Chris Evans is one of the most charismatic movie leads the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever had, and it seems more likely than ever that he could actually return to the beloved franchise. The wonderful details of Chris Evan’s Captain America performance made him one of the MCU’s flagship characters for many years running, serving as a steadfast presence in the beloved cinema series. Now, it seems that Evans’ return to the MCU could be more likely than ever.
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The announcement of Robert Downey Jr.’s return as Doctor Doom opened up the floodgates of possibilities for previous stars to return to the franchise in new roles. After all, Evans has already made a brief return as a new character with a cameo as Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch, in Deadpool & Wolverine. Perhaps the MCU could bring Chris Evans back into the fold as an important comic character that MCU has yet to adapt.
10 Norman Osborn
Spider-Man’s true arch-enemy
It’s important to remember that Chris Evans is just as comfortable playing villains as he is leading films as true-blooded heroes like Captain America, if not more so. Films like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Knives Out gave him chances to express just how great he could be at playing an arrogant, reprehensible jerk. That being said, it might be wise for the MCU to bring Evans back into the fold as a villain, just like they’re doing with Robert Downey Jr.
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Norman Osborn is one of the biggest Marvel Comics villains the MCU has yet to introduce, outside of Willem Dafoe’s alternate-universe Green Goblin who returned from the Sam Raimi Spider-Man films. Casting Chris Evans as the base MCU timeline’s Norman Osborn could be a great way for the series to subvert fears that Spider-Man will become Doctor Doom’s primary enemy rather than Mr. Fantastic just because Robert Downey Jr. has been cast in the role. Evans would certainly be up for the challenge of playing such an explosive and dynamic antagonist.
9 Quasar
Could be the next major cosmic Avenger
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Avengers: Infinity War saw the introduction of Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, expanding the MCU to new cosmic heights. The series could pull a similar trick with Chris Evans as Quasar, a lesser-known spacefaring hero that could add true value to the MCU. Wendell Vaughn is a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who is initially disregarded by his superiors for his lack of a “killer instinct”. However, this kindness and moral flexibility turns out to make him an excellent wielder of the Quantum Bands, allowing him to become the construct-using superhero Quasar.
Chris Evans showed a tender firmness as Captain America that would be perfect for the sensitive hero Quasar, initially admonished for his unwillingness to compromise his core values. The Quantum Bands have also already been introduced in the MCU thanks to The Marvels, currently in the possession of Ms. Marvel. The leftover plot devices would be a great way to introduce a new powerful hero to the Avengers roster when they need in the most.
8 Ghost Rider
Chris Evans is a dead ringer for Johnny Blaze
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Nicolas Cage’s return as Ghost Rider was one of the few cameos planned for Deadpool & Wolverine that didn’t pan out, meaning the Spirit of Vengeance is a role that is still up for grabs in the MCU. In truth, Nicolas Cage was never a great fit for the role, not resembling the Jonny Blaze of the comics and being too old to be believable as a daredevil motorcyclist even in 2007, let alone today. Chris Evans, on the other hand, could easily fit the bill.
Captain America’s few brief scenes on a motorcycle in the MCU prove that Evans is up for the job, looking stoic and triumphant as ever while on the back of a two-wheeler. His time inhabiting complex characters like Curtis in Snowpiercer also serves as great proof that Evans could tackle the tortured anti-hero. Spending most of his on-screen time as a flaming skull would also help ease the weirdness of seeing Evans’ face on a new character, a problem that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom circumvents with his iron mask.
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7 Nova
Could reaffirm the Nova Corps as a powerful force for good
The Nova Corps of the comics were introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy, essentially Marvel’s answer to DC’s Green Lantern Corps, a cosmic peacekeeping force of uniform-wearing superheroes with fantastic powers of energy manipulation. Sadly, their home planet was decimated by Ronan the Accuser and later Thanos, leaving the Corps in a dire state.
Chris Evans could reprise the important role of the Nova Corps with the comic character simply called Nova, essentially Marvel’s version of Hal Jordan. Chris Evans’ hotheaded hero antics as Johnny Storm serve as the perfect analogue to Richard Rider’s original Nova, and the helmet would also help stave away the cognitive dissonance of seeing Chris Evans return to the series once more. Nova is a prime opportunity for Chris Evans in the newest iteration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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6 Penance
Could bring out Chris Evans’ dark side
The one thing the MCU’s changes to the Civil War storyline missed out on was the transformation of the plucky hero Speedball into Penance. Speedball was a member of the New Warriors, a superhero team whose costly blunder caused the event that served as Ultron’s attack on Sokovia in the MCU. To atone for the lives lost on his account, Speedball becomes the edgy hero Penance, with a suit full of spikes that painfully prod him to remind of the death that occurred because of his recklessness.
