Avengers: Doomsday – A New Era for the MCU
The excitement surrounding Avengers: Doomsday is palpable, as it promises to be one of the most significant releases in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s history. After the monumental success of Avengers: Endgame in 2019, which not only shattered box office records but also concluded the Infinity Saga, fans have eagerly awaited the next chapter. However, since then, the Multiverse Saga has encountered numerous challenges, leaving many feeling that the MCU has lacked a clear direction. Despite standout films like Spider-Man: No Way Home gracing the franchise, the overall trajectory has felt uncertain.
To bring renewed focus to the franchise, the upcoming Avengers films are set to make a dramatic return. Avengers: Doomsday in 2026 will introduce a new team of Avengers, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027, which aims to wrap up the Multiverse Saga. These films are expected to feature a mix of beloved MCU heroes and iconic characters from Marvel’s extensive live-action history, leveraging the multiverse concept to its fullest. Recently, it was confirmed that Chris Evans will join the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, though the specifics of his role remain closely guarded for now. Interestingly, the MCU has a history of redefining character portrayals, diverging from Robert Downey Jr.’s well-known Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr. Takes on a New Role as Villain
Kang The Conqueror Has Been Passed Over
In a surprising turn of events, Chris Evans’ return marks him as the second founding member of the MCU confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, following the announcement of Robert Downey Jr.’s involvement. However, Downey will not reprise his iconic role as Iron Man; instead, he will portray none other than Doctor Doom. This announcement positions Doctor Doom as the primary antagonist of the Multiverse Saga, taking the reins from Kang the Conqueror, particularly after the departure of Jonathan Majors from the MCU.
In a parallel to Downey’s shift, Chris Evans has also resumed his relationship with the MCU, albeit through a different character. In the recent Deadpool & Wolverine, he portrayed Johnny Storm from the Fantastic Four, a character he initially embodied in the 2000s film adaptations. This intriguing twist raises the prospect of Evans adopting a very different persona in Avengers: Doomsday, diverging from his previous portrayal of Captain America.
Chris Evans’ Captain America Might Make a Comeback
Avengers: Endgame Set the Stage for a Return
In the climactic finale of Avengers: Endgame, several original Avengers took their final bows. While Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow made heroic sacrifices, Chris Evans’ Captain America charted a different course. Instead of falling in battle, he opted to travel back in time, choosing a life with Peggy Carter. The last sighting of Steve Rogers within the main MCU timeline depicted him as an elderly man passing the Captain America shield to Sam Wilson.
Since that pivotal moment, rumors have circulated within the MCU, suggesting varying theories about Captain America’s fate—from assumptions of his demise to speculations about him residing on the moon. However, these rumors do imply that Steve Rogers remains alive, albeit older. In “Endgame“, we witnessed a pivotal time travel sequence showcasing how characters could potentially be restored to their past selves. The reversion of Ant-Man into a toddler exemplifies the possibilities within the MCU’s narrative framework, hinting that we might see Evans’ Captain America return to his youthful prime.
Comic Inspirations for Chris Evans’ Captain America Return
Steve Rogers: An Essential Character No Matter His Age
Marvel Comics has paved the way for Chris Evans’ Captain America to seamlessly return in Avengers: Doomsday through compelling storytelling. In the comics, a villain known as Iron Nail manages to drain the Super Soldier Serum from Steve Rogers, resulting in accelerated aging. This scenario, however, is reversed when Kobik, a sentient extension of the Cosmic Cube (also the MCU’s Tesseract), intervenes, restoring Steve to his prime just as he faces imminent peril from Crossbones and other rehabilitated foes.
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A Chronology of MCU Avengers Movies |
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|---|---|
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Movie |
Release Date |
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The Avengers |
2012 |
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Avengers: Age of Ultron |
2015 |
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Avengers: Infinity War |
2018 |
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Avengers: Endgame |
2019 |
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Avengers: Doomsday |
2026 |
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Avengers: Secret Wars |
2027 |
While the prospect of an aging Steve Rogers opens intriguing possibilities, he remained a valuable asset to Marvel’s lineup even in his older years, taking on significant roles such as leadership within S.H.I.E.L.D. Avengers: Doomsday could creatively navigate dual narratives by featuring Chris Evans as both an elder Steve Rogers guiding the new Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Thunderbolts against Doctor Doom, while ultimately restoring him to a youthful Captain America as the film progresses.
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