Speculation about Chris Evans possibly returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain America has surged amid reports tying him to Avengers: Doomsday, even as the actor maintains that his days wielding the shield are over. For years, fans have imagined the multitude of Captain America variants Chris Evans could play in MCU follow-ups, especially with the Multiverse introducing storylines where different versions of Steve Rogers can be brought to life in films like Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars.
While Evans has publicly suggested his journey as Captain America might be complete, the secretive nature of major Marvel projects leaves the door wide open for surprises. The presence of multiple universes means that even if the classic Steve Rogers has stepped away, there remain countless alternate variants of the character, any of which could emerge in future cinematic events. This feature delves into eight prominent Captain America variants that Evans could portray, each offering distinct narrative and visual possibilities for the next generation of MCU films.
Old Man Rogers Brings Wisdom and Experience
Marvel Studios has yet to provide a definitive answer about the ultimate fate of the Earth-616 Steve Rogers. After returning the Infinity Stones and settling into a new life with Peggy Carter, the fate of this version of Captain America remains ambiguous. In the closing moments of Avengers: Endgame, Steve appears older, gifting his iconic shield to Sam Wilson. However, little is certain about whether he remains alive in the current timeline or has passed away, leaving space for intriguing narrative opportunities.
Should this variant still be alive, a return to action as Old Man Rogers could explore new facets of Evans’ portrayal. This version would leverage the lingering effects of the Super Soldier Serum, yet face the limitations and vulnerability of age, possibly suiting up in armor to confront new threats. Witnessing a seasoned Rogers contend with physical decline while retaining his strategic prowess would invite a fresh, complex dynamic to the team. Restoring him temporarily to his younger form opens additional narrative doors, particularly as the MCU continues to weave together characters from disparate realities.
Civil Warrior Explores a Darker Captain America
The introduction of a more antagonistic variant in Avengers: Doomsday would be a bold twist, especially with Civil Warrior. Originating from the Marvel: Contest of Champions mobile game, this iteration of Steve Rogers is defined by loss and moral compromise. In an alternate version of the Civil War storyline, he defeats Tony Stark, then chooses to honor and appropriate his fallen adversary by crafting armor incorporating elements of Iron Man’s technology, including integrating the Arc Reactor into his shield.
The significance of the Captain America: Civil War saga within the broader MCU elevates the thematic impact of bringing Civil Warrior into the fold. Doom, as an overarching villain, could potentially recruit a Steve Rogers who has surrendered to his darker instincts, making for a compelling antagonist or conflicted ally. Evans would be challenged to manifest the psychological complexity of a hero wrestling with guilt and the temptation of power—a Steve both familiar and utterly transformed. His interactions with other Avengers, especially those from Earth-616, would offer deep emotional stakes.
Zombie Cap Pushes Horror Boundaries
Fans have had a glimpse of an undead Steve Rogers in the animated What If…? series, where Captain America is seen as a relentless, shambling zombie. For future films, however, the MCU has the opportunity to depict a far more alarming and nuanced version inspired directly by the comics. In comic continuity, Rogers becomes Colonel Rogers and is even elected President in a post-apocalyptic America. Tragically, his fate takes a horrific turn after being infected by the Red Skull, transforming him into a monstrous, brain-eating figure with a bite that could turn even Spider-Man into one of the undead.
Bringing Zombie Cap to life with Chris Evans at the helm allows for unexpected tonal shifts and horror-infused storytelling within the superhero genre. Such a development could set the stage for unsettling surprises: imagine the Avengers encountering Cap on another Earth, expecting a steadfast ally but instead meeting a grotesque, corrupted version of the hero they revered. Whether animated or rendered through visual effects, Zombie Cap would expand both the mythos and the visual possibilities of Marvel’s Multiverse narratives.
Cap-Wolf: A Beastly Hero Takes Center Stage
Among the stranger, yet surprisingly popular, versions of Captain America is Cap-Wolf. In the pages of Captain America #402 and #403, Steve Rogers contracts a virus engineered by Nightshade, turning him into a werewolf while retaining his intellect and sense of duty. Despite his monstrous exterior, Cap-Wolf remains a hero, albeit one now driven by heightened instincts and a new set of powers. In subsequent comics, the Cap-Wolf persona becomes an Earth-666 variant, existing in a world populated by monstrous Avengers.
Cap-Wolf’s popularity among comic fans paves the way for a visually ambitious live-action adaptation. With advanced visual effects available to modern filmmakers, Evans transforming into a werewolf-Captain America could become one of the most memorable surprises in MCU history. This incarnation holds special appeal for audiences hoping to see more unconventional, myth-inspired takes on established heroes.
Soldier Supreme Blends Magic with Might
Soldier Supreme made his debut during 2018’s Infinity Wars event, serving as a mystical amalgamation of Captain America and Doctor Strange. This hybrid takes on the physical strength, agility, and combat expertise of Steve Rogers, and augments it with magical powers and mystical artifacts wielded by Stephen Strange. The fusion creates a character who operates both as the ultimate soldier and a master of the arcane, prepared to face supernatural threats alongside human adversaries.
For Chris Evans, embodying Soldier Supreme would unlock new performance opportunities, shifting away from Cap’s usual grounded approach. The possibility of portraying Steve Rogers with magical prowess would redefine familiar expectations, providing a unique narrative path in the context of a multiversal crisis. On screen, Evans could find himself filling the shoes of Doctor Strange’s narrative role, perhaps even serving as a key advisor—or adversary—to Doctor Doom within a reality at stake.
President Rogers: The Ultimate Authority Figure
Throughout Marvel’s vast multiverse, several versions of Captain America have ascended to the presidency of the United States. This elevated position offers dramatic potential and was briefly glimpsed in animated form during the first season of What If…?. President Rogers can be interpreted in numerous ways—either as a well-intentioned leader who improves his world or a more authoritarian figure wielding national power from the Oval Office.
Future MCU stories could combine President Rogers with other variants, as seen with the zombie Colonel Rogers scenario. The premise of Avengers infiltrating the White House only to find Steve Rogers as their unexpected host—perhaps undead or authoritarian—would create potent storytelling opportunities. Introducing Evans in this role would highlight themes of leadership, sacrifice, and the ambiguity of power, providing viewers with a Captain America who has irrevocably changed the trajectory of his universe.
World War II Captain America Returns to the Battlefield
The unpredictable landscape of the Multiverse means alternate versions of Steve Rogers could appear at any stage of his life. Revisiting the Captain America of World War II would bring the hero back to his roots, pulled from the chaos of battle and thrust into the cosmic scale of Avengers: Doomsday. Whether hailing from the main timeline or from a world where the war never ended and he never experienced decades in the ice, this variant would once again be a man out of his element, grappling with advanced threats and unfamiliar allies.
This throwback approach would allow fans to reconnect with the classic hero’s idealism and sense of purpose, while challenging him to adapt to new challenges and complex moral dilemmas. The inclusion of a World War II-era Captain America—perhaps fighting against both Nazis and Hydra—could also reveal untold chapters of the Multiverse, as diverse teams unite to repel threats never before encountered by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Hydra Cap: Rogers as a Villain
One of the most controversial and memorable variants is Hydra Cap, a version of Steve Rogers who serves as a sleeper agent loyal to Hydra. In comic books, fans witnessed the shocking reveal that Steve had been a Hydra sympathizer since youth, only for this history to be attributed to reality manipulation by a sentient Cosmic Cube. Ultimately, this led to two separate characters—one the classic hero, the other his villainous doppelganger.
Seeing Evans as Hydra Cap would disrupt expectations, transforming a celebrated hero into the ultimate threat—a villain whose charisma and skills make him particularly dangerous. As Secret Wars and Doomsday approach, bringing this dark twist to the MCU would not only provide a new test for the multiversal Avengers but also redefine the dynamics between Rogers, Doom, and other key players. The possibility of a Captain America who seeks to shape the fate of the Multiverse for his own interests ensures high drama and lasting consequences for the Marvel universe.
The exploration of these eight Captain America variants Chris Evans could play in MCU’s upcoming films brings unparalleled narrative potential. Each version offers distinct challenges for the hero, opportunities for thematic exploration, and a promising way to deepen the Multiverse saga. Whether audiences witness Evans as a weary Old Man Rogers, a corrupted Hydra Cap, or any of the unexpected forms listed here, the future of the MCU is poised for reinvention and spectacle. As anticipation builds for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, fans await confirmation of which, if any, of these legendary variants might make their silver screen debut.
