The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to be a wildly popular franchise, with new releases hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have seen a ton of heroes introduced, starting off with Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark in Iron Man. While Jon Favreau's 2008 movie was a huge gamble, the Oscar-winning actor recently shouted out two of his Avengers co-stars for playing two heroes that were especially difficult to pull off.

Moviegoers can't wait to see RDJ as Doctor Doom in the next Avengers movie, but the 61-year-old actor is also looking back on what came before. During an interview with CBR, Downey spoke to the two actors he thinks had the hardest job when bringing their heroes to life on the big screen. In his words:

Honestly, I get his perspective. On paper, both Captain America and Doctor Strange are two Marvel heroes who might be challenging to play, and could potentially end up coming off pretty goofy. Luckily, the studio had stellar actors like Chris Evans and Benedict Cumberbatch playing those roles, respectively. And Robert Downey Jr. is (rightfully) giving flowers to his co-stars for making Cap and Strange into beloved figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

I can definitely see RDJ's point, especially when it comes to Benedict Cumberbatch in particular. When Doctor Strange arrived in theaters 2016, it was the first time the MCU brought magic into the shared universe (aside from Loki's abilities). The Sherlock actor had an uphill battle in pulling this off, as well as making Stephen Strange feel like a real person. He balanced humor and heart in the movie, while casting spells and bringing trippy visuals into the universe. Fans really responded to it, and he's become an important presence in the MCU as a whole. As for Chris Evans, he succeeded in making Steve Rogers the heart of the entire franchise.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but both Chris Evans and Benedict Cumberbatch are expected to reprise their roles in the mysterious blockbuster. Fans are eager to see how the mysterious story will go down, and how the Avengers will react when meeting Doctor Doom... especially since he'll be having the same face as their dead friend Tony Stark.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. And with the press tour coming up, hopefully Robert Downey Jr. will grace us with more of his Marvel hot takes.

Ever since the teaser trailer for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday confirmed Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers, Marvel fans have been trying to figure out whether Captain America is back for one last mission or whether the actor's comeback extends beyond a single flick to even more upcoming Marvel movies. Well, we have finally gotten our answer, and it's in one of the least Marvel-like ways imaginable.

A fan-recorded Instagram video featuring Evans has been making the rounds online after the actor seemingly confirmed that he'll also appear in Avengers: Secret Wars. Not through a Hall H presentation or a carefully staged press release, but during what appears to be a Cameo video bought for a fan by her husband. In the clip, Evans discussed his upcoming schedule and revealed:

That's about as close to an official confirmation as fans are likely to get from Marvel this far out. And it's sure to excite the generations of fans out there.

Steve Rogers' Story Apparently Isn't Ending With Doomsday

Evans is already expected to have a major role in Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives on the 2026 movie calendar this December. But confirmation that he'll continue into Secret Wars immediately reignited debate about what Marvel ultimately plans to do with Steve Rogers.

Will this be the character's final farewell? Is Marvel preparing a permanent return? Or could this be one more Multiverse Saga appearance before the shield is passed again?

Those questions have become even more interesting because Evans isn't the only familiar face returning. Robert Downey Jr. is back in the MCU as Doctor Doom, while multiple Fox-era X-Men actors have reportedly joined the expanding cast. The next two Avengers movies increasingly look like a celebration of Marvel's cinematic history as they set up the future of the company's IP.

Of course, not everyone agrees that Steve Rogers should return permanently. Avengers: Endgame gave the character a heartfelt ending, and both The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World attempted to establish Sam Wilson as the new Captain America.

Still, Steve Rogers remains one of the MCU's most beloved characters, and Evans' return has generated enormous excitement.

Secret Wars Could Be Getting Even Bigger

Meanwhile, another Marvel rumor continues to gain momentum. An insider recently claimed that Sadie Sink is "100%" playing Jean Grey in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with reports also suggesting the Stranger Things actress could continue into Secret Wars.

Nothing about Sink's role has been officially confirmed by Marvel, but speculation has only intensified as Brand New Day's marketing campaign ramps up. There have been several toy leaks revealing the character to have pink powers of some kind, only making fans more confident that we are about to see the actress take on one of the all-time favorite Marvel mutants.

