Marvel has a history of treating its stars like chess pieces in a game of endless sequels and spin-offs.
Chris Evans had a glorious run as Steve Rogers, but now that the franchise is pivoting to new faces and new stories, one can’t help but wonder if Marvel’s decision to move forward without him feels a little, well, cold. Evans recently opened up about his exclusion from Avengers: Doomsday, and his words were tinged with a kind of bittersweet sadness that fans are already interpreting as a subtle dig at Marvel’s decision-making.
Speaking with Screenrant for his upcoming movie Materialists — a project that pairs him with Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal — Evans was asked the inevitable question about his absence from the MCU’s next big team-up movie. His response was candid, heartfelt, and yes, a little heartbreaking. While he didn’t outright criticize Marvel, Evans admitted that it’s tough to watch from the sidelines as his former collaborators — the Russo Brothers, who directed some of the most beloved MCU films, and Robert Downey Jr., who’s returning as Doctor Doom —gear up for another Marvel blockbuster. “It’s sad to not be back with the band,” he said, summing up what so many fans have been feeling since his departure.
When Steve Rogers handed over his iconic shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) at the end of Avengers: Endgame, it was meant to be a definitive goodbye. Evans himself has spoken about wanting to leave the character on a high note, rather than overstaying his welcome. And to his credit, Endgame gave Steve Rogers a perfect send-off — a poignant, time-bending finale in which he chose love and a quiet life over endless battles.
But even the most definitive endings in Hollywood rarely stay that way. Over the past year, rumors have swirled about Evans potentially reprising his role in Avengers: Doomsday. Speculation reached a fever pitch when reports suggested that Evans and Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter) might make appearances together, sparking hopes that Steve Rogers would somehow be woven into the MCU’s next phase. Marvel, as always, remained tight-lipped, refusing to confirm or deny anything. And now, with Evans’ latest remarks, it seems those rumors were just that — rumors.
Still, it’s hard not to feel like something is missing when you consider what Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be. The Russo Brothers are returning to helm this new chapter. Robert Downey Jr., who defined the MCU’s early years as Tony Stark/Iron Man, is back — albeit in a different role as Doctor Doom. The film promises to be a nostalgic callback to the MCU’s glory days, which makes Evans’ absence all the more glaring.
