Chris Evans is poised to make a highly anticipated comeback in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with his role in Avengers: Doomsday. This return may finally bring to fruition a nine-year-old teaser from the 2015 film, Avengers: Age of Ultron. Following his recent portrayal of Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine, Evans’ next role will see him acting alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and an ensemble of MCU heroes in the Russo brothers’ upcoming 2026 feature. However, this new chapter might explore a darker facet of Evans’ iconic Captain America character.
The specific details regarding Chris Evans’ character in Avengers: Doomsday remain undisclosed, igniting speculation and theories within the fanbase. While some believe he will reprise his role as Steve Rogers, others think he might embody a different character altogether. With Robert Downey Jr. transitioning from Iron Man to the malevolent Doctor Doom, it’s plausible that additional MCU veterans will return in more sinister roles. One of the most intriguing theories suggests that Chris Evans could portray a villainous Captain America, potentially capitalizing on hints dropped in Phase 2.
Chris Evans’ Popular Theories Suggest An Evil Captain America Emergence
Chris Evans Could Transform into HYDRA’s Captain America
Emulating Robert Downey Jr.’s foray into villainy, there is significant discourse around Evans potentially portraying a corrupted version of Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday. In 2016, Marvel Comics introduced a compelling narrative featuring an alternate reality version of Steve Rogers, one that was indoctrinated into HYDRA at a young age. This malevolent Steve Rogers replaced the original Captain America, leveraging his position to restore HYDRA’s reign over the Marvel universe. This character offers an exciting and fresh challenge for Chris Evans in the upcoming film.
The MCU’s Dark Captain America: A Nod to Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Hints of Steve Rogers’ Dark Side in Avengers: Age of Ultron
While Avengers: Age of Ultron may not have specifically set the stage for Evans’ transformation into a villain, a particular exchange between characters could foreshadow this intriguing shift. During a scene where Tony Stark and Steve Rogers discuss the complexities of secrecy and the manipulative influence of Scarlet Witch among the Avengers, Stark remarks on Rogers’ trustworthy nature. He states, “I don’t trust a guy without a dark side,”to which Rogers cryptically responds, indicating that perhaps his darker elements have yet to be revealed. This enigmatic dialogue could foreshadow the fruition of an evil Captain America arc.
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This moment may have been somewhat fulfilled in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, which showcased the ideological rift between Captain America and Iron Man, with the Winter Soldier, Bucky Barnes, embroiled in their conflict. Nonetheless, Civil War didn’t adequately explore Rogers’ supposed “dark side.”In contrast, Avengers: Doomsday now has the distinct opportunity to fully flesh out this narrative, revealing Steve Rogers as a HYDRA-influenced villainous version of Captain America who could serve as a formidable threat in Phase 6.
Robert Downey Jr. & Chris Evans’ Reunion Promises Thrills in Avengers: Doomsday
Robert Downey Jr. Now Takes on the Role of Doctor Doom
The evolution of the relationship between Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark and Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers has always been a highlight across the Infinity Saga. Marvel Studios has the chance to capture a similarly impactful dynamic with their respective characters in Avengers: Doomsday, particularly if both are depicted as formidable antagonists. Speculation surrounding their roles suggest a possible introduction of an evil Avengers team, which would deviate from the heroic lineup fans have come to adore, allowing Evans and Downey Jr. to portray characters once more in opposition to each other.
Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the MCU was confirmed during the Marvel Studios presentation at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in July 2024, alongside revelations about the Russo brothers’ directorial return for both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. Both stars bid farewell to their iconic roles in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, where both Tony Stark and Steve Rogers experienced emotionally resonant conclusions. While it would be ill-advised to erase these significant arcs, introducing Downey Jr. and Evans as twisted, villainous iterations of their former selves presents an intriguing workaround. As the release of Avengers: Doomsday approaches in 2026, excitement for the reunion of these celebrated actors is palpable.