Fans Think This OG Avenger Is Secretly Filming Avengers: Doomsday After New Photos Surface

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Despite Chris Evans stating he’s finished portraying Captain America, Marvel enthusiasts have found themselves in a whirlwind online following the emergence of fresh photos and videos of the actor at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. During the promotion of his new movie, “Sacrifice“, Evans caused a stir when he appeared significantly more muscular than in recent times and sported a seldom-seen clean-shaven style reminiscent of Captain America’s alter ego Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In December 2026, the much-anticipated movie “Avengers: Doomsday” is set to hit theaters, currently being filmed in the UK with Robert Downey Jr., a longtime friend and original Avenger co-star of Chris Evans, joining the cast. This unexpected news has sparked wild theories about Evans potentially reprising his role as Rogers in the film, though any such decision could carry challenging implications.

It’s possible that Evans’ toned physique is linked to the movie “Avengers: Doomsday”, and if so, it wouldn’t be unprecedented for an actor to undergo a body transformation to portray a Marvel superhero. For instance, Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor, has gained notoriety for undergoing eight weeks of intense training followed by a four-week diet to sculpt his body for the Asgardian God of Thunder role.

Kumail Nanjiani, notably, went through an extensive year-long makeover with the aid of fitness experts and dietitians before playing Kingo in the 2021 film, Eternals. On the other hand, Evans increased his musculature significantly for his first Captain America appearance, dedicating three months to intense weight training, and avoiding cardio to preserve his physique.

Evans Denies Avengers Doomsday Casting Rumors

It’s possible that Evans’ latest muscular physique is connected to “Avengers: Doomsday”, and this isn’t the first time an actor has altered their body to embody a Marvel superhero. For instance, Chris Hemsworth, who played Thor, significantly built up his muscles over eight weeks of intense training, followed by a four-week period of calorie reduction. Similarly, Kumail Nanjiani underwent a year-long transformation, seeking help from trainers and nutritionists, to play Kingo in “Eternals” (2021). Evans himself also beefed up for his initial Captain America role, dedicating three months to weight training while avoiding cardio to maintain his size.

Chris Evans is well-known for portraying the skinny, ambitious hero-turned-super-soldier character from 2011 to 2019 across ten films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His appearances included brief roles that might have been overlooked in movies like “Thor: The Dark World,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and “Captain Marvel.” However, after handing Captain America’s shield over to Sam Wilson in 2019’s “Avengers: Endgame,” Evans has shifted his focus to other ventures. Yet, there have been persistent whispers about his potential comeback in the cinematic universe.

Credit goes to Evans, as he asserted back in June 2025 during an interview with Screen Rant, that he had no involvement with the movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday”.

As a fan eagerly following the Avengers saga, I can’t help but wonder if you’ve had any chats with Robert Downey Jr. and the Russos since they officially signed on. After all, they’re not just colleagues anymore, they’re friends. And while it’s bittersweet to imagine them working without me, I suspect their latest project will be nothing short of amazing. I can’t help but feel a pang of ‘I wasn’t invited to the party’ syndrome when it eventually releases.

Evans’ denials aren’t surprising, as he’s expressed concerns about reprising his role as Steve Rogers for quite some time. Back in 2022, during an interview with ComicBook.com, he elaborated on the reasons for his hesitation.

According to some rumors, it seems there could be more Captain America to look forward to. Personally, I speculate that the plot may involve the return of the Infinity Stones…

Chris Evans expresses, “Indeed, it seems many appreciate the idea. However, I don’t want to let anyone down, but truthfully, I’m just not sure… It was such an amazing journey, and I’m incredibly content with it. It holds a special place in my heart. To return to it, it would have to be flawless. Revisiting something so dear to me feels quite intimidating.

In a span of two years, Evans reappeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portraying his “Fantastic Four” character Johnny Storm, in the 2024 film titled “Deadpool & Wolverine“. The unexpected and colorful comeback sparked excitement among fans who speculated that Evans might resume his role as Rogers. Considering Marvel’s knack for last-minute casting twists, some spectators are skeptical about the denial this time around. However, whether Evans is secretly on set or not, a larger concern lies in the matter of timing rather than spoilers.