That movie has already generated plenty of theories of its own. Recent promotional events featuring Tom Holland and Zendaya have teased the involvement of The Hand, though Marvel remains tight-lipped about exactly how the ninja organization factors into the story.

Honestly, I kind of love that we learned about Evans' apparent Secret Wars return this way. Marvel spends years constructing elaborate reveal strategies, only for one of its biggest stars to casually drop the information while talking to fans. It feels pretty fitting. After all, Steve Rogers has always been one of the MCU's most straightforwardly honest heroes.

Avengers: Doomsday arrives Dec. 18, with Avengers: Secret Wars following one year later. Between those films and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel's future is looking increasingly crowded with familiar faces. And one of those familiar faces remains Chris Evans.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always keeping fans on their toes, thanks to consistently releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Arguably, the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which is the shared universe's next big crossover. The movie will feature the return of Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, and they recently clashed on the stage of CinemaCon, to hilarious results.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but that changed a bit thanks to the footage that debuted at CinemaCon. In a video making the rounds online on Instagram, Downey and Evans had a faux fight, with the latter talking crap about the villain Doctor Doom. In his words:

Considering the fact that Doctor Doom is a threat to the entire multiverse, can you blame him? Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. clearly have a ton of love for each other, but fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are ready to see them play adversaries. They hammed it up a bit for the crowd at CinemaCon, with RDJ responding by saying:

The Russo Brothers personally broke up this "fight" as fans cheered. This give and take, as well as the new footage, have never made the next Avengers movie feel more real. And while Chris Evans wasn't included in the Doomsday cast announcement, it seems like he's going to be back in a big way for the forthcoming blockbuster.

The Captain America Doomsday teaser confirmed Evans would be returning, and fans can't wait to see exactly how Steve Rogers is brought back into the fold. It seems like he'll have a major role in the next Avengers movie, rather than a small cameo. You can see the clip of him and Robert Downey Jr. below:

Anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday has been steadily building, with the movie finally being released this December. The pressure is on for the Russo Brothers to deliver, as they did so flawlessly in Infinity War and Endgame. This is especially true given the peaks and valleys that have come to the MCU since then, including box office bombs like The Marvels. But seeing RDJ and Evans back onscreen together might be exactly what the universe needs.

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully, we get a full trailer soon, as the movie is only a few months away.

Alba Baptista has steadily been carving out a lane for herself as an actress, landing roles in both movies and TV shows. Her credits include the likes of Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, Warrior Nun and the upcoming A24 film Mother Mary. Like a number of actors, Baptista also seems to have a bit of a support system, and hers just happens to include her husband, Chris Evans. Baptista and Evans rarely speak about each other in public, but the former did have a sweet take after being asked about Evans having her back.

It was during the premiere of Mother Mary – one of the most unique-looking titles on the 2026 movie schedule – that Baptista (28) was asked about her spouse. ET (during an interview shared to Instagram) specifically posed the question of what it was like for the Borderline star to have Evans (44) in her corner. With that, Baptista shared a sweet, five-word answer:

To be completely honest, I’m tempted to say that a lot of fans would agree with the actress’ assessment about her spouse. It’s true that many of us don’t actually know Chris Evans personally but, based on his public persona, he seems to be an affable guy. He’s also endeared himself to fans in a myriad of ways, and that’s not just through his great performances, including his turn as Captain America. All in all, I have no trouble imagining Evans being a supportive spouse to his wife.

Evans and Baptista were first linked romantically around 2021 and, while the pair dropped hints about their romance after the fact, they didn’t go Instagram official until 2023. From there, the two were somewhat more open about their romance, with Evans even sharing a sweet Valentine's Day tribute to his lady not long after they confirmed their relationship on IG. Baptista and Evans took the next step in their relationship later in 2023, as they got married that October during a very low-key wedding in Evans’ hometown, Boston.

After the fact, Evans confirmed the wedding when he appeared at a New York Comic Con panel, and he expressed excitement about having tied the knot with his partner. It was during that same event that Evans was photographed wearing his wedding ring, much to the delight of fans across social media. The Knives Out star also later revealed that he proposed to Baptista in her native language, Portuguese.

