Chris Evans denies return for Avengers Doomsday movie, stating his involvement is unlikely despite ongoing discussions with directors Joe and Anthony Russo, leaving Marvel fans speculating about the upcoming 2026 film. The actor’s repeated denials have done little to silence rumors about a potential Steve Rogers reappearance alongside franchise heavyweights like Robert Downey, Jr. and a growing ensemble cast.
Chris Evans Maintains He Won’t Appear in Avengers: Doomsday
The debate regarding Chris Evans’ possible involvement in Avengers: Doomsday took a new turn as he asserted he would not be returning to reprise his role as Steve Rogers. Evans’ latest comments emphasize that, although he is in contact with Joe and Anthony Russo—the directors of the film—he is not part of the project. The star addressed the matter during a discussion with ScreenRant, highlighting his ongoing relationship with the directing duo.
“Yeah, I talk to them all the time. It’s where Pedro [Pascal] is right now,”
—Chris Evans, Actor
Evans shared the emotional difficulty of not participating in the iconic team-up, stating,
“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.”
—Chris Evans, Actor
Rumors Persist Despite Official Denials
Speculation about his return dates back to late 2024, when rumors suggested that he and Hayley Atwell, known for playing Peggy Carter, would appear together in Doomsday. Early reports hinted at a storyline exploring Steve Rogers’ journey after Avengers: Endgame, particularly following the cancellation of another planned film centered on their reunion. Fans have become accustomed to surprises from Marvel and recall Evans’ secret cameo as the Human Torch in Deadpool and Wolverine, fueling further doubt about his denials.
Evans, however, tackled these rumors directly, saying, “That’s not true,” which has been his consistent answer for several months. Despite this straightforward dismissal, conversations about a possible cameo or new role for Evans remain active among fans and the media.
Other Cast Members and More Cameo Talk
The anticipation and speculation are not limited to Evans. Paul Rudd added ambiguity about his own possible return as Ant-Man by commenting,
“As far as the Russos, they have my number,”
suggesting doors could still be open without confirming specifics. Meanwhile, Chris Pratt addressed the excitement by joking about not being included in currently announced casting, while questions also circle around potential appearances from original X-Men cast members and even a new spin on familiar characters like Wolverine.
The ongoing secrecy surrounding the project and the MCU’s knack for surprise appearances make it understandable why some doubt the finality of Evans’ statements. Meanwhile, Robert Downey, Jr., formerly Iron Man, has been confirmed to return to Marvel but in the drastically different role of Doctor Doom, highlighting Marvel’s willingness to revisit and reinvent characters.
The Expanding Avengers: Doomsday Ensemble
Avengers: Doomsday is set to feature an expansive collection of heroes and villains as Marvel continues to build momentum in Phase 6 of its cinematic universe. Scheduled for release in 2026, this movie will follow The Fantastic Four: First Steps and is expected to introduce even more characters ahead of the next major crossover, Avengers: Secret Wars, in 2027. These developments ensure that the franchise remains unpredictable, feeding ongoing speculation that longtime stars like Chris Evans may yet have unannounced roles.
With Marvel’s history of secretive cameos and radical casting twists, skepticism about Evans’ denials persists, and anticipation for how Doomsday shapes the future of the MCU is only increasing as the release date approaches.
