Chris Evans, the star of the Captain America films, has definitively stated that he will not be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) for Avengers: Doomsday or any other future projects, despite recent reports suggesting otherwise. Evans directly refuted a Deadline article claiming his return alongside Robert Downey Jr., calling the report "not true."
This denial follows comments from Anthony Mackie, the current Captain America, who initially stated his manager informed him of Evans' return. However, Mackie later clarified that Evans himself confirmed he is "happily retired" from the MCU. When Esquire magazine presented Evans with this conflicting information, he firmly reiterated his retirement from the role. This isn't the first time such rumors have circulated since Avengers: Endgame, but Evans has chosen to remain silent on the matter in the past.
While Evans has returned to the Marvel universe in a comedic cameo as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine, this was a significantly smaller role compared to his leading performance as Captain America.
The MCU's future remains somewhat uncertain following the removal of Jonathan Majors from the franchise after his assault and harassment conviction. Majors was set to play Kang the Conqueror, a character intended to be the MCU's next Thanos-level villain. His departure has seemingly caused a shift in the franchise's direction.
Marvel Studios has announced Doctor Doom as the new antagonist, played by Robert Downey Jr. This announcement fueled speculation about the return of other original Avengers, although nothing beyond Downey Jr.'s casting has been officially confirmed.
Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Strange, has confirmed his character's absence from Avengers: Doomsday, but will have a "central role" in its sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars. The Russo Brothers are directing Avengers: Doomsday, which will reportedly continue the multiverse storyline and feature Hayley Atwell's Agent Carter.