Baptista and Evans have also since become parents, as the former welcomed their first child back in October 2025. It still seems like the two are very much in love and standing firmly alongside each other. On that note, Baptista also shared how helpful her hubby had been in regard to her career:

Evans previously revealed that he would help his wife prepare for auditions, and he also said he was open to working with Baptista on something. I like the idea of the couple sharing the screen together at some point. However, what really warms my heart is the notion of them leaning on each other both professionally and personally.

Avengers: Doomsday will be one of the final 2026 movie releases, but Marvel Studios has already gotten a jump start on promoting it. Four teasers for the upcoming Marvel movie were released from late December to mid-January, including one of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor praying to his late father, Odin. However, when Hemsworth was recently asked about the Doomsday rollout, he selected a different teaser as his favorite one.

Among the many things to look forward to in Avengers: Doomsday is the return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. Although Evans hasn’t been absent from the MCU that long, having reprised Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine, this will be his first appearance as Steve since Avengers: Endgame in 2019. Hemsworth brought up his co-star’s Doomsday teaser while speaking with GamesRadar+, saying:

Although there have been rumors of Chris Evans playing an evil Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday, in this preview, we appear to be looking at the same Steve who was introduced back in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. You’ll recall at the end of Avengers: Endgame, he ventured back to those alternate timelines to return the Infinity Stones and Thor’s hammer, but then when he returned, he was an elderly man who’d decided to stay in the past to live a “beautiful” life with Peggy Carter. The elderly Steve was last seen giving his shield to Sam Wilson, making him the new Captain America.

Now Avengers: Doomsday is giving us the opportunity to spend more time with the younger Steve, who’s now a father. No official reason has been given yet for how he fits into the story, although it’s rumored that Doctor Doom will recruit him to help gain the trust of the heroes on Earth-616. Whether that’s true or not, Chris Hemsworth was impressed by how Marvel Studios revealed Evans’ involvement in Doomsday, as well as how Steve and Evans are both now fathers. Evans and his wife, Alba Baptista, welcomed their daughter, Alma Grace, in October 2025.

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo said earlier this month that Steve Rogers’ “central role” to the Avengers and wider MCU meant that they couldn’t envision making Avengers: Doomsday without him in it. And then, of course, Robert Downey Jr. is transitioning from playing Tony Stark to Doctor Doom, though it remains to be seen for what reason those characters look alike. Between them and several of the original X-Men movies actors reprising their roles, Doomsday feels like it’ll be a homecoming of sorts.

Though Avengers: Doomsday doesn’t come out until December 18, ideally one of the trailers released will shed some light on what we can expect from Steve Rogers. This is the only 2026 movie Chris Evans is set to appear in, but Chris Hemsworth can be seen in Crime 101 starting this Friday, February 13.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always keeping fans on their toes, thanks to the steady release of content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will be a multiversal crossover event. The Russo Brothers are back behind the camera, and they recently offered a cryptic comment about Chris Evans' return to the MCU. And while it didn't reveal anything about the movie itself, they explained him returning as Steve Rogers for the first time since Endgame's ending.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, leading to plenty of rumors and fan theories arriving online. Following the Doomsday cast announcement, a teaser featuring Chris Evans' Steve Rogers confirmed his return in the blockbuster. In a conversation with Empire Magazine (via Twitter), The Russo Brothers explained their choice to bring the beloved hero back. In their words:

While being careful to guard the movie's secrets, it sounds like the story being told in Avengers: Doomsday is what warranted Chris Evans' return as his signature character. This might be a relief for skeptics, who were worried that the Russos were tarnishing Steve Roger's happy ending with Peggy. Of course, we'll have to wait and see how this all shakes out when the title hits theaters this coming December.

While we haven't gotten a full trailer for the next Avengers movie, fans were treated to a number of brief Doomsday teasers, revealing some crossovers and the return of the stars of the X-Men movies. And it sounds like not only will Evans be back, but Steve Rogers is essential to the project's story.

