Why Avengers: Doomsday’s Trailer Says Steve Rogers Will Return, Not Captain America

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Chris Evans is officially returning as Captain America in the upcoming movie, Avengers: Doomsday. The trailer confirms Steve Rogers’ return six years after he retired and found happiness at the end of Avengers: Endgame. It also reveals he and Peggy Carter had a child together. However, his peaceful family life may be disrupted, as he appears to be coming out of retirement to battle Doctor Doom.

It’s clear why Marvel wants Chris Evans to reprise his role, particularly with Robert Downey Jr. set to be the antagonist. However, the way his return is presented is interesting. The teaser shows Steve Rogers putting away his Captain America suit, and the final message confirms ‘Steve Rogers will return in Avengers: Doomsday,’ but notably doesn’t mention Captain America. This subtle distinction might seem small, but it could hint at the nature of his role in the film.

Steve Rogers Isn’t Captain America Anymore

Steve Rogers’ decision to stay in the past with Peggy Carter meant he also had to relinquish his role as Captain America. He officially passed the shield – and the responsibility – to Sam Wilson near the end of Endgame. Sam has since overcome challenges to become a worthy successor, and is now firmly established as the new Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Bringing Steve Rogers back as Captain America right away could undermine the progress made in establishing Sam Wilson as the new Cap. Kevin Feige has pointed out that the recent Captain America: Brave New World film didn’t perform as well because it didn’t feature Steve Rogers, and simply having him return now would worsen that issue. While Chris Evans’ return could still create that problem, having him appear in a film where Sam Wilson is leading the Avengers at least offers some balance and supports Sam’s role as the new Captain America.

Marvel might try to balance honoring Chris Evans’ retirement with still featuring him as a heroic figure. It’s likely we’ll see him in costume and wielding a shield during the next Avengers film, even if he’s not officially Captain America. This could be similar to his role in Avengers: Infinity War, or they might fully embrace the ‘Nomad’ persona from the comics – a hero who stepped away from the Captain America identity.

Steve Rogers’ return also brings up questions about what happened to Captain America at the end of Endgame. Did he stay in the regular Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline, or did he create a separate one where he lived out his life? Even the directors and writers of the film didn’t fully agree on this, but they’ll likely have to clarify it now.

This raises the question of whether Steve giving Sam the shield creates a time loop – he gives it to him because he will give it to him, even though the past version of himself hasn’t done so yet. It’s also possible Steve made the decision to give Sam the shield before traveling back in time. Either way, it adds to the complex time travel issues that Doomsday will now have to address with Steve Rogers’ return.

Why Chris Evans Is Back For Doomsday After Retiring From The MCU

It’s surprising to see Evans return to the MCU after stating six years ago that Endgame would be his last appearance. His character’s ending in that film felt definitive, which made his previous reluctance to return even more notable. Now, rumors suggest his return is connected to Doctor Doom. A popular theory is that Steve Rogers’ time travel in Endgame caused a disruption in Doom’s universe, and now Doom is seeking revenge.

While bringing Chris Evans back as Captain America is an interesting move, it also signals that Marvel recognizes recent struggles. Since the release of Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has faced some challenges, including disappointing box office results, negative reviews, and a growing sense that audiences are losing interest in the current storyline. New characters haven’t quite resonated with viewers, and a combination of factors – like focusing too heavily on streaming, inconsistent character appearances, changing movie-going habits, and a lack of consistent quality – have contributed to this. Reintroducing Evans is likely an attempt to recapture audience enthusiasm.

Marvel is essentially acknowledging that fans adored the Infinity Saga but haven’t connected with recent projects, and they’re trying to recapture that magic. It’s a clear appeal to nostalgia, which can be effective, but Avengers: Doomsday needs to strike a delicate balance. The film should focus on building excitement for characters like Sam and the new generation of heroes, ensuring audiences invest in the MCU’s future instead of simply revisiting familiar faces like Captain America.

Avengers: Doomsday will be released on December 18th, 2026.

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2025-12-19 16:40