Chris Evans' film career following his departure from the MCU in 2019 has made his return to Marvel Studios in the upcoming 2026 film Avengers: Judgment Day practically inevitable. Five years ago, Chris Evans made what appeared to be his final appearance in the MCU as an older version of Steve Rogers passing the Captain America mantle and shield to Sam Wilson at the end of Avengers: Endgame. 2024 Deadpool and Wolverine dragged him back into the MCU as Johnny Storm's Human Torch, however, and now it's been revealed that he'll return for the upcoming Phase 6 crossover event, Avengers: Judgment Day.
On December 9th, The wrap reported that Chris Evans will return to the MCU in Avengers: Judgment Dayalthough the extent and nature of his role has not been revealed. Chris Evans could reprise his iconic role as Steve Rogers' Captain America, although there has also been speculation that he would portray an evil version of HYDRA's Cap, Johnny Storm, or an entirely new character. Evans follows in the footsteps of the Russo brothers and Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Judgment Dayall with similar professional trajectories after Avengers: Endgame.
Chris Evans' post-Endgame movies have been a mixed bag
Chris Evans had 8 main film roles after Avengers: Endgame
Chris Evans' film career after leaving the MCU in Avengers: Endgame followed an unusual and unpredictable trajectory, although it mostly consisted of poorly received box office disappointments. This is difficult to reconcile, as Chris Evans is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, with his eight-year run as Captain America making him a household name. However, following End of the gameEvans' only truly successful projects were those in 2019 Knives out and 2024 Deadpool and Wolverinewho only introduced him for a few minutes.
|
Chris Evan's Post-Endgame Movie |
Release date |
RT Critics |
Public RT |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Red Sea diving resort |
July 31, 2019 |
28% |
77% |
|
Knives out |
November 27, 2019 |
97% |
92% |
|
Light year |
June 17, 2022 |
74% |
84% |
|
The Gray Man |
July 15, 2022 |
45% |
90% |
|
Ghost |
April 21, 2023 |
25% |
55% |
|
Pain Traffickers |
October 20, 2023 |
23% |
65% |
|
Deadpool and Wolverine |
July 26, 2024 |
78% |
94% |
|
Red |
November 15, 2024 |
31% |
90% |
Chris Evans' only well-received projects after End of the gameand he was Knives out, Deadpool and Wolverine and 2022 Light yearalthough the latter became a huge box office bomb following the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, Red Sea Dive Resort, Ghosted, Pain Hustlers and the recent Red were panned by critics, while The Gray Man received a mixed response. This overwhelmingly negative reception to the post-Avengers: Endgame the work was shocking, but it may have led him back into the arms of Marvel Studios.
Chris Evans' best-received post-finale role was in Deadpool and Wolverine
Chris Evans reprized his classic role of Johnny Storm in Deadpool and Wolverine
Chris Evans' Performance as the Villain in Rian Johnson's 2019 Murder Mystery Knives out was very well received, but It would be easy to argue that Evans' most well-received appearance after Avengers: Endgame was in Deadpool and Wolverine. The MCU Phase 5 sequel starred Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as returning mutant heroes and provided the opportunity for several classic Marvel heroes to return. This included Jennifer Garner's Elektra, Wesley Snipes' Blade, and Chris Evans as Johnny Storm's Human Torch from the 20th Century Fox film. Fantastic Four duology.
Even though Chris Evans only appeared in Deadpool and Wolverine for a few moments before Emma Corrin's Cassandra Nova relieved Johnny Storm of his skin, his return to the MCU as the Human Torch received much praise. It seemed like an unattainable dream for many who wanted to see Evans return as Johnny Storm, but seeing him back in action after 17 years was exciting. This only added to the evidence that Chris Evans excels in the MCU, seemingly in any role given to him.then Deadpool and Wolverine perhaps made his most recent return confirmation inevitable.
Chris Evans' Post-Endgame Roles Made His Avengers' Return Inevitable
Chris Evans' role in Avengers: Doomsday has not been revealed
Chris Evans had few major successes before joining the MCU as Captain America, and has seen diminishing returns in the years since his departure in 2019, so his new return to the MCU in Avengers: Judgment Day seems to be the most sensible choice for the actor. As Steve Rogers, Evans was involved in some of the most successful and highest-grossing films of all timebut he didn't really use it as leverage to improve his position after his departure from the MCU. He could now do this after 2026 Avengers: Judgment Day.
With the Russo brothers returning to direct Avengers: Judgment Day and Robert Downey Jr. set to star as the film's main villain, Doctor Doom, the Phase 6 crossover film is shaping up to equal or surpass the success of Infinity War and End of the game. The casts of The Fantastic Four: Getting Started and Rays*as well as Anthony Mackie, have also been confirmed to return to Judgment Dayso Evans will be among a reputable company. Hopefully, Evans' return to the MCU in Avengers: Judgment Day will usher in a new era of success in the actor's career.
RDJ and the Russo brothers also fought after the game ended
Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers also left Marvel Studios after Endgame
Chris Evans isn't the only star who has been involved in lackluster projects after his heyday Avengers: Endgameas returning directors, the Russo brothers and actor Robert Downey Jr. have also fallen victim to this pattern. passed from End of the game for the disappointing 2020 Dolittlebut later recovered with the enormous success Oppenheimer in 2023which even earned him his first Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. The Russo brothers directed Cherry the gray man and TV series Citadel in the years since End of the gameall of which received mixed reviews.
It seems that these creatives perhaps consider Marvel Studios a safe space and a safe bet, as they all have years of experience working with Marvel and are extremely popular among the MCU's massive fanbase. The Russo brothers and Robert Downey Jr. were confirmed to be returning to the MCU during 2024's SDCC, and their returns paved the way for Chris Evans to inevitably return as well. There are currently few details about Chris Evans' return in Avengers: Judgment DayBut however he returns, this will be an extremely exciting development for both the MCU and his own career.
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face Victor von Doom – played by the returned Robert DOwney Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
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- Release date
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February 14, 2025
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Rays*
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- Release date
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July 25, 2025
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- Release date
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July 24, 2026