While the next Marvel movie hitting theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, fans are definitely invested in what's coming down the line with Avengers: Doomsday. Folks are eager for The Russo Brothers' movie to get a full trailer, and hopefully reveal more about what the actual story will entail. That includes exactly how Chris Evans' Captain America will join the narrative and presumably help in the fight against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

With both RDJ and Chris Evans back for the next Avengers movie, there's plenty of reasons why longtime fans of the MCU might show up to theaters. I have to assume this is purposeful, especially after projects like The Marvels bombed at the box office. Hopefully some more information comes sooner rather than later.

Avengers: Doomsday is expected to arrive in theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Fingers crossed that we get a full trailer in the near future.

There’s a lot to look forward to when Avengers: Doomsday arrives to the 2026 movies calendar at the end of the year. That includes the long-awaited return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, as well as the new cinematic Fantastic Four team meeting heroes being brought into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe following their introduction in First Steps. Well, if a new rumor for the upcoming Marvel movie is to be believed, Steve and the FF have an intriguing scene lined up that we were actually supposed to see last year.

Earlier this month, a different rumor claimed that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom will seek out the Fantastic Four on Earth-828 (it’s unclear if he’s native to that world or not) to help stop the incursions affecting the multiverse. From there, they’ll travel to the main MCU Earth, i.e. Earth-616, to warn its heroes, which was teased in the Thunderbolts* end-credits scene. Now, according to The Hot Mic’s John Rocha, the FF and Doom will also recruit Steve Rogers to help gain the Earth-616 heroes’ trust. This scene was allegedly “removed” as First Steps’ end-credits tag, but it could still be used in Avengers: Doomsday.

Having Steve Rogers around would certainly go a long ways towards convincing people like Steve Rogers, Bucky Barnes and Thor that the Fantastic Four and Doom are worth trusting. And then, of course, since Downey is playing Doom and the character showed Franklin Richards his unmasked face at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, he presumably has Tony Stark’s face. Whether that’s a disguise or if Doom is indeed a Tony variant, his appearance and Rogers’ presence are surely enough to get the Earth-616 heroes to lower their guard.

But we can’t forget that Doctor Doom is Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars’ main antagonist, so whatever ruse he’s carrying out isn’t going to be good for the actual protagonists. Case in point, the earlier rumor I mentioned also stated that the Doom, the Avengers and Fantastic Four will go over to the X-Men universe, allegedly the source of the next multiversal incursion. From the wording, it sounded like Doom would manipulate the Fantastic Four and Avengers into battling the X-Men.

Since Doctor Doom’s true nature will inevitably come to light, how is Steve Rogers going to handle eventually learning the villain was using him for his own agenda? I should also note that while some fans had theorized that Avengers: Doomsday might feature an evil Steve who aids Doom as Captain HYDRA, judging by the Steve-focused Doomsday teaser released last month, that doesn’t appear to be the case. Instead, it simply looks like we’ll reunite with the Steve we last saw in after he embarked to return the Infinity Stones to their proper timelines, but long before he returned as an elderly man who gave his shield to Sam.

In any case, take this latest Avengers: Doomsday rumor with a grain of salt for now. Hopefully we’ll get a better idea of whether it’s legit or not as we move closer to the movie’s December 18 release. You can pass some of that time by streaming Chris Evans’ past Steve Rogers appearances with your Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly treating fans to new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Arguably the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which is why there are countless rumors and theories about what might go down during its runtime. The latest of these is related to Captain America's teaser, and how it might relate to Fantastic Four: First Steps. Buckle up.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is super limited, which is why the fandom has attempted to fill in the blanks. A new rumor that's come to us courtesy of CBM claims that Steve and Peggy, who finally got to be together in Endgame, are actually living in Earth-828. This is the alternate universe that the Fantastic Four occupy in First Steps. And they are occupying the same universe, then it would explain a rumored scene from that movie featuring Chris Evans that never saw the light of day.

Obviously this is just a rumor at this point, but it could offer connective tissue between Steve Rogers and the Fantastic Four, especially related to Avengers: Doomsday. Some even think that Cap returning the Infinity Stones and getting his happy ending with Peggy might have created the alternate universe altogether. Is the the anchor being of Earth-828?

