Chris Evans has revealed why he’s finally ready to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Steve Rogers/Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday after more than five years away from the character. The 45-year-old actor, who last played the star-studded hero in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, explained that he turned down multiple project pitches over the past eight years until the right combination of creative power and returning stars brought him back.Chris Evans spoke with Gerald Hall at San Diego Comic-Con about his return to the Marvel Universe, Entertainment Weekly reports. The actor revealed that he was approached by Lou D’Esposito and Kevin Feige immediately after 2018’s Endgame wrapped to continue telling Steve Rogers’ story, with Marvel bosses offering to explore the character as Nomad, the alternate identity Steve Rogers adopted in the comic book canon.
Why Chris Evans turned down multiple offers to return Captain America
“When we were finishing Endgame in 2018, Lou and Kevin took me to dinner and they said, ‘We’d love to continue making movies with Steve Rogers as Nomad,'” Chris Evans recalled. “I said, ‘Well, what do you have?'”
Chris Evans has revealed that the return of Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers’ vision convinced him to reprise his role as Steve Rogers after turning down multiple pitches from Marvel. Image source (Instagram)
Marvel executives arrived with creative concepts. “They showed me a course, and it was a great course, but for whatever reason, it didn’t feel right at the time,” Chris Evans said. “I kind of wanted to keep it. But I just said, ‘Please keep pitching.'”Nomad represents an important chapter in comic book history for Steve Rogers, who adopted the moniker after relinquishing the mantle of Captain America in a celebrated 1974 comic book by writer Steve Engelhardt and artist Sal Buscema.
Chris Evans turns down ‘dozen’ Marvel pitches ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
The studio isn’t letting up on its efforts to bring Chris Evans back. “I probably heard at least a dozen pitches over the course of eight years,” the actor said. “They were both great. It just didn’t feel right. You do start to think maybe this is the expiration date, whatever it is, and maybe it’s not right because it just doesn’t feel right.”Chris Evans’ reluctance to return isn’t out of any ill will towards Marvel or the character itself, but rather because he doesn’t want to tarnish the character’s legacy. His hesitation is a testament to his commitment to ensuring that any return is important to the characters and the larger MCU story, rather than just a cash grab or nostalgia trip.
Robert Downey Jr.’s return secures Chris Evans’ role in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
The turning point came when Chris Evans learned that Robert Downey Jr. was in talks to rejoin the franchise. “I got a call from the team saying that Robert Downey Jr. was rumored to be in talks with Marvel, and I was like, ‘Uh-oh. What does this mean?'” Chris Evans said. “Suddenly it felt good.”
Chris Evans says Robert Downey Jr.’s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe played a big role in his decision to join Avengers: Doomsday. Image source (Instagram)
The prospect of reuniting with his longtime partner in the Marvel Universe proved decisive. “Joe Russo pitched it to me and Donnie bought it. All of a sudden, it was like, ‘This is it,'” Chris Evans explained, referring to his Avengers: Doomsday co-director.Robert Downey Jr. will star in Doomsday, but this time as the evil Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom instead of Tony Stark/Iron Man. The actor’s return as a villain added gravitas and star power to the project, ultimately convincing Chris Evans that the timing was right.
Chris Evans remains selective about future Captain America appearances
Chris Evans has stressed that he’s committed to only returning in stories that prove Steve Rogers’ continued presence in the Marvel Universe. “I guess it’s a never-say-die thing, but certainly a reluctance to get back into anything because I think everyone here is precious to their role in the universe,” he explained. “This thing, it’s earned its status over a long period of time. You don’t want to mess with it.”His protection stems from a common philosophy among legacy actors who have to navigate the tricky business of Expanded Universe storytelling, where too much exposure can detract from iconic characters and carefully constructed narrative arcs.
How Sam Wilson became Captain America after Steve Rogers left the Marvel Universe
At the end of Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers passed the mantle of Captain America to his good friend Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie). Steve then travels back in time to be with his love interest Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Sam Wilson later co-starred in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier before starring in his own Captain America movie Brave New World, due out in 2025.Chris Evans isn’t the only actor returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after a long hiatus. “X-Men” stars from Fox’s original film, including Rebecca Romijn, Kelsey Grammer, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart and James Marsden, will also join “Avengers: Doomsday” as their characters finally integrate into the larger Marvel Universe.“Avengers: Doomsday” will be released in theaters on December 18.
