If Avengers: Endgame was the culmination of 11 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then Avengers: Doomsday is the final chapter of live-action Marvel adaptations as a whole. Back in the year 2000, it would've been impossible to predict that the heroes and villains of the first X-Men movie would make an explosive comeback on the big screen more than 25 years later. However, everything's possible thanks to the multiverse, and audiences could see shocking surprises every step of the way. Unfortunately, just because anyone could appear in the highly anticipated crossover, it doesn't mean that everyone will be there.
While the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement revealed that iconic heroes like the Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four are about to steal the spotlight, it also raised a few eyebrows. Fan favorites such as Spider-Man, Hulk, and Wanda Maximoff were nowhere to be found despite most of us taking their inevitable returns for granted. Now, no one is truly sure whether any of them will appear in the final cut of the film.
To make matters worse, the fate of other characters has been a bit more drastic and decisive. Marvel actors have officially confirmed they will be skipping the crossover altogether, and one of them has been present since the very inception of the MCU.
Chris Evans talks about not coming back for Avengers: Doomsday
Back in December 2024, Deadline reported that Chris Evans would return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday. The internet exploded right then and there, as everyone was excited to see "The First Avenger" back in action once again. There wasn't a single doubt that a big comeback was imminent, as Chris had just reprised his role as the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine. Unfortunately, fans celebrated a bit too early, as the former Marvel star later confirmed that he isn't returning in Earth's Mightiest Heroes' upcoming adventure.
Steve Rogers has been present in all four Avengers movies released so far, so there's no denying that fans will definitely feel his absence in the MCU's next big crossover. However, they aren't the only ones who are feeling a little bit heartbroken about the whole situation. During an interview with Screen Rant, Chris Evans was asked if he's spoken to the Russo brothers since they were brought back to direct Avengers: Doomsday, to which he responded:
"Yeah, I talk to them all the time. It's where Pedro is right now. I mean, it's sad to be away. It's sad to not be back with the band, but I'm sure they're doing something incredible, and I'm sure it's going to be that much harder when it comes out and you feel like you weren't invited to the party."
Who is cutting onions?
First and foremost: This seems to confirm once and for all that Steve Rogers and the original Human Torch won't be coming back in Avengers: Doomsday. Could Evans simply be trying to mislead us to preserve the surprise? Well, that's exactly what Andrew Garfield did prior to the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, so there's certainly a chance. However, until an official source says otherwise, we'd be better off keeping our expectations in check and assuming that Chris is simply telling the truth.
But why would such an important character like Steve Rogers be absent now that the multiverse could bring him back in a heartbeat? Well, it's important to remember that Avengers: Doomsday isn't the definite conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, but merely the beginning of the end. Rumor has it that the movie will conclude with Doctor Doom forming Battleworld, which is an amalgamation of every Marvel universe in existence. Such a story would then be followed up in Avengers: Secret Wars, which is the true culmination of everything Marvel's built so far.
With that in mind, it seems like the shocking comebacks may come later down the line. Of course, fans would love to see Chris Evans appear in both crossovers without a doubt. However, looking at the bigger picture, it makes sense for him to return in the bigger adventure when the stakes are at an all-time high and different realities have united into one. On the bright side, there isn't a huge wait between Avengers: Doomsday and its follow-up, so we won't have to wait long to potentially see him one last time. So, let's just hope that the Russo brothers take him into consideration for Secret Wars so that fans can see him wield the shield before the door is closed for good.
Avengers: Doomsday will be released on Dec. 18, 2026.