If Peggy and Cap are in that alternate universe, it would make the fact that they are seen with a baby in Doomsday far less complicated. Fans went down a wormhole when that teaser was released, wondering if that means Steve Rogers was unknowingly hooking up with a blood relative when kissing Sharon Carter in Civil War. And if the rumor turns out to be true, it would set up that the Fantastic Four are even more important to the events of Doomsday.

The Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement confirmed that the recently introduced Fantastic Four were going to get some thrilling crossover moments. The Thunderbolts* credit scene set up them meeting The New Avengers, and the Wakanda Doomsday trailer showed The Thing introducing himself to Shuri and M'Baku. Add in that Doom showed up in the final moments of First Steps, and it seems like Marvel's first family will be an important part of the next Avengers movie.

Of course, this is just a rumor at this point, and we should take it with a grain of salt. It's only one of many theories swirling around the internet, which may be a positive sign for how Doomsday will perform in theaters. The pressure is on, especially after box office bombs like The Marvels.

Our questions will finally be answered when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. While we're still almost a year away rom its release, it's unclear when The Russo Brothers will give us more plot details and a full trailer.

We’re now just 11 months away from the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday landing on the 2026 movie schedule, and speculation around the film is already running hot. One of the biggest recent talking points is the reveal that Chris Evans is returning as Captain America, teased in one of Marvel's four Doomsday teaser trailers. Naturally, fans are eager to hear reactions from anyone even remotely connected to the MCU — including Channing Tatum.

The Magic Mike star was walking the red carpet when he was asked what he thought about Evans’ return. The moment, shared on E! News’ TikTok account, captured Tatum delivering a perfectly evasive and hilarious response. He does a good job of keeping everything locked down.

Clearly, Mr. Step Up has learned a thing or two about keeping Marvel secrets under lock and key. Yes, Tatum is confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, where he’ll once again suit up as everyone’s favorite card-carrying Cajun, Gambit. Judging by his response, he’s not taking any chances, and fans know it.

Fans Are Reacting To Channing Tatum’s Response

Of course, most fans recognize the 21 Jump Street alum is being playfully cagey. A quick scroll through the comments on the video reveals just how much people are enjoying the bit:

• @NBS_MRTZ: “And he doesn’t know what he’s talking about????” – this response is hilarious as it's married to a screenshot of Tatum’s director's chair from the big ten-hour character reveal from last year.
• @Tongue: “He was hyping the movie up a month ago they must’ve got em 😂”
• @HazardTimes: “this is someone who's wanted to play his role for so long he's not risking it in the slightest.”
• @CinemaGravity: He’s loving this and I love it! 😌
• @Krystal_cos.and.more⊗: “He ain't risking losing his baby boy Gambit 😭”
• @Jullius Delagarza: “We gotta figure out what feige doing to these actors 😭😭😭”

It’s true we don’t yet know the full extent of how Cap will factor into Avengers: Doomsday, but that’s what makes the Roofman star’s response so funny. He’s not even willing to comment on something Marvel has already confirmed. The teaser featuring Evans holding a baby, which ends with the message “Steve Rogers Will Return in Avengers: Doomsday,” is already out there for everyone to see.

The Alabama-born A-lister clearly isn’t taking any chances. When it comes to Marvel spoilers, he’s playing it as safe as humanly possible, and honestly, that commitment might be the funniest part.

Tatum’s Long History With The Character Gambit

Channing Tatum’s connection to Gambit has been a saga in itself. He spent nearly a decade attached to a solo Gambit movie that bounced between directors, rewrites, and release dates before being scrapped after Disney acquired Fox. For years, it stood as one of Marvel’s biggest “what could’ve been” projects.

That’s why his eventual debut in Deadpool & Wolverine felt so satisfying. Tatum finally suited up in a comic-accurate look, leaned fully into the Cajun swagger and one-liners, and even joked about the abandoned film. With his return now confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, it’s no surprise he’s staying tight-lipped. Fans will have to wait until the movie hits theaters on December 18, 2026, to see how much screen time Gambit gets and whether he crosses paths with Steve Rogers.

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans have been buzzing about Avengers: Doomsday as of late in great part due to the flurry of teasers that have hit the web. Among those highlighted in the footage is Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers, who headlined the first of the four clips released thus far. There’s been plenty of talk amongst fans about Steve’s return to the MCU, and there’s still so much we don’t know. Now, directors Joe and Anthony Russo are teasing the size of Rogers’ role, and one concern I’ve had is growing a bit more.

