Marvel fan theories about Chris Evans's MCU return have already started, from Beyonder to Captain Hydra

Captain America in Avengers: Endgame
(Image credit: Disney/Marvel)

The news that Chris Evans would be returning to Marvel in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday has already prompted fan theories.

Of course, Evans returned in Deadpool and Wolverine as Johnny Storm, though he was killed off pretty quickly by Cassandra Nova.

Fans are speculating about how Evans might be returning – and as who. "Possibly Old Man Cap, but more likely a multiversal variant of someone. I think Evans as Avengers Cap appears in Secret Wars, not Doomsday," says one person. "He could just be the actual Cap. He hasn't died yet," points out someone else.

"Probably Old Steve Rogers as the new SHIELD director, leading the AoS team," guesses someone else.

"Beyonder would be clever, on top of being Cap of course," says another fan – in the comics, Beyonder is a cosmic entity who forces Marvel characters to fight on Battleworld in the Secret Wars arc, which is the title of Avengers 6.

"Captain Hydra," guesses another person, referring to the Secret Empire comic book arc that saw Cap revealed as a hidden Hydra agent.

We'll have to wait and see how Evans's return shakes out, but we do know that Robert Downey Jr. will be back – though as Doctor Doom – and the Russo Brothers are returning to direct.

"Why would we come back if we didn't feel like we had a story that had that possibility of being on an equal footing with Infinity War and Endgame unless there's a kernel there for an idea that's really explosive?" Joe Russo told us recently of his and Anthony Russo's return.

Avengers: Doomsday lands on May 1, 2026. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Marvel movies and TV shows to fill out your watchlist.

Molly Edwards
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm a Senior Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English. 

Read more
Chris Evans as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame
Chris Evans says it's "not true" that he's returning as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday: "Happily retired!"
Avengers: Doomsday
Captain America star Anthony Mackie says he really wants to work with Chris Evans again amid Avengers: Doomsday rumors
Anthony Mackie in Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World star Anthony Mackie teases he's most excited for "the two worlds coming together and creating a super MCU" in the new Avengers movies
Robert Downey Jr announces his Doctor Doom casting at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
"He is so dialed in": Robert Downey Jr. is coming up with backstory and costume ideas for Doctor Doom ahead of Avengers: Doomsday
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
Avengers: Doomsday concept art reportedly "leaks" to reveal major returning MCU characters
Spider-Man: No Way Home
This is why fans think Spider-Man will become the MCU's most important character after Avengers: Doomsday
Latest in Marvel Movies
Wanda in Doctor Strange
Scarlet Witch star Elizabeth Olsen is one of the first Marvel actors to say she's not in the next pair of Avengers movies
She-Hulk on Disney Plus
Tatiana Maslany canceled a Comic Con appearance due to "filming commitments", and it could mean She-Hulk is in the next Avengers movie
Charlie Cox in Daredevil
Daredevil star Charlie Cox says keeping his Spider-Man: No Way Home cameo a secret for two years was a "nightmare"
Avengers: Doomsday directors admit it's a "difficult" movie to make but tease some great Marvel collaborators "old and new"
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
The Russo Brothers say Robert Downey Jr. "tried to talk us into" doing another Avengers movie but they "said no" until they heard the pitch for Doomsday: "That story has to be told"
Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia!
Mean Girls star Amanda Seyfried was offered the role of Gamora in the MCU, but turned it down because she thought Guardians of the Galaxy would be "Marvel's first bomb"
Latest in News
Wanda in Doctor Strange
Scarlet Witch star Elizabeth Olsen is one of the first Marvel actors to say she's not in the next pair of Avengers movies
Street Fighter
Almost a year after losing Talk to Me directors, Sony's Street Fighter movie has been pulled from the studio's release schedule
Pedro Pascal as Joel in The Last of Us
Pedro Pascal opens up about his "unhealthy mindset" going into The Last of Us season 2: "I kind of feel their pain"
Ben Mendelsohn in Andor season 2
Andor season 2 could be about to turn one of the darkest events in Star Wars even darker
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
As Assassin's Creed Shadows is showered in positive reviews, Ubisoft is "truly overwhelmed by the incredible support and enthusiasm we've received"
Dune Awakening
Dune Awakening launches for $50 without a stay in early access, and while the survival MMO "will not have a monthly subscription" it will have "optional" paid DLC