In two weeks, Marvel's first movie of the year, Captain America: New World Order, will be released, where the title role of the superhero will be played by Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson. In a recent interview, the actor was asked about the rumor that Chris Evans would return to the MCU in Avengers 5, or Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected in 2026. Mackie said that his predecessor and colleague denied this information when they last spoke, and Evans himself also denied the rumor.
“I didn’t know about it,” Mackie replied to Esquire’s question. “I talked to Chris a few weeks ago, and it wasn’t mentioned at that time. Or at least he didn’t say that it was on the table, although I did ask. I asked him, ‘Did you know that apparently they’re bringing everyone back for that movie? Are you coming back too?’ He said, ‘Oh, you know, I’m a happy retiree.’”
Evans’ return hasn’t been officially announced by Marvel, but in December, Deadline reported on it based on insider information. The outlet doesn't usually spread baseless rumors, and bringing the actor back didn’t seem impossible, especially since Robert Downey Jr. is also returning, most likely in Doomsday, but not as Tony Stark/Iron Man, rather as Doctor Doom.
Since Evans also returned to the franchise last year in Deadpool & Wolverine, playing another character (reprising his role as the Human Torch from the pre-MCU Fantastic Four films), he could potentially play two different heroes in the Multiverse Saga's conclusion (the Human Torch will be played by Joseph Quinn in the MCU’s Fantastic Four, arriving this summer). Esquire also asked Evans about the return, and he didn’t confirm the rumors:
“It’s not true. This always happens. I mean, it comes up every few years, since Endgame. I just don’t even respond anymore. So no, I’m a happy retiree,” Evans told the magazine, but with the MCU, we can’t be sure of anything even after such denials—just remember Andrew Garfield’s “performance” before No Way Home.
