Avengers: Doomsday is set to feature a multitude of new and returning stars to the MCU, including Chris Evans in a reported return to Captain America. While this news will excite many fans, it also undermines one of Marvel Studios’ most significant films.

Evans’ return as Steve Rogers/Captain America has been rumored for quite some time, but it has now been confirmed in teaser trailers that have begun airing alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash. Without going into detail, the trailer confirms that Steve Rogers will be back in Avengers: Doomsday.

While it remains unclear how much of Chris Evans will be featured in the latest Avengers movie, his inclusion comes as a surprise. Evans’ role seemed to have concluded in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, and his sudden return now in Doomsday complicates and diminishes the impact of that film in hindsight.

Avengers: Endgame could be undermined by Chris Evans’ Return

When Avengers: Endgame was released in 2019, it was intended to serve as the culmination of a decade of storytelling within the MCU. The film not only concluded with an epic battle against Thanos but also provided a farewell to several long-standing veterans of the MCU, including Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, and others.

Specifically, Evans’ Steve Rogers relinquishes the title of Captain America, passing his shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson while choosing instead to travel back in time and live out his life with Peggy Carter—an opportunity he never had. This ending provided a satisfying conclusion for Rogers and seemed to confirm that Evans would not return.

In addition to its emotional moments, Endgame was also a massive box office success. The film grossed just under $2.8 billion globally and briefly held the title of the highest-grossing film of all time. For all intents and purposes, this movie was the perfect way to conclude an entire era of the MCU and transition into the next chapter.

Now, however, much of that seems to be called into question. Not only is Evans returning as Steve Rogers, but Robert Downey Jr. is also back, this time portraying Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom. Other stars are rumored to be making appearances in Doomsday as well, all seemingly aimed at steering the MCU back on course after a few years of inconsistent box office returns for some post-Endgame films.

Regardless of whether Evans returns full-time as Captain America or not, his inclusion in the movie is sure to thrill fans. Evans is one of the most popular actors in the MCU, and Marvel Studios clearly anticipated that his return would generate a significant reaction. However, this decision appears to undermine their own storytelling efforts, making what was an emotional conclusion for a character in a decades-long narrative feel largely meaningless.

Originally published by Anthony Nash at SuperHeroHype.