What Was Said About The Size Of Steve Rogers’ Role?

It’s no secret that Doomsday has an extensive cast and will have a considerable amount of characters to service. So it’s hard not to wonder which ones the Russo brothers will zero in on in this film, which is set to be one half of the culmination of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. The Russos, of course, aren’t exactly keen on spilling the beans on their plans for the upcoming superhero movie. During an interview with Empire Magazine, one of the siblings shared (via ComicBook) their feelings on Steve’s role:

“Central” appears to be the key word here and, while the comments are brief, they do speak volumes. These sentiments seemingly suggest that Steve won’t just be popping in for a handful of scenes. So those who are eager to see their fair share of Steve may indeed have a lot to celebrate. I’ve long been a fan of the heroic (and highly quotable) Rogers, and I’m curious as to what part he’ll play in this next Avengers movie. However, due to his return, I’ve also been concerned about another character’s place within the story.

Amid Steve’s Return, I’ve Been Thinking About Another Doomsday Character

Right now, the MCU has a new Captain America, and his name is Sam Wilson. Anthony Mackie’s wing pack-wearing hero is set to return in Doomsday though, with Steve back in the picture, I’ve been concerned that Wilson could get shortchanged in this latest team-up film. It’s true that we’ve yet to receive confirmation that Steve will indeed don his red, white and blue uniform again, though it did appear in his teaser. So it's hard not to wonder what this all means for Sam.

Given the Russos’ emphasis on Rogers being a “central” element within Doomsday, I can’t help but feel more concerned about the prospect of Sam being somewhat sidelined. It’d be unfortunate if Wilson were to not receive his due as a result of his predecessor coming back into the picture. Honestly, one of the last scenes I want to see in this film is an exchange between Sam and Steve that results in the former handing his shield over to the latter.

I could, of course, just be getting ahead of myself with all of this. The Russos are, after all, skilled when it comes to balancing characters and giving them their just due. So there’s a chance that these two Caps will operate in a balanced way throughout the film. Until I see that, though, I won’t let go of my worries.

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, fans can stream the Captain America films and other MCU installments using a Disney+ subscription.

I want to try out a new type of movie quiz this week. Rather than answering questions or solving clues, for this one, we're asking you to put each actor's movies in order. Don't worry, it's just four movies per actor, but it might be challenging, depending on how good you are at remembering when films came out.

I tried not to get too tricky with the actors or their movies, so hopefully even a casual movie fan will have fun with this one. I think the earliest titles referenced go back to the '80s and '90s, and they should be films that most movie fans will know well. Without any further ado, let's get to it!

The upcoming Avengers: Doomsday doesn’t arrive until the tail end of the year, but the marketing campaign is already underway. Marvel Studios has been releasing teaser trailers that debut in theaters before subsequently being released online. The first teaser confirmed something that had long been rumored – the return of Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers. There’s a lot of excitement (and some skepticism) surrounding the homecoming of the OG Captain America and, all the while, I can’t help but be concerned about Sam Wilson.

Why I’m Worried About Sam Wilson Amid Steve Rogers’ Imminent Return

During the closing moments of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, an elderly Steve Rogers handed over his shield to Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and dubbed him the Sentinel of Liberty. Wilson would fully embrace that role in 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and continue to perform his duties in last year’s Captain America: Brave New World. Marvel Studios did a lot to emphasize that Sam was indeed the new Cap but, given recent events, he now seems to be in an awkward position within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

A lot is already being made of the fact that Steve is back in the picture, and I’m nervous that it means Sam might get pushed back to the sidelines a bit because of his predecessor’s re-emergence. Based on the Steve teaser, Rogers still has his costume, and it’s likely he’ll be suiting up at some point. It’s, of course, a given that Sam will be doing the same but, what happens when both heroes reach for that red, white and blue shield?

