Chris Evans’ Fantastic Four cameo was originally planned for the post-credits scene of Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps but was ultimately removed, with Marvel later confirming his involvement through a teaser. This revelation ties into the broader storyline linking the Fantastic Four universe with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), unfolding ahead of the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie, set for release in December 2026.
Marvel’s Initial Plans for Chris Evans in The Fantastic Four
Marvel Studios had intended to include Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in a post-credits scene for The Fantastic Four: First Steps, according to John Rocha. The scene reportedly featured the Fantastic Four alongside Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr., requesting Steve Rogers’ help to gain trust among the MCU heroes. However, this segment was cut prior to release, though speculation remains it could appear elsewhere in the film.
The Fantastic Four and Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) ask Steve Rogers to come with them to the MCU, Earth-616, to help them gain the heroes’ trust. This was supposedly a post-credits scene in Fantastic Four that got removed. It could still be a scene in the movie.
— John Rocha, Marvel Insider
Connecting Timelines: Steve Rogers’ Alternate Life and the Fantastic Four Universe
Following Avengers: Endgame and before Loki Season 2 concluded, the storyline reveals Loki visiting an alternate Steve Rogers who is living a quiet life with Peggy Carter and their son. Loki warns that this timeline will be pruned by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) because Steve and his family were never meant to exist there.
Loki offers Steve a chance to relocate his family to a universe where they never existed, which turns out to be the Fantastic Four’s realm. Steve and his family reside there peacefully for years until the events of Avengers: Doomsday prompt a critical intervention by Doctor Doom.
Doctor Doom’s Warning and Steve Rogers’ Return to the MCU
During Avengers: Doomsday, Doctor Doom arrives in the Fantastic Four’s universe to alert Reed Richards and the team about the Incursions endangering multiple realities. Doom insists they must travel to the main Marvel Cinematic Universe to stop this threat. Together, they locate Steve Rogers and explain the crisis, convincing him to rejoin the MCU heroes to assist in resolving the multiverse disaster.
Doctor Doom has officially arrived on the Marvel Cinematic Universe stage. This villain, a master of cutting-edge science and powerful magic, will unleash a cascading crisis across the multiverse. Marvel’s most iconic actor, Robert Downey Jr., also returns as Doctor Doom!
— Marvel Studios Announcement
Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter is also reportedly involved in Avengers: Doomsday, aligning with Doctor Doom in hopes of repairing the multiverse after damage linked partly to Steve Rogers’ timeline.
Chris Evans and the Expanded Role of Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday
Anthony Russo, director of Avengers: Doomsday, recently emphasized in an Empire Magazine interview the importance of Steve Rogers within the MCU’s overarching narrative. According to Russo, Steve’s presence is vital and integral to the Avengers story and the MCU as a whole.
His central role in the Avengers and the larger narrative of what the MCU has been is something that’s very personal to us. We can’t see this narrative without his central role in it.
— Anthony Russo, Director
Star-Studded Lineup for Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday features an expansive cast that blends iconic heroes from multiple Marvel universes, including the original MCU, X-Men, and Fantastic Four. Confirmed talents include Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, Chris Evans returning as Steve Rogers, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, and Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. The X-Men lineup brings Ian McKellen as Magneto, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and Rebecca Romijn reprising her role as Mystique.
The Fantastic Four universe is represented by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing). Other key MCU actors such as Tom Hiddleston, Florence Pugh, and Chris Hemsworth also join this extensive cast, underscoring the film’s significance.
Production and Future Releases
Produced by Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and the Russo Brothers under their AGBO banner, Avengers: Doomsday is poised to be a major cinematic event. Directed by the Russo brothers with a screenplay by Stephen McFeely and Michael Waldron, the film will debut in theaters and IMAX across the U.S. on December 18, 2026.
This film sets the stage for Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for December 17, 2027, promising to further explore the multiverse ramifications introduced in Doomsday. The extended narrative hints at intense crossovers and complex developments as Steve Rogers’ character arc continues to evolve through these intertwining Marvel stories.
According to John Rocha, Chris Evans cameo was reportedly planned in the post-credit scene of the Fantastic Four: First Steps :
"The Fantastic Four and Doom ask Steve Rogers to come with them to the MCU, Earth-616, to help them gain the heroes' trust … This was supposedly a… pic.twitter.com/K0mXABpX9w
— Earth 616 (@MarvelExrth616) February 4, 2026
