What do we know about Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Doomsday? Really! First, Benedict Cumberbatch says he won’t return as Doctor Strange, only to then immediately walk those comments back. Now, weeks after some of the Hollywood trades reported Chris Evans would be making his Marvel return in that event film, the actor himself denies the chatter.
The Wrap was the first to report in December that Evans planned to return for Avengers: Doomsday, though it wasn’t specified what role he would play. Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, and Variety then reported the same.
“That’s not true, though,” Evans told Esquire for a January cover story. “This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years — ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it.” He then repeated, “Yeah, no — happily retired.”
Also speaking with Esquire, Anthony Mackie, whose Marvel character, Sam Wilson, now holds the moniker of Captain America, commented on those reports, as well. “I talked to Chris a few weeks ago and it wasn’t on the table then,” he said. “At least, he didn’t tell me it was on the table, because I asked him. I was like, ‘You know, they said they’re bringing everyone back for the movie. Are you coming back?’ He goes, ‘Oh, you know, I’m happily retired.’”
Evans was last seen as Captain America/Steve Rogers in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. In that film, his character bequeathed his signature vibranium shield to Mackie’s Sam. Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier officially knighted Sam as the new Cap, and his story continues in next month’s movie Captain America: Brave New World.
It’s admittedly difficult to take actors at their word these days, especially ones involved in Marvel projects. Some, like Andrew Garfield and Dafne Keen, talked about lying to reporters about their involvement in various projects. So perhaps we’ll just have to wait and see who’s telling the truth when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on May 1, 2026.
At the very least, we know Robert Downey Jr. will return to Marvel to now star as the villain of Doomsday, Victor von Doom. Joe and Anthony Russo, who previously helmed some of Marvel’s most lucrative event films, including Avengers: Endgame, are returning to direct both Doomsday and the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars.
Meanwhile, Evans did return to Marvel for an appearance as a different character in last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