It’s rumored that Steve is going to have a big role in Doomsday, and I’m tempted to believe that, considering how he’s been propped up thus far. While I already have mixed feelings about Steve’s return, something I’m firm on is that I’d hate to see Sam be short-changed due to Rogers’ presence. What also doesn’t feel so encouraging is the fact that even Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige told Collider and more that Brave New World underperformed in great part because “It was the first [Cap movie] without Chris Evans.”

Why I’m Still Trying To Remain Optimistic About Sam’s Role In Doomsday

There are two additional points I want to be clear about, with one being that I am a big fan of Steve Rogers (even if I’m mixed on his return). My second point is that I’m trying not to be too doom-and-gloom, as there’s still certainly a good chance Sam will have a substantial role. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have a knack for handling ensembles, and that talent has shown through in some of the highest ranked Marvel movies.

Of course, a lot of the specifics on Doomsday are being kept under wraps, though it’s known that the film will see the Avengers, the New Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four fight to stop Doctor Doom. As for Sam Wilson specifically, Brave New World ended with him resolving to bring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes back together, and it’s also revealed in the Thunderbolts* post-credits scene that he’s suing the New Avengers for trademark infringement.

So, on paper, Sam is in a position to play a big role in this team-up movie, but Steve’s reappearance seemingly muddies up the narrative waters a bit. Until I see the film, I’ll be trying my best to hold onto the belief that Sam will get his moment to shine as a leader ready to lead a team into battle against a major foe. And, considering Wilson’s journey, that feels like the natural progression for his character arc.

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, stream past MCU movies and shows using a Disney+ subscription.

It was rumored. It was leaked. It debuted in front of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Now, it has finally arrived online. The first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday is here. It confirms that, despite his recent denials, Steve Rogers will return in the big Avengers blowout movie. And he has a kid.

Captain America Is A Father?

The trailer itself is pretty straightforward. It simply shows Chris Evans entering a house, looking at his old Captain America uniform, and then holding a child and smiling. It's quite pretty, honestly, a very simple, and surprisingly peaceful way to get fans hyped for Doomsday. Check it out above.

Fans have been wondering what it all means since the trailer's release was first leaked. The implication is certainly that this is Steve Rogers' own child, likely one he had with Peggy Carter, but that's not entirely certain.

It's unclear if these are even scenes from Avengers: Doomsday or separate sequences shot specifically for this teaser trailer. This could be meant to give a snapshot of the life Steve Rogers has been living post-Avengers: Endgame, without actually letting us see scenes from the movie itself. The movie is still a year away, and with all the post-production work that will certainly be necessary, there's a question how much of the film even could be shown off right now.

Rumors that arrived before the trailer indicated Steve Rogers would be one of the main protagonists of Doomsday, but that too is unknown. It's possible the role could be smaller, though it seems unlikely the marketing would launch with this if the role was going to be a small one.

Three More Doomsday Trailers Are Reportedly Planned

If nothing else, I'm glad this trailer has found its way online only a couple of days after Avatar: Fire and Ash's opening weekend. It sets a precedent that will hopefully be followed by the other trailers. There are apparently three more teasers that have been made that will each run for a week in front of the new Avatar film.

Assuming that we can expect to see them online as well, that means that those people who want to see them early can certainly buy a ticket to Avatar every week but, if you just want to be able to see them, you won't be required to shell out the cash.

The next trailer reportedly features Chris Hemsworth's Thor, who was the first name announced when the official Avengers: Doomsday cast was revealed. It feels like a safe bet that one of the trailers, likely the last one, will include our first official look at Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. Although, with a year until the movie's release, it's possible Marvel could be keeping that one in reserve for now.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to new projects hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Arguably the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will once again find The Russo Brothers behind the camera. Rumors about that project are swirling, including reports that Chris Evans' Captain America will have a major role. But I have mixed feelings about the potential return of Steve Rogers.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is very limited, so fans have been filling in the blanks online. While Evans wasn't included in the Doomsday cast announcement, a post by scooper Daniel Richtman claims that not only will Steve Rogers be back, but he might even be the protagonist of the blockbuster.

While having the OG Captain America pop up in the next Avengers movie is exciting, I'm not sure that making him the lead character is the right call. He's been missing since getting his happy ending in Endgame, although Evans did a cameo as Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine. I would have enjoyed seeing a variