

  
  February 14, 2025
  

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027