January 31, 2025: Chris Evans has officially shut down rumors about his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), specifically for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Speaking with Esquire for a cover story on Anthony Mackie, Evans, who famously portrayed Steve Rogers/Captain America, made it clear that he is not coming back for the new Avengers installment.
Evans has consistently brushed aside these rumors since his retirement in 2019 following Avengers: Endgame. He expressed in the conversation, “That’s not true, though. This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple of years — ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it. Yeah, no — happily retired!”
Despite multiple fan theories and speculations, Evans remains firm on his decision to step away from the iconic role. Meanwhile, Mackie, who will take center stage as the new Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday, shared that he had recently spoken to Evans and there was no mention of a return. “I talked to Chris a few weeks ago and it wasn’t on the table then,” Mackie said, adding that Evans did not hint at any involvement in the upcoming film.
While Evans’ return is off the table, Avengers: Doomsday, slated for a May 1, 2026 release, is still expected to feature a star-studded ensemble, including Robert Downey Jr. in a completely different role as Doctor Doom. Directed by the Russo Brothers, the film will explore a multi-universe adventure, featuring a fresh batch of heroes including the new Fantastic Four cast — Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach — joining the Avengers team.
Although Evans’ return as Captain America is not on the cards, the future of the MCU looks bright, with Avengers: Doomsday and the subsequent Avengers: Secret Wars scheduled for 2027. Fans can look forward to these films bringing back fan-favorite characters and introducing new faces to the ever-expanding universe.