Sam Wilson’s Captain America Is Still Finding His Footing

Ever since Steve Rogers handed over the role of Captain America to Sam Wilson, or Anthony Mackie’s character, in “Avengers: Endgame”, Marvel has found it challenging to establish a clear identity for its new Captain America.

As a movie buff, I must admit that while 2021’s “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” provided Sam with a fitting coronation scene in its finale, the series as a whole drew mixed reactions from viewers. Instead of offering Sam another chance to shine in a more character-centric narrative, 2025’s “Captain America: Brave New World” was met with significant criticism. To make matters worse, in a film featuring Harrison Ford as the President of the United States, Danny Ramirez as the charming sidekick Joaquin Torres, and Carl Lumbly as the tragic hero Isaiah Bradley, it’s unfortunate that Captain America himself became the least memorable character in his own movie.

To enable Sam Wilson (Falcon) to earn the acclaim and affection from movie audiences similar to Steve Rogers’ (Captain America) in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” or “Avengers: Infinity War”, it is essential that he gets room to develop and a public that treats him with respect as Captain America. This becomes challenging when Chris Evans appears simultaneously, during Wilson’s first time leading the Avengers, subtly reminding everyone that he was the one who originally wielded the star-spangled shield.

Steve Rogers Was the Blueprint, but He Can’t Be the Future

It’s undeniable that Steve Rogers has become one of the most cherished figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) over its 15-year run, playing a pivotal role in the Infinity Saga. As the Avengers’ ethical guide, inspiring leader, and fearless warrior, he was the one whom others were eager to follow into battle. Reintroducing him, even for a brief appearance, would undoubtedly create buzz and excite fans more than any other singular event so far in the Multiverse Saga. However, it might also seem like a reliance on past successes.

As a die-hard Marvel fan, I can’t help but notice the exciting direction the franchise is heading in. They’ve openly announced their rebuilding phase, and it’s clear we’re nearing the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga – a journey that has certainly stirred up some intense debates among fans.

In the immediate future, Sam Wilson, our new Captain America, is stepping into the limelight, ready to assemble an extraordinary team. Alongside Thor, the mighty God of Thunder (played by Chris Hemsworth), Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu (portrayed by Simu Liu), the clever Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), our faithful Falcon, and the brilliant Shuri, the Black Panther (Letitia Wright) – this team promises action-packed adventures.

However, if Steve Rogers were to make a comeback in a way that threatens or undermines Sam’s leadership, it could create an awkward situation, as fans might find such a move hard to swallow, given the trust we’ve placed in our new Cap.

The situation could potentially exacerbate an unfortunate pattern, where Marvel Studios may not have adequately handled projects featuring Black heroes. For instance, the marketing for Ryan Coogler’s Ironheart and Eyes of Wakanda seems minimal, and the alteration of Rhodey’s (Don Cheadle) history in Secret Invasion is questionable. The portrayal of several Black characters within the franchise raises concerns, and Steve Rogers’ rumored return in Doomsday might unwittingly continue this troubling trend.

Chris Evans Can Return to the MCU if Done Right

Incorporating Evans into the storyline becomes simpler without disrupting Sam’s development, as Marvel has previously demonstrated with tales spanning multiple universes, like Deadpool & Wolverine. This flexibility allows for a Steve Rogers character that doesn’t originate from Earth-616.

Perhaps we’ll encounter an alternative Steve, one who didn’t crash in the Arctic and lived to wear the HYDRA-Cap, or maybe even the Steve who put on the HYDRA Stomper armor in the “What If…?” series.

If Marvel intends to re-involve Evans, keeping things concise might be advisable, particularly until the chaos of “Avengers: Secret Wars” in 2027 subsides. For quite some time, Marvel has been positioning Sam as the future Captain America. However, giving Steve substantial story significance in “Doomsday” implies a lack of confidence in Sam handling the role on his own. This is not only an issue for Sam but also poses a challenge to the MCU’s capacity to progress.

It’s possible that Chris Evans could be filming “Avengers: Doomsday,” though it hasn’t been confirmed yet. If he is, Marvel Studios should consider carefully how they utilize him in the movie. The focus should not solely be on satisfying nostalgic fans, but rather on providing ample space for Sam Wilson to truly shine as Captain America, not a secondary or temporary version, but as the main Captain America.

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2025-09-10 19:39