Chris Evans is set to reprise his role as Steve Rogers in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, but the surprise return has sparked a backlash among sections of the Marvel fanbase.
The actor appears in a newly released teaser currently screening in cinemas ahead of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The brief clip shows Rogers riding a motorcycle through farmland before holding a newborn baby, followed by a caption confirming that Steve Rogers will return in the upcoming Marvel epic, due for release on December 18, 2026.
Evans last appeared as the original Captain America in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ in 2019. The film concluded with Rogers passing his iconic shield to Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, signalling a new era for the character before Rogers travelled back in time to live a quiet life with Peggy Carter.
The decision to bring Rogers back has unsettled some fans, who argue that it risks undermining Sam Wilson’s journey as Captain America. On social media, critics described the move as unnecessary and accused Marvel Studios of retreating to familiar faces at the expense of developing newer storylines. Several fans questioned whether the return diminishes Mackie’s role and the significance of Endgame’s ending.
The announcement also contrasts with Evans’s comments earlier this year, when he suggested he would not be involved in the film and described missing out on future MCU projects as bittersweet.
Avengers: Doomsday will also see Robert Downey Jr return to the franchise, this time portraying the villain Doctor Doom rather than Iron Man. Other confirmed cast members include Chris Hemsworth, Vanessa Kirby, Paul Rudd, Florence Pugh, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen.
While Marvel has not yet revealed how Steve Rogers fits into the story, the reveal has already reignited debate over nostalgia, legacy characters and the future direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
