I modified my thoughts, Chris Evans' return to the MCU was truly completely arrange, as Marvel didn't let Steve Rogers die completely after the top of the sport

I'll have initially been apprehensive about Chris Evans' return, however after reflecting on how a lot UCM has saved Steve Rogers' legacy alive since Avengers: Endgame​​​​​​, I modified my thoughts. Captain America's story within the MCU apparently got here to an finish in Avengers: Endgame after the chief of the Avengers lived a protracted and pleased life with Peggy Carter, rising outdated and bequeathing his iconic defend and cloak to Sam Wilson. Since then, his whereabouts have been the topic of hypothesis, though this can possible be addressed in Captain America: Courageous New World in February.

Regardless of the case, it's in all probability secure to say that Earth-616's Steve Rogers is gone from the MCU. Nevertheless, it was lately reported that Chris Evans will return in Avengers: Judgment Day reverse Robert Downey Jr.'s Physician Doom. His position is but to be confirmed, however this has sparked a firestorm of hypothesis, as Robert Downey Jr. won't be enjoying Tony Stark (though Doom may nonetheless be a variant of Stark). Together with this hypothesis is a wholesome dose of skepticism, as a big contingent of MCU followers categorical issues about Marvel's motives.

Chris Evans and RDJ's MCU Return Was Criticized as Low-cost Nostalgia Bait

Some consider Marvel has run out of concepts

Whereas there's no denying that Robert Downey Jr.'s face reveal at San Diego Comedian-Con created an electrical environment, it didn't take lengthy for a way of trepidation to emerge. It's arduous to disregard the announcement's proximity to the MCU's less-than-ideal 2023, which has led many to theorize that Marvel forged its most bankable actor because the Multiverse Saga's arch-villain to assist recoup its losses. This can be a cynical studying, however it's arduous to disregard Tony Stark's significance to the MCU. It's not like Marvel is recasting a comparatively minor MCU actor.

This reticence was intensified with the announcement that Chris Evans would additionally return. For a lot of, It began to appear like Marvel Studios was working out of concepts and bringing again the principle heroes of the Infinity Saga as nostalgia bait to vary the franchise's fortunes. The truth that the MCU seemingly moved away from Kang as the most recent arch-villain was additionally notable, because it appeared just like the studio was buying and selling new concepts for outdated ones. That stated, I'm beginning to assume Evans' return was the plan all alongside.

The MCU has saved Steve Rogers' reminiscence alive since Avengers: Endgame

Steve Rogers has been talked about yearly since

Chris Evans' Steve Rogers could also be out of sight for the time being, however he's actually not out of thoughts. In reality, the MCU references Steve Rogers at the very least annually since your Avengers: Endgame departure, with the plain exception of 2020, as Marvel hasn't launched any motion pictures or reveals. Whereas the frequency of those references might have decreased since 2021, when he was referenced in 5 separate MCU productions, Marvel Studios wasted no time in nodding to Steve Rogers' legacy in 2025, with a reference featured within the lately launched Daredevil: Born Once more trailer.

It's logical that Captain America: Courageous New World can even closely reference Rogers all through the movie, though the trailer already reveals President Ross invoking his title at the very least as soon as. Many of those references are because of Rogers: The Musical a part of New York's furnishings, however it's arduous to disregard the present's prevalence. it one other method, If Marvel Studios wished to focus on its newer characters much more, then it may need been sensible for the franchise to keep away from so many nods to retired characters..

The Many Steve Rogers References in Phases 4 and 5 of the MCU Set Up the Return of Chris Evans

Marvel seems to be working to maintain Steve Rogers related

As an alternative, it nearly looks as if the MCU has been holding Cap within the zeitgeist on function. Captain America: Courageous New World will likely be launched nearly six years later Avengers: Endgame however it is going to discover Cap's legacy in the identical method that Spider-Man: Far From Dwelling I did with Iron Man. In any case, Marvel Studios has a protracted custom of teasing upcoming plots – the obvious being via post-credits scenes. Now I'm questioning if that is what the studio supposed with these references, used to announce Cap's return sooner or later.

Though there is no such thing as a affirmation whether or not Chris Evans Avengers: Judgment Day the position will likely be a variant of Steve Rogers, I feel these references give extra credibility to this assumption. It's one factor to have Chris Evans return to play a totally completely different character, however one other completely to precede that return with repeated references to his most well-known position. Johnny Storm's arrival in Deadpool and Wolverinefor instance, it was a part of a cleverly crafted joke that may possible stay in that irreverent meta-territory and never be talked about once more.

However, if Chris Evans is enjoying one other character, then I feel Marvel can nonetheless capitalize on years of references. The MCU is about to focus on the huge implications of the multiverse within the closing part of the Multiverse Saga, and if Evans returns to face Sam and Bucky once more as one other character, then wants to handle his resemblance to Earth-616's Steve Rogers in an appropriately emotional method. Nonetheless, I'm satisfied there's a path the MCU ought to take with Evans' return - and that's by making him a variant.

Chris Evans' return within the MCU ought to be as a Marvel villain to take advantage of MCU references

A Captain America villain would carry numerous weight

The numerous references to Steve Rogers within the Multiverse Saga share a specific distinguished characteristic in highlighting his virtues. Even the humorous reference to Steve Rogers' intercourse life in She-Hulk: Lawyer It stems from Jen's disbelief that the incorruptible Steve Rogers may need a carnal aspect. It's what defines him and separates him from the likes of Tony Stark, whose heroism continues to be marked by sure weaknesses that make it simpler to see his variant taking the incorrect path and changing into Physician Doom.

It's a lot tougher to see Steve Rogers go this route, which might improve the emotional impression of seeing a villainous Rogers on display. Watching this variant capitalize on Steve Rogers' righteous legacy to control and outwit his opponents could be tragic, however compared, it might elevate the Steve Rogers of Earth-616. It's not even like Avengers: Judgment Day must work very arduous to ship a personality as distinctive as Doom, as an evil Captain America is to this point past the pale that he works on his personal.

Happily, there may be comedian guide precedent for precisely this. The prevailing concept surrounding Evans' return is that he'll play Hydra Supremea variant of Steve Rogers who, as his nickname suggests, fights for Hydra's pursuits and poses as Captain America to additional his nefarious objectives. Provided that Marvel Studios has already featured Evans in a job aside from Cap with Johnny Storm, I really feel like it might nearly be absurd for the UCM not seize this chance earlier than it probably sidelines multiversal narratives.