Anthony Mackie Confirms Chris Evans Is Not Returning as Captain America in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’

The possibility of Chris Evans returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been one of the most eagerly awaited aspects of the ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ rollout. This anticipation follows the conclusion of Steve Rogers’ storyline in ‘Avengers: Endgame’, where an aged Steve passed his shield to Sam Wilson and chose to live a quiet life with Peggy Carter. Fans have been speculating about how and when Evans might make his comeback.

The excitement intensified when Marvel confirmed Evans’ involvement in the film, especially since Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson has been established as the new Captain America. With both actors appearing in the same movie, speculation arose about whether Evans would reclaim the Captain America mantle.

Mackie has now dispelled that theory. In an interview with Variety after Marvel’s Hall H panel at Comic-Con, he clarified that while Chris Evans is returning as Steve Rogers, he will not be reprising the role of Captain America. Instead, Mackie hinted that Steve may adopt the identity of Nomad in the film.

Mackie delved into the comic book origins of this idea, noting that in the comics, Steve Rogers becomes Nomad. He challenged those questioning this reference to actually read the comics instead of merely claiming to be fans. Mackie emphasized the importance of being a true fan of the source material.

When asked if this storyline could unfold in the film, Mackie kept his response light-hearted, joking that he had no idea and claiming he doesn’t even watch movies. This playful remark left the possibility open without confirming any specific details about how Steve’s identity shift might be portrayed on screen.

In Marvel Comics, Nomad is the identity Steve Rogers takes on after stepping away from the Captain America role, following the revelation that the President was secretly leading the villainous Secret Empire. This storyline eventually sees Steve reclaim the Captain America identity after a brief hiatus.

Evans has previously discussed the conditions under which he would return to the franchise, expressing that he wanted a meaningful reason for Steve Rogers’ reappearance. He indicated that ‘Doomsday’ provided the perfect justification for bringing his character back into the narrative.

The long-awaited return was teased in a surprise clip shown before screenings of ‘Avatar, Fire and Ash’, featuring Steve riding a motorcycle home, packing away his old Captain America suit, and holding a baby. This moment was widely interpreted as confirmation of the life he built with Peggy Carter after stepping away from the battlefield. Evans also made a live appearance at Marvel’s Comic-Con panel, marking his first convention appearance related to the character since ‘Endgame’.

Evans is also set to return for ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ in 2027, with production expected to begin later this year. This suggests that whatever identity Steve adopts in ‘Doomsday’ will likely carry over into the next major chapter of the franchise.

With ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ scheduled for release on December 18, fans won’t have to wait long to discover how Steve Rogers fits into a world where Sam Wilson has already taken on the Captain America title.

Do you think Steve Rogers will actually take on the Nomad identity in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’? Share your thoughts in the comments.