Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans played two of the most popular and iconic members of The Avengers in Iron Man and Captain America, respectively. But both have seemingly moved on from the MCU, following the dramatic events of Avengers: Endgame. Could they ever come back, though?
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige told Discussing Film that Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine might demonstrate that such a thing is possible, if handled correctly.
“How do you do it in a way that maintains what has come before, and in a great way? And we’ve been spending, you know, the last two-plus years figuring that out for Wolverine. So, what’s to come? We’ll see. We’re just proud that we, I think, have figured it out for Wolverine. I think Hugh’s appearance and starring role in [Deadpool & Wolverine] is a great sign that it can be done–if great care is taken,” Feige said.
For what it’s worth, Downey Jr. has said multiple times he would consider returning as Iron Man. He most recently said Iron Man is the “most like-me character” he’s ever played, and that he has become “surprisingly open-minded” about suiting up again.
Downey Jr. initially stepped away from Marvel to focus on being an actor again. That plan worked out very well for him, as Downey Jr. finally won his first Oscar for Oppenheimer earlier this year.
As for Evans, he hasn’t ruled out coming back to play Captain America again, though he’s acknowledged he wouldn’t do it just to make money. 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World features Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson character taking up the mantle to become Captain America.
The next Avengers movie is in the works now and could feature 60 different MCU characters. The next Marvel movie is Deadpool & Wolverine, which comes to theaters on July 26.
