Marvel fans need to hold onto their vibranium shields because the multiverse rumors are spiraling out of control. Initially, legendary comic writer Chris Claremont had dropped a mega bombshell at the Huntsville Pop Culture Expo 2025, claiming Chris Evans is making a full-blown comeback in Avengers: Doomsday.
However, recently, the actor himself, Chris Evans, slammed the brakes on the hype, saying he won’t be suiting up this time. Despite Claremont suggesting Evans’ alleged return as not just as Captain America, but also as evil Cap, young Cap, and Captain Hydra, the actor debunked it all. So, let’s dive into the Marvel madness and separate facts from fiction.
Legendary comic book writer Chris Claremont hinted at Chris Evans’ Avengers: Doomsday return
Back at the Huntsville Pop Culture Expo 2025, the rumor mill just got turbo-charged after Chris Claremont, the legendary comic writer who shaped the Marvel universe for decades, casually spilled some serious superhero tea. Yep, the writer dropped some tantalizing rumors about Chris Evans’ MCU return (via CNAtv).
Now, we know that the hunky heartthrob had retire from his role as America’s Ass in Avengers: Endgame—but remember how he returned as Johnny Storm in MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine? Well, turns out, just like that, Claremont hinted at his possible appearance in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.
According to rumors heard by Claremont, the comic writer teased that Evans is set for a massive comeback in Avengers: Doomsday—and not just as Captain America. He mentioned that the actor might appear in multiple roles, including a young Captain America, an evil Captain America, and even the infamous Captain Hydra.
We’ve got Robert Downey Jr. playing an evil person and Iron Man. He’s playing two other roles… then, Chris Evans is playing Captain America, young Captain America, evil Captain America, and Captain Hydra. Or something like that. Lord Hydra.
Yep, Claremont teased that Evans might make a comeback as Captain Hydra. Well, after Robert Downey Jr. went from being the beloved Iron Man to Doctor Doom, it wasn’t quite shocking to hear rumors of Chris Evans following the same footsteps. Now, for fans who are updated with the comics, know that this dark, twisted version of Steve Rogers is one of the most jaw-dropping storylines Marvel has ever produced.
So, when the comic book writer teased about this character’s possible appearance in Avengers: Doomsday, people almost lost their minds. Introduced in Captain America: Steve Rogers #1 (2016), Captain Hydra is a mind-bending twist on Steve Rogers after the Cosmic Cube’s sentient entity, named Kobik, alters his reality.
Could you imagine Steve Rogers, instead of fighting for freedom, he’s fighting for global domination? Well, that’s what Chris Claremont teased at the Huntsville Pop Culture Expo 2025. What’s even wilder is the author’s suggestion that Evans might return as a young Captain America—a nod to the MCU’s early days.
This could add some serious depth and excitement to Avengers: Doomsday. But since the comments weren’t confirmed by official sources, it remained questionable. People wondered if Claremont was just playing with our hearts or if it was the real deal. Fans kept buzzing about Evans’ insane return in a corrupted role.
Young Captain America and Captain Hydra’s original after Secret Wars
Since Chris Claremont teased Chris Evans‘ return in multiple Captain America roles in Avengers: Doomsday, fans have been buzzing about the origin of those characters in the comics and their roles in the plot. So, if you’re among those who have been scratching their heads, wondering what Captain Hydra or the other Captain America characters are all about, let’s dive into the twisted world of Marvel Comics.
Turns out, all the above-mentioned versions of Captain America make up the most shocking plot twists in the Marvel Universe, and it all started with Secret Wars. According to the comic, Captain America: Steve Rogers #1, released in 2016, in the Secret Wars event, Earth-616, the primary Marvel Universe, is rebooted.
After the cosmic chaos, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, is mortally wounded and finds himself in the small, mysterious town of Pleasant Hill. Here, he meets Kobik, a sentient Cosmic Cube, who appears as a young girl. Through a series of unfortunate events, Rogers is fatally injured, and Kobik uses her powers to heal him, but with a catch.
Instead of bringing him back as the hero we all know and love, Kobik inadvertently replaces Cap with a version of Steve Rogers from another reality, a version who was raised under the influence of HYDRA. This marks the beginning of the Captain Hydra storyline. Raised by figures like Daniel Whitehall and guided by the Red Skull, this version of Steve Rogers grew up as a loyal soldier of HYDRA.
That’s how we get to see the young version of Captain America, growing under the influence of HYDRA. Later, we discover how he has been fighting for their twisted cause instead of upholding the ideals of freedom and justice. His appearance in the comics happened to be a mind-bending shift for fans who had known Captain America as a symbol of patriotism and selflessness.
In Secret Empire, this corrupted version of Cap then begins to overthrow the world order, using his new position of power to manipulate events, like the Chitauri invasion, in favor of HYDRA’s agenda. The world is plunged into darkness as this evil Captain America leads the charge for HYDRA, forcing Sam Wilson to take up the mantle of Captain America and fight back against this corrupted version of his predecessor.
With the MCU already diving into the multiverse, the Captain Hydra story, as teased by Chris Claremont, seems to undoubtedly hold the potential to make an explosive appearance in Avengers: Doomsday. So, as mentioned by the comic writer, with Evans’ return, we could see this twisted Captain America face off against the new MCU Cap, Sam Wilson (played by Anthony Mackie).
What did Chris Evans say about his Avengers: Doomsday return?
Now comes the moment of truth. Since we’ve been discussing rumors, so far, from Chris Claremont and the possibility of an evil Captain America, much like Robert Downey Jr.‘s Doctor Doom, Chris Evans finally broke his silence about whether he’s set to return in the upcoming film or not.
Turns out, despite all the juicy rumors from the comic author, the MCU actor is firmly putting the brakes on any hopes of his return as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday. Evans, known for his iconic portrayal of Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently dismissed the casting rumors, confirming that he will not be returning for the 2026 film.
Chris Evans, who famously hung up his shield after Avengers: Endgame (2019), was asked during an interview with ScreenRant about the possibility of returning for Avengers: Doomsday. The actor stated that while he talks to his former colleagues—Robert Downey Jr. and the Russo brothers—”all the time,” he is “happily retired” from playing Captain America.
Yeah, I talk to them all the time. It’s where Pedro is right now. I mean, it’s sad to be away. It’s sad to not be back with the band, but I’m sure they’re doing something incredible, and I’m sure it’s going to be that much harder when it comes out and you feel like you weren’t invited to the party.
The actor even joked that it’s tough to be away from the team, but he’s happy watching from the sidelines as his Marvel co-stars continue to create something “incredible”. Well, it seems, his comments weren’t just a simple denial; Evans had previously addressed similar rumors in January 2025 with Esquire, saying the idea of his return was “not true.”
That’s not true, though. This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years—ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it… Yeah, no—[I’m] happily retired.
The reports were just another one of the recurring rumors that have popped up ever since Endgame. Chris Evans made it clear that every time these rumors surface, he no longer feels the need to respond. It seems the man who once embodied Captain America is firmly embracing life after the MCU, focusing on new projects like Materialists.
While the idea of seeing Evans back in action as Cap is something Marvel fans still dream about, it seems that Avengers: Doomsday will NOT feature the return of Steve Rogers—in any capacity. Instead, we’ll have to keep our eyes on Anthony Mackie’s portrayal of the new Captain America and the larger multiverse storyline that’s unfolding in the MCU.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for release in the US on December 18, 2026.
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