According to a report by Deadline, Chris Evans is in talks with Marvel to reprise his role of Steve Rogers. The last we saw Cap, he was returning all the Infinity Stones after their fight with Thanos and decided to remain in the past to finally spend a life with his love, Peggy Carter. Old Steve Rogers passes his shield and Captain America mantle down to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), and that was supposed to be the end of that.
Given the general nature of comic books, the idea of a character returning from the dead or being restored to their prime self is quite common. But we’re talking about movies and real people, not characters that can easily be re-drawn. After Endgame released, Evans commented on his status in the Marvel Cinematic Universe saying that while he’d never say never, he was also not eager to return as Cap. Well, that didn’t really last long (even though Evans denied the Deadline report) as we’re now in full speculation mode as to how we’ll see Rogers make his triumphant return. So without further ado, here are four ways that Kevin Feige could re-introduce Captain America back in the MCU.
Old Steve Rogers
So like I mentioned, last we saw Rogers he was an old man. If Feige were going to bring him back to the present state of the MCU, get ready for more wrinkly Chris Evans. While I’m sure everyone would rather see young, bulked up Cap again knocking heads, there is a precedent for Old Steve Rogers; a precedent that could add a new wrinkle to the future of the MCU.
After Steve Rogers gets drained of his super-soldier serum, his old age literally catches up to him. However, his newly frail body doesn’t stop Rogers from continuing his patriotic duty and he ascends to the top of S.H.I.E.L.D. Rogers uncovers an inhumane punishment directed by Maria Hill. By use of the Cosmic Cube, Hill is re-writing the identities of criminals and forcing them to live in a community called Pleasant Hill.
Steve Rogers as an old guy could play an interesting role in the MCU. It could symbolize the passing of the torch from one set of heroes to the next. Steve Rogers brings a tactical mind and could serve as the commander or de facto leader of the Earth’s Mightiest. He can take over as a public figure for the New Avengers, while Nick Fury goes back to the shadows. We don’t necessarily need kickin’ ass Captain America, but it could be possible to restore Old Steve Rogers to his primetime self.
Restored Old Steve Rogers
So remember that Cosmic Cube Maria Hill used to change the realities of those criminals? Well, the cube becomes sentient and takes the form of a little girl named Kobik. During the eventual chaos when the criminals turn back into their real selves, Kobik restores Rogers to his prime physical form. That means the Old Steve Rogers at the end of Endgame could be restored to his former glory through the use of the Cosmic Cube.
Now where to find one? Before Thor decapitated snap-Thanos, the Mad Titan told the defeated heroes that the Infinity Stones had been reduced to atoms. Not destroyed, but reduced considerably. So that means the Cosmic Cube is still “out there” in the prime timeline. In addition, 2012 Loki is now running around with his own Cosmic Cube. Who knows what that time splinter will result in, but nevertheless if we get a continued story with Old Steve Rogers, the Cosmic Cube could be a way to get him back to fighting shape.
The Cosmic Cube is but one way Steve Rogers could be restored. There could be another super-soldier serum. Doctor Strange could find a spell in the mystic arts. Maybe Mjolnir could have the same effect on him as it does on Jane Foster. It’s anyone’s guess, but finding a way to restore Old Steve Rogers to his fighting self is the most likely route.
Period piece with Peggy Carter
Since his dramatic sacrifice in “The First Avenger”, fans have wanted nothing more than to see Steve Rogers to reunite with Peggy Carter. His decision to stay behind when returning the Infinity Stones in “Endgame” was the storybook ending to his character. But what happened since he left the present timeline and when Old Steve Rogers showed up?
A film or even short Disney+ show of Steve Rogers going on adventures with Peggy would be the perfect addition to his story. I’d think of it as like an epilogue, but it’s filling in the meaty parts of the timeline. I know the time-traveling rules are a bit wonky in the MCU, but what type of change could Steve do with Peggy by returning to the past? He’d have valuable information on the surviving faction of Hydra and could prevent the infiltration of S.H.I.E.L.D. Of course, that could cause a ripple effect down the timeline (maybe could explain the new S.W.O.R.D. division seen in WandaVision?) that could be explained through Old Steve Rogers.
Alternate universe Cap
The MCU is diving head first into the multiverse. With rumors of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield joining Tom Holland in Spider-Man 3 and the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel literally titled “and the Multiverse of Madness”, it’s not out of the question to get a Captain America from a different universe. The Doctor Strange sequel might be the most important piece of Marvel content, because it’ll most likely lay down the ground rules regarding the multiverse. We already know (potentially) that it’s going to have a major influence on Spider-Man 3, plus the many rumors on how Feige could possibly introduce the X-Men through the multiverse. Who’s to say we can’t get another Cap?
This theory is probably the weakest to me. I just don’t see Chris Evans wanting to come back to reprise Cap, but not “his” Cap. The relationships that he developed with Sam Wilson, Bucky Barnes, and we didn’t really see him grieve for the loss of Natasha Romanoff, I’d like Evans to step back into that same character. Ultimately, there’s a better chance of Evans making a cameo as the Human Torch than another Captain America from an alternate universe.
To summarize, there’s a few convenient ways for Feige to integrate Chris Evans back into the MCU. If Feige decides to pick up Cap’s story from the end of “Endgame” there’s a way for him to get his powers back so he’s not old and frail forever. Plus, the reports on the usage of Captain America would be on the same level as Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming or Civil War. Not the main star of the show, but a solid supporting cast. That should give Feige a bit more creative wriggly room in how exactly he wants to drop Rogers back in the thick of things and not miss a beat.
Regardless of how or where or when we’ll see him back in action, one thing is for sure: it’s time to suit back up, Steve Rogers.
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