Avengers 5 & 6 Could Reunite Robert Downey Jr. & Chris Evans In The MCU, But Not How You Think

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Summary Robert Downey Jr. has been confirmed to be returning to the MCU in Phase 6, debuting as Doctor Doom.

Chris Evans' return as Johnny Storm's Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine means he and Robert Downey Jr. could reunite in the MCU's future.

Bringing Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans back together as archenemies would be a great way to reunite the MCU legends.

Since Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU, it's possible he could reunite with Chris Evans in Avengers: Doomsday or Avengers: Secret Wars, but his new Marvel character means this reunion would have a dark twist. There has been a noticeable void in the MCU since Robert Downey Jr. departed the franchise in 2019's Avengers: Endgame. Tony Stark's Iron Man, a role Downey Jr. played for over a decade, sacrificed himself to save the universe, but the Academy Award-winning actor will soon be reintroduced to the MCU as someone with a very different goal.

At SDCC 2024, Marvel Studios confirmed not only the return of directing duo the Russo brothers, but also Robert Downey Jr., who will take on the role of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, previously The Kang Dynasty, and Secret Wars. This transition will see Downey Jr. go from playing one of the most significant heroes to one of Marvel's most formidable and notable villains. Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom will create emotional and intense moments in the MCU's Phase 6, which could include one with his former MCU co-star, Chris Evans.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Marvel Movies Year Role Iron Man 2008 Tony Stark's Iron Man The Incredible Hulk 2008 Tony Stark's Iron Man Iron Man 2 2010 Tony Stark's Iron Man The Avengers 2012 Tony Stark's Iron Man Iron Man 3 2013 Tony Stark's Iron Man Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 Tony Stark's Iron Man Captain America: Civil War 2016 Tony Stark's Iron Man Spider-Man: Homecoming 2017 Tony Stark's Iron Man Avengers: Infinity War 2018 Tony Stark's Iron Man Avengers: Endgame 2019 Tony Stark's Iron Man Avengers: Doomsday 2026 Victor Von Doom's Doctor Doom Avengers: Secret Wars 2027 Victor Von Doom's Doctor Doom

Chris Evans' Human Torch Could Face RDJ's Doctor Doom

Robert Downey Jr. wasn't the only MCU legend to leave the franchise in Avengers: Endgame, as the Phase 3 movie also wrapped up Chris Evans' journey as Steve Rogers' Captain America. Since then, there have been calls for Downey Jr. and Evans to reunite in the MCU, with many hoping that multiversal variants of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers could fight alongside each other again at the end of the Multiverse Saga. However, Downey Jr.'s reintroduction as Doctor Doom means this reunion could be much darker.

Instead of returning as Steve Rogers' Captain America, Chris Evans could deliver another performance as Johnny Storm's Human Torch. Evans originally debuted in 2005's Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel at 20th Century Fox, and shockingly returned as the Human Torch in 2024's Deadpool & Wolverine. His recent return as the flaming hero suggests he'd be open to reprise the role in the MCU's future, particularly if pitted against Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom, who is usually depicted as the archenemy of the Fantastic Four team.

Related Chris Evans Addresses His MCU Return With New Set Photo: "A Dream Come True" In a new set photo posted on his official Instagram account, Captain America star Chris Evans addresses his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Why This Reunion Would Be Perfect For The MCU

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Even though it would be brilliant to see Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark and Chris Evans' Steve Rogers back in action in the MCU, the pair reuniting as Doctor Doom and the Human Torch instead might be even more perfect. Downey Jr. was originally in talks to portray Victor Von Doom in 2005's Fantastic Four, but lost the role to Julian McMahon. Had he been cast, Downey Jr. and Evans would have battled each other years before joining the MCU, so Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars can imagine what this fight may have looked like.

The questionable live-action legacies of Doctor Doom and Johnny Storm could be strengthened massively.

Many have expressed their desire to see Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans back in the MCU, but this often comes with concerns that the pair's satisfying endings from Avengers: Endgame would be undone. Bringing the acclaimed actors back as Doctor Doom and the Human Torch would prevent these concerns from coming to fruition. Tony Stark can remain dead, while Steve Rogers can remain in his happy life with Peggy Carter, though the questionable live-action legacies of Doctor Doom and Johnny Storm could be strengthened massively.

Will Chris Evans Actually Return For Avengers 5 & 6?

Chris Evans has revealed how excited he was to get the call from Ryan Reynolds to appear as Johnny Storm's Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine. He later stated that "playing Johnny again was a dream come true," suggesting that he'd be up for reprising the role again. This perhaps makes his return as the Human Torch in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars more likely, though his reprisal of his more-iconic role of Steve Rogers' Captain America is perhaps less likely.

Chris Evans' Marvel Movies Year Role Fantastic Four 2005 Johnny Storm's Human Torch Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer 2007 Johnny Storm's Human Torch Captain America: The First Avenger 2011 Steve Rogers' Captain America The Avengers 2012 Steve Rogers' Captain America Thor: The Dark World 2013 Loki Captain America: The Winter Soldier 2014 Steve Rogers' Captain America Avengers: Age of Ultron 2015 Steve Rogers' Captain America Ant-Man 2015 Steve Rogers' Captain America Captain America: Civil War 2016 Steve Rogers' Captain America Spider-Man: Homecoming 2017 Steve Rogers' Captain America Avengers: Infinity War 2018 Steve Rogers' Captain America Captain Marvel 2019 Steve Rogers' Captain America Avengers: Endgame 2019 Steve Rogers' Captain America Deadpool & Wolverine 2024 Johnny Storm's Human Torch

When asked by Entertainment Weekly whether he think it's the right time to bring Steve Rogers' Captain America back to the MCU, Chris Evans stated, "no, not really." Marvel Studios may be breathing a sigh of relief about this, as Variety reported that Robert Downey Jr.'s return is costing the studio "significantly more" than the Russo brothers' $80 million check for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Evans' paycheck wouldn't be far off this, so any return for Steve Rogers or Johnny Storm would likely only be brief, but Chris Evans' return is still very possible.