Chris Evans will match Samuel L. Jackson in the number of Marvel movie and television appearances, following his newly confirmed role in Avengers: Doomsday. This milestone underscores the enduring presence of both actors in Marvel Studios productions and highlights the competitive legacy for most credits within the Marvel Universe, drawing renewed attention to Samuel L. Jackson Marvel appearances and the lasting popularity of the franchise’s leading stars.
The official confirmation of Chris Evans’ involvement in Avengers: Doomsday arrived with the movie’s debut trailer, first shown exclusively in theaters with Avatar: Fire and Ash and made available online on December 23. This marks the first time Marvel Studios has publicly addressed Evans’ inclusion since the return was initially teased for December 2024, setting the stage for a record-tying appearance tally.
Evans and Jackson: A Look at Record-Setting Careers
Chris Evans, best known for his role as Steve Rogers/Captain America, has appeared across 15 Marvel projects, which includes not just his iconic hero but also his earlier role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch. This achievement ties him directly with Samuel L. Jackson, who, since his introduction as Nick Fury in 2008’s Iron Man, reached the same total with an impressive run of both film and television credits.
Samuel L. Jackson has played Nick Fury in 15 combined movie and television appearances, encompassing four Avengers films, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and recent notable projects such as Disney+’s Secret Invasion. His character’s longevity and involvement in key Marvel events have cemented his place as a central figure within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Complete List of Samuel L. Jackson’s Marvel Appearances
Jackson’s fifteen Marvel credits underline his vital role as SHIELD director Nick Fury. His list of appearances includes:
1. Iron Man
2. Iron Man 2
3. Thor
4. Captain America: The First Avenger
5. The Avengers
6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
7. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
8. Avengers: Age of Ultron
9. Avengers: Infinity War
10. Captain Marvel
11. Avengers: Endgame
12. Spider-Man: Far From Home
13. What If…?
14. Secret Invasion
15. The Marvels
This consistent presence has made Samuel L. Jackson one of the most recognized actors within the Marvel franchise, engaging audiences with every new adventure and team-up.
Chris Evans’ Journey Through 15 Marvel Projects
The variety and longevity of Chris Evans’ Marvel journey span roles across different timelines, characters, and even cinematic universes. The following is a chronological guide through all fifteen on-screen Marvel appearances by Evans, evidencing both his range as an actor and the interconnected nature of Marvel’s storytelling.
1. Fantastic Four (2005): Chris Evans’ first step into Marvel came two decades ago as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, playing opposite Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, and Julian McMahon. As Johnny, he embodied the bold astronaut and pilot transformed through a cosmic ray accident, immediately embracing his powers and the public eye. Leading his team through a daunting clash with Victor Von Doom, Evans began building his heroic reputation here.
2. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007): Reprising his role, Evans returned for this sequel, facing new threats as his character coped with unintentional power swaps among teammates and a cosmic threat from the Silver Surfer and Galactus. The growth of Johnny’s relationships with both his sister and the superhero team took center stage as they worked to defeat world-ending adversaries.
3. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011): Leaving the Fantastic Four behind, Evans became Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU’s first depiction of the World War II super soldier. Sharing the screen with Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Hugo Weaving as Red Skull, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, and Tommy Lee Jones as Chester Philips, Evans’ portrayal of Rogers redefined his Marvel legacy as he transformed from an ailing Army recruit into America’s ultimate hero, leading the charge against Hydra and the Nazis.
4. The Avengers (2012): Evans joined the MCU’s first superhero ensemble, leading Earth’s Mightiest Heroes with Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, the Hulk, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Pulled from the past to the present, Steve Rogers earned his role as field leader amidst the invasion of New York by the Chitauri, as the team rallied to face Loki’s threat under Fury’s guidance.
5. Thor: The Dark World (2013): Evans’ cameo saw Tom Hiddleston’s Loki impersonate Captain America, poking fun at the idealistic persona and teasing Thor (Chris Hemsworth). This brief but memorable moment added a layer of humor to the hero’s image, as Loki quipped about
“a rousing discussion about truth, honor, [and] patriotism,”
before reverting to his mischievous self. – Tom Hiddleston, Actor
6. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014): Returning as the title character, Evans faced Hydra’s infiltration of SHIELD, going on the run with Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), and Nick Fury. The journey forced Rogers to confront both his best friend, now brainwashed assassin Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), and a shadowy conspiracy within the organization he once trusted.
7. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Evans reprised his leadership as Captain America in the second Avengers movie, contending with Ultron’s apocalyptic ambitions and internal team struggles, particularly with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Alongside familiar faces and new allies like Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), the team fought to save Sokovia from destruction, cementing Rogers’ role as the group’s steady force.
8. Ant-Man (2015): Evans made a brief appearance in a post-credits scene, as Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson protected Bucky Barnes, foreshadowing alliances soon to form in Captain America: Civil War. This connective tissue between films exemplified the MCU’s story-weaving methods and led viewers directly into the next major conflict.
9. Captain America: Civil War (2016): Assuming the leading role in a star-studded cast, Evans played Steve Rogers during the UN’s implementation of the Sokovia Accords. Refusing oversight, Rogers split from Tony Stark, resulting in a legendary clash of heroes. The introduction of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) raised the stakes, with Rogers’ loyalty to Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) putting the Avengers at risk of falling apart.
10. Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): Evans appeared in a cameo capacity, starring in educational videos mandated for students at Midtown Tech, including a post-credits joke regarding patience. This lighthearted contribution showcased Evans’ range and the MCU’s interconnected humor.
11. Avengers: Infinity War (2018): Though Steve Rogers’ screen time was limited, his role was pivotal as he led a team of rogue Avengers to Wakanda, teaming up with Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), and Vision (Paul Bettany) against Thanos (Josh Brolin) and his Outriders. Rogers defended the vulnerable and prepared for all-out war to save the universe.
12. Captain Marvel (2019): Evans’ appearance came in a post-credits scene, where Steve Rogers helped make sense of Nick Fury’s (Samuel L. Jackson) disappearance following Thanos’ snap in Infinity War. Rogers worked alongside Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), and James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) to reactivate Fury’s pager and await Captain Marvel’s arrival.
13. Avengers: Endgame (2019): Evans delivered his most substantial Marvel performance as Steve Rogers, with the story picking up five years after Infinity War’s devastation. Rogers was a central actor in rallying the team for the Time Heist, revisiting the Battle of New York and Camp Lehigh, and ultimately leading Earth’s heroes against Thanos. His journey concluded with Rogers relinquishing his shield and retiring, passing the mantle onward.
14. Deadpool & Wolverine (2024): Making his secretive return as Johnny Storm, Evans entered Deadpool & Wolverine in a crossover event, sharing scenes with Ryan Reynolds (Wade Wilson/Deadpool), Hugh Jackman (James “Logan” Howlett/Wolverine), and cameos from Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, and Channing Tatum. Encountering Deadpool and Wolverine in the Void, Johnny Storm faced Pyro (Aaron Stanford) and met a definitive end after a series of intense confrontations and brash remarks about Cassandra Nova.
15. Avengers: Doomsday (2026): Evans’ confirmed return as Steve Rogers will occur in Avengers: Doomsday, with a cast of 27 including Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. Details around Rogers’ new role continue to be closely guarded, but hints from the trailer point toward him having adopted the Nomad persona from Marvel Comics and becoming a parent with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). His re-entry ties him with Samuel L. Jackson for fifteen Marvel appearances and signals another pivotal chapter in his on-screen career.
Currently, viewers can watch Evan’s first fourteen appearances on Disney+, while his 15th installment arrives in theaters December 18, 2026.
Impact of the Record-Tying Achievement
Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson’s extensive tenure within the Marvel franchise is a testament to the strong fan attachment to recurring heroes and the central place these characters hold in Marvel’s storytelling. By tying Samuel L. Jackson’s record, Evans underscores his importance not only as Captain America but also as one of few actors to cross multiple franchises and studio eras.
This accomplishment also highlights the evolving landscape of Marvel Studios, with actors like Evans and Jackson serving as bridges between generations of heroes, villains, and global cinematic events. Iconic roles such as Nick Fury’s leadership and Steve Rogers’ moral compass have given audiences enduring figures to rally behind, while supporting characters and teams, including Black Panther, Iron Man, Black Widow, and others, have ensured continuing fascination.
Their ongoing roles inspire both industry peers and aspiring actors, showing that long-term commitment to a franchise can yield celebrated careers and deep audience connections. As the MCU grows, new stars will undoubtedly emerge, but the foundations built by Evans, Jackson, and their collaborators will remain influential for years to come.
Looking Ahead for Marvel and Its Leading Stars
With Chris Evans’ 15th appearance matching that of Samuel L. Jackson, anticipation is high for Avengers: Doomsday and the shapes of future Marvel projects. Fans speculate whether either actor will break the tie and continue adding to their legacies as faces of the MCU. What’s certain is the lasting impact of Samuel L. Jackson Marvel appearances alongside Chris Evans’ transformative roles, which have contributed immensely to Marvel’s position as a global powerhouse in entertainment.
As Marvel Studios continues to expand its universe with new characters, stories, and collaborations, the bar has been set high by these two celebrated actors. Their legacies will not only shape the direction of upcoming projects, including possible future crossovers and reunions, but will influence how franchises approach continuity, casting, and connected storytelling on a global scale.