As shown off in roles like Curtis in Snowpiercer, Chris Evans is excellent at channeling characters with intense guilt. Speedball was originally going to be introduced as part of the canceled New Warriors TV show, but it’s not too late for the MCU to introduce the team. Penance’s total face mask would also help protect audiences from the whiplash of seeing Steve Rogers in a new role.
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5 Hyperion
Another Superhero figure for Evans to inhabit
Marvel Comics has put forth a few unique takes on a Superman-like character, with Hyperion being among the most notable. Originally, Hyperion was a villain recruited by Kang to serve in the supervillain group Squadron Sinister, created by Kang to take down the Avengers. Later, a more heroic version of the character came onto the scene, becoming one of the most valuable heroes in the employ of the United States government.
Considering how good Chris Evans is at playing both heroes and villains, the MCU has a valuable opportunity to bring him back as a character that does both. Even though Kang is being moved away from as the next major crossover villain, unleashing the Squadron Supreme could be one of his last acts of malice. Hyperion could go from an antagonist to a hero over the course of the next Avengers films, making for a tantalizing prospect for Evans’ return.
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4 Ares
Could come onto the scene alongside Hercules
The post-credits scene of Thor: Love and Thunder teased a greater level of involvement from the Greek pantheon of gods in the future of the MCU. With Hercules poised to take his revenge on Thor, it could be the perfect time to introduce long-standing comic villain Ares. Based off of the real god of war from Greek mythology, Ares is a brutal tyrant who thrives on warfare, showing up to harass Hercules, Thor, and other deity-adjacent heroes.
Currently, Thor is fairly separated from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Evans might make the most sense in a possible Thor 5, where he doesn’t have to interact with so many faces familiar with Steve Rogers. Once again, Ares’ helmeted visage would help tremendously with easing audiences into seeing Evans in another role. Above all else, seeing Evans absolutely let loose with his villainous tendencies in an unapologetically evil character would be a sight to behold.
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3 Cyclops
The X-Men’s steadfast leader
Cyclops is one of the most important mutants the Marvel Cinematic Universe will need to introduce. Though the Fox X-Men movies did James Marsden’s Cyclops dirty with his characterization, sidelining him in the narrative in favor of Wolverine. Luckily, the recent success of X-Men ’97 brought Cyclops back into the spotlight as a major player. The MCU will need to be careful to treat Cyclops with the respect he deserves this time around.
There couldn’t be a better way to do so than to cast one of the MCU’s most successful and lauded actors as Scott Summers. Using Chris Evans for Cyclops would ensure that the field leader of the X-Men wouldn’t be sidelined by the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. The visor would also help break Evans’ face up enough to make for a dramatic reveal when he does finally take the headwear off and unleash his raw kinetic beams.
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2 Mephisto
The MCU’s ultimate missing villain
By far the biggest overarching bad guy from the Marvel Comics still missing from the MCU is none other than the demon lord Mephisto. Going by many names, Mephisto essentially serves as Marvel’s equivalent of The Devil, enacting vile schemes from the harvesting of the soul of Doctor Doom’s mother to the creation of the Green Goblin. The MCU has teased Mephisto’s dimension in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and may be looking to finally introduce the infernal villain.
Chris Evans as Mephisto could continue the MCU’s new tradition of re-casting old flagship heroes as important overarching villains. Seeing Evans’ snarling smile on Mephisto’s red face would be a sight worth celebrating, and could usher in the next crossover antagonist following Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom.
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1 Fantomex
An obscure, comedic mutant that Evans could thrive as
Chris Evans’ comedy chops are not to be underrated, as shown in films like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Not Another Teen Movie. While his time in the MCU as Captain America didn’t give him much of a chance to show off his sense of humor, his post-credits scene in Deadpool & Wolverine revealed that Evans is more than capable of bringing it to a superhero setting. Fantomex could be the perfect vessel to return Chris Evans’ comedy stylings to the MCU after The Human Torch’s unfortunate demise.
Fantomex is an obscure mutant with a unique power that manifests in the form of a sentient organic spaceship, using a variety of other skills like marksmanship, thievery, and misdirection to befuddle his foes. Written with an outrageous French accent, Fantomex is a valuable opportunity for Chris Evans to return to the MCU incognito, thanks to his trademark balaclava. If the MCU ever needs a comedic masked mutant to rival Deadpool, they should look no further than Evans as Fantomex.
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Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
Release Date February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
Release Date May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Release Date July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
Release Date July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
Release Date May 7, 2027
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