Chris Evans has surprised many Marvel enthusiasts by revealing a physique that deviates from the muscular frame he held as Captain America. In his new movie, Honey Don’t!, which is currently showing in theaters, Evans appears notably less bulky during a scene where he is seen wearing only his underwear. This stark contrast to his former superhero build deeply caught the attention of fans online.
While some viewers acknowledged that Evans maintained a decent form, most long-time Marvel followers expressed disappointment over his less sculpted appearance. In Honey Don’t!, Evans portrays Reverend Drew Devlin, a cult leader, alongside co-stars Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Charlie Day. The shift in his physicality led to a range of fan comments highlighting this unexpected transformation.
Many fans lamented the loss of the muscular definition that Evans was known for, expressing nostalgia for the “Bufftain America” image from his MCU days. Comments varied from disappointment in his aged appearance to concerns about where his once-prominent biceps had gone, while others questioned the decline of his onscreen appeal since stepping away from the Captain America role.
The Rigors Behind Building and Maintaining Evans’ Captain America Physique
Achieving and preserving the iconic Captain America build required Chris Evans to follow a demanding fitness and diet regimen. His extensive training was a necessity to embody the superhero’s peak physical condition across multiple Marvel movies. However, balancing this with exhausting 12- to 14-hour filming days proved to be a significant challenge.
In a detailed interview with entertainment reporter Chris Van Vliet during the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Evans described his approach to managing this intense workload while keeping in peak shape. He emphasized that maintaining his gym routine was far more critical than strict dieting, aided by his fast metabolism. Evans stated,
“I’m pretty lucky in the sense that my metabolism is pretty quick. Food isn’t always the biggest conflict for me. For me, to get in shape I just got to spend time in the gym. I don’t have to be as strict with the diet, as I do needing to be strict with the hours spent working out.” —Chris Evans, Actor
Regarding the fatigue of long set hours combined with his fitness routine, Evans revealed a strategic method to tackle it. He explained he would bulk up to his maximum size before filming, anticipating gradual weight loss as shooting progressed. He shared,
“Throughout the movie, you just slowly lose your mass. So you need to come to set as big as you can possibly get yourself in anticipation of exhaustion. And you’re just gonna start shedding pounds.” —Chris Evans, Actor
Hollywood fitness coach Simon Waterson guided Evans through this transformation, planning workouts that targeted two muscle groups per day over two-hour sessions. These sessions also heavily focused on core and abdominal strength while including athletic training twice a week. Evans did not follow a strict caloric count but emphasized protein-rich meals, primarily fish, and supplemented his nutrition with high-quality amino acid powders.
Fan Skepticism Surrounds Chris Evans’ Denial of Avengers: Doomsday Appearance
Despite Chris Evans’ assertion that he is retired from the Marvel universe, rumors persist about his involvement in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film. Reports initially claimed Evans accepted a role in the project, but the actor publicly denied these claims in an interview with Esquire, saying,
“That’s not true, though. This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years—ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it. […] Yeah, no—happily retired!” —Chris Evans, Actor
Fans have not fully embraced Evans’ denial. They reference his recent work on Deadpool & Wolverine and speculate that his dismissal of Doomsday rumors might be a tactic to preserve secrecy. Some enthusiasts believe Evans could still appear in the upcoming Secret Wars movie despite public statements. Marvel’s reputation for closely guarding spoiler information has fueled further distrust among the fanbase.
More recent speculation originated from a leaked image of a 1960s-style house on the Doomsday set, which some interpret as a clue to Evans’ involvement. Theories suggest the house represents the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Captain America living in the past with Peggy Carter, rather than relating to the character Luke Cage, who was allegedly a codename assigned to Evans for secrecy purposes. This sparked intense discussion about whether Evans might reprise his role by traveling back in time within the film’s storyline.
Implications for the Future of Chris Evans and the Marvel Universe
The marked change in Chris Evans’ physique for Honey Don’t! contrasts sharply with the iconic “Chris Evans Captain America physique” that fans remember, reflecting a natural evolution of the actor’s career and physical priorities. His departure from the superhero’s muscular frame signals a willingness to embrace diverse roles with very different physical demands.
At the same time, the persistence of rumors regarding Evans’ Marvel comeback highlights his strong connection to the franchise and its audience. Should he return for Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars, it would reignite excitement, especially if his character’s storyline involves time travel and revisiting pivotal moments with Peggy Carter. This potential narrative development would have significant consequences for the MCU timeline and character arcs.
With Avengers: Doomsday scheduled for release in the U.S. on December 18, 2026, Marvel fans remain eager for confirmations. Until then, Evans’ transformation and ambiguous statements keep audiences anxious and speculative about his future in the superhero world.
