Chris Evans has revealed why he finally felt ready to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Steve Rogers/Captain America in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ after more than five years away from the role. The 45-year-old actor, who last played the star-spangled hero in 2019’s ‘Avengers: Endgame’, explained that he rejected multiple project pitches over eight years before the right combination of creative forces and returning stars aligned to bring him back into the fold.According to Entertainment Weekly, Chris Evans spoke with Gerrad Hall at San Diego Comic-Con about his journey back to the MCU. The actor revealed that Lou D’Esposito and Kevin Feige first approached him about continuing Steve Rogers’ story immediately after ‘Endgame’ wrapped in 2018, with the Marvel bosses proposing to explore the character as Nomad, an alternate identity Steve Rogers adopted in comic book canon.
Why Chris Evans rejected multiple Captain America return pitches
“When we finished Endgame in 2018, Lou and Kevin took me to dinner, and they were like, ‘We’d love to keep doing movies with Steve Rogers as Nomad,'” Chris Evans recalled. “And I said, ‘Okay, well, what do you got?'”
Chris Evans revealed that after turning down multiple Marvel pitches, Robert Downey Jr.’s return and the Russo brothers’ vision convinced him to reprise Steve Rogers.Image credit (Instagram)
The Marvel executives arrived prepared with creative concepts. “They showed me a pitch, and it was a great pitch, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t feel right at the time,” Chris Evans said. “I kind of wanted to preserve it. But I just said, ‘Please keep pitching.'”Nomad represented a significant chapter in Steve Rogers’ comic book history, a moniker he adopted after dropping the Captain America mantle in a notable 1974 comic book run from writer Steve Englehart and artist Sal Buscema.
Chris Evans turned down ‘a dozen’ Marvel pitches before ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
The studio did not relent in its efforts to bring Chris Evans back. “Over the course of eight years, I probably heard at least a dozen pitches,” the actor said. “And they were all wonderful. It just never quite felt right. And you do start thinking maybe that’s the expiration, whatever it is, maybe it’s not right because it’s just not right.”Chris Evans was reluctant to return, not out of any ill will against Marvel or the role itself, but because he didn’t want to taint the character’s legacy. His hesitation was a testament to his commitment to making sure any return would matter for the character and the larger MCU story, not just be a cash-grab or nostalgia trip.
Robert Downey Jr.‘s return assured Chris Evans’s participation in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
The turning point came when Chris Evans learned that Robert Downey Jr. was in talks to rejoin the franchise. “I got a phone call from my team saying there’s a rumour Robert Downey Jr. is talking to Marvel, and I was like, ‘Uh, oh. What does this mean?'” Chris Evans said. “And all of a sudden it felt right.”
Chris Evans said Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe played a major role in his decision to join ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.Image credit (Instagram)
The prospect of reuniting with his longtime MCU costar proved decisive. “Joe Russo gave me the pitch, and Downey was buying. It just all of a sudden it was like, ‘This is it,'” Chris Evans explained, referencing the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ co-director.Robert Downey Jr. will star in ‘Doomsday’, though this time as the nefarious Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom rather than as Tony Stark/Iron Man. The return of the actor in a villainous role added gravitas and star power to the project that ultimately convinced Chris Evans the moment was right.
Chris Evans remains selective about future Captain America appearances
Chris Evans emphasised his commitment to returning only for stories that justify Steve Rogers’ continued presence in the MCU. “I guess it’s a never-say-never, but certainly not willing to just jump back in for anything because I think everyone here is precious with their role in the universe,” he explained. “This stuff, it’s earned its position over a long period of time. You don’t want to mess with that.”His protectiveness stems from a general philosophy among legacy actors who must navigate the tricky business of extended-universe storytelling, wherein too much exposure can cheapen iconic characters and carefully constructed narrative arcs.
How Sam Wilson Became Captain America After Steve Rogers’ Departure From The MCU
At the end of “Avengers: Endgame,” Steve Rogers passed the mantle of Captain America on to his good friend Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie. Steve then travelled back in time to be with his romantic interest, Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Sam Wilson later co-headlined the Disney Plus series ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ before starring in his own Captain America film, ‘Brave New World’, released in 2025.Chris Evans is not the only actor making a return to the MCU after an extended hiatus. X-Men stars from the original Fox films, including Rebecca Romijn, Kelsey Grammer, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and James Marsden, are also joining ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ as their characters are finally integrated into the larger Marvel universe.‘Avengers: Doomsday’ releases in theatres on December 18.