Summary

After wrapping up hisMarvel Cinematic Universecharacter’s story inAvengers: Endgame, Chris Evans made a surprising return to the franchise in his previous superhero role, and his comments about hisDeadpool & Wolverinecameo have me worried it’ll be difficult to get him back again. For nearly a decade, Evans played Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, in the MCU, becoming one of the franchise’s mainstay heroes and a founding member of the Avengers. However, the actor passed on Cap’s shield at theend ofAvengers: Endgame, and retired to a life in his own time.

Since then, Evans has been asked many times whether he’d ever return to the MCU, whether as Captain America or another character, and he’s always been adamant that he wants to leave Steve’s story alone. Of course, that didn’t stop him from returning as a different Marvel superhero, Johnny Storm aka Human Torch, for acameo inDeadpool & Wolverine. In the weeks sinceDeadpool & Wolverinehit theaters, Evans has opened up about what it took to get him to return to the MCU, and all his comments have me concerned that it will be incredibly difficult to convince him to return to the franchise again.

Ryan Reynolds As Deadpool And Hugh Jackman As Wolverine Close Together With X-Men 2000 In The Background

Deadpool & Wolverine Post-Credits Scenes Explained

Deadpool & Wolverine has two credits scenes, so we break down what they both mean for the future and historic legacy of Marvel movies.

Chris Evans Has Stressed Ryan Reynolds' Involvement In His MCU Return

“Ryan [Reynolds] Might Be The Only Guy That I Would’ve Done It For”

I’ve noticed a trend in all ofChris Evans' comments about his MCU returninDeadpool & Wolverine- the credit he gives to Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds. It’s no surprise that Evans would highlight Reynolds' involvement in convincing him to return;the actors have traded cameos in quite a few of each other’s movies over the years, including Evans' cameo inFree Guyand Reynolds' inGhosted. It’s clear that the actors have a wonderful friendship, and that was instrumental in Evans' decision to appear inDeadpool & Wolverine.

While it’s been heartwarming to see how the actors talk about each other, I can’t ignore the implication of Evans' comments. In his first interview about hisDeadpool & Wolverinerole, he toldEW,“Honestly,Ryan might be the only guy that I would’ve done it forbecause he’s just got the Midas touch.“Then while talking toUS Weekly, the actor again emphasized Reynolds' role in getting him back in the MCU, saying,“I have a lot of love in my heart for Johnny Storm and so getting that call from Ryan [Reynolds] -I would do anything for Ryan- but getting to yell ‘Flame on’ again was just really special.”

Chris Evans' Captain America tired and jumping with his shield and Mjolnir in Avengers: Endgame

Even inEvans' own post about hisDeadpool & Wolverinecameo, he made an effort to highlight Reynolds' involvement in his return, writing,“Special thank you to Ryan for making it all happen.“Certainly, as a writer, producer and star ofDeadpool & Wolverine, Reynolds undoubtedly had a major hand in talking to all the actors who returned for cameos in the MCU movie. But in his comments,Evans has continually stressed that Reynolds was the only one who could’ve brought him back- which makes me worried about whether Marvel Studios will be able to convince him to return again.

I’m Concerned Chris Evans Will Never Return To The MCU As Captain America

On Whether He Thinks About Returning As Cap, Evans Said, “No. No, not really.”

Listen, I know anything can happen in the MCU and Marvel’s golden rule (at least when it comes to the comics) is that nobody stays dead except Uncle Ben. But Chris Evans has me truly convinced nothing - except Ryan Reynolds - could get him back in another Marvel movie. The actor has said many times over the years, and repeated it in the wake of hisDeadpool & Wolverinecameo, thathe’s not interested in revisiting Steve Rogers' story because the character’s ending is very special to him. Given Evans' repeated insistence that he won’t be back, I’m inclined to believe him.

Of course, it’s entirely possible that Evans is less adamant than he seems, or there could be a way for Marvel Studios to convince him to come back. After all, his Captain America is one of the cornerstones of the MCU.Ever since the actor concluded his time in the franchise, there has been a desire to see him return. Audiences, myself included, are attached to the character of Steve Rogers, and even if he isn’t Captain America anymore, I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering what he’s up to. Considering the wildly positive response to Evans' MCU return inDeadpool & Wolverine, perhaps Marvel can do something to lure him back.

Deadpool and Wolverine Poster Showing Wade Wilson’s Swords Showing Hugh Jackman’s Reflection

I’m Now Convinced Chris Evans Is Returning To The MCU As Captain America

Following major MCU updates, Chris Evans' Captain America return feels the closest it has ever been, and there’s a perfect way to do it.

Robert Downey Jr’s MCU Return Gives Me Hope Chris Evans Might Come Back

RDJ Will Play Doctor Doom In Avengers: Doomsday & Avengers: Secret Wars

Following Iron Man’s death inAvengers: Endgame, no one expected Robert Downey Jr. to return to the MCU, and I was one of many folks shocked when Marvel Studios announcedRDJ will be playing Doctor Doomin the two upcoming Avengers movies,Avengers: DoomsdayandAvengers: Secret Wars. Iron Man’s death was one of the most significant moments in the MCU, so the fact thatMarvel Studios is willing to bring back RDJ means they’re willing to take some big swings for these two newAvengersmovies. If they can pull off RDJ’s return, perhaps they can bring back Chris Evans as well.

Please, Ryan Reynolds, you’re my only hope of seeing Chris Evans in a Marvel movie again.

If Evans remains adamant about leaving Steve Rogers' MCU story untouched, Marvel could bring him back as Johnny Storm, despite his death inDeadpool & Wolverine, or an alternate universe version of Captain America.It would make sense for Evans' next MCU return to be a character from elsewhere in the multiverse, considering Marvel is currently in the midst of their Multiverse Saga. That would allow Evans to return in thecast ofAvengers: Doomsdayand/orAvengers: Secret Warswithout impacting his previous MCU ending, or creating confusion about Sam Wilson being the MCU’s Captain America.

That said,I still think it might behoove Marvel Studios to recruit Ryan Reynolds to help them convince Evans to return to the MCU. The studio could no doubt try to win over the actor with a massive salary, like the ones given toRDJ for the upcomingAvengersmovies, or a compelling storyline. But considering Reynolds was so instrumental in getting Evans back forDeadpool & Wolverine, it wouldn’t hurt to have him help convince the Captain America actor there’s more multiverse fun to be had in the MCU. Please, Ryan Reynolds, you’re my only hope of seeing Chris Evans in a Marvel movie again.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Cast

A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.