Chris Evans reportedly turned down at least a dozen opportunities to return as Steve Rogers before finally agreeing to appear in Avengers: Doomsday.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly following Marvel Studios’ Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, Evans revealed that the studio repeatedly approached him about continuing Captain America’s story after Avengers: Endgame. Among those proposals was an idea from Louis D’Esposito and Kevin Feige to bring Rogers back as Nomad—the more politically charged, post-Watergate identity he adopted in the comics after becoming disillusioned with the United States government.
“They showed me a pitch, and it was a great pitch, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t feel right at the time,” Evans recalled. “I kind of wanted to… I was a little precious. I wanted to preserve it. But I just said, ‘Please keep pitching.’”
Steve Rogers as Captain America – Disney+
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Marvel accepted that invitation and continued bringing new ideas to the actor.
“Over the course of eight years, I probably heard at least a dozen pitches,” Evans said. “And they were all wonderful. It just never quite felt right. And you do start thinking maybe that’s the expiration—whatever it is—maybe it’s not right because it’s just not right.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s Return Changed Everything
Evans’ attitude changed after he learned that Robert Downey Jr. was discussing his own Marvel return. The longtime Iron Man actor will play Victor von Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, rather than another version of Tony Stark.
Notably, as many critics have been quick to point out, Evans does not appear to be reclaiming Captain America’s iconic shield. He will likely return simply as Steve Rogers, leaving Sam Wilson as the MCU’s current Captain America.
“I got a phone call from my team saying there’s a rumor [Robert Downey Jr. is] talking to Marvel, and I was like, ‘Uh, oh. What does this mean?’” Evans explained.
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo subsequently presented Evans with another pitch. With Downey involved and the Russo brothers returning to the MCU, the proposal finally felt different.
“[Doomsday co-director Joe Russo] gave me the pitch, and Downey was [back],” Evans said. “It just all of a sudden… it was like, ‘This is it.’”
Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter Reunite
Evans’ return will also reunite Steve Rogers with Peggy Carter. Marvel officially confirmed at Comic-Con that Hayley Atwell will reprise her role in the upcoming crossover.
Speaking with Variety at Comic-Con, Atwell noted, “You can’t really have Steve without Peggy.”
Haley Atwell as Agent Carter – Marvel Entertainment, YouTube
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Avengers: Endgame seemingly gave Steve and Peggy a definitive conclusion. After returning the Infinity Stones, Steve remained in the past and reunited with Peggy, finally sharing the dance they had been denied decades earlier. He later appeared as an elderly man and passed the Captain America shield to Sam Wilson.
However, the first Avengers: Doomsday teaser showed Steve living on a farmhouse and holding a baby, suggesting that his life with Peggy will be central to the new story.
Chris Evans Remains Protective of Steve Rogers
While many online have suggested that Evans finally agreed to return for a presumably significant paycheck, the actor maintains that he is not prepared to accept every future Marvel offer.
Steve Rogers and Thor in Avengers: Doomsday – Marvel Entertainment, YouTube
“I guess it’s a never-say-never, but certainly not willing to just jump back in for anything because I think everyone here is precious with their role in the universe,” he said. “This stuff, it’s earned its position over a long period of time. You don’t want to mess with that.”
Whether Doomsday justifies reopening Steve Rogers’ story remains to be seen. However, unless Evans once again takes up the shield as Captain America, many fans will likely remain unsatisfied.
Why do you think Chris Evans finally agreed to return as Steve Rogers? Sound off and let us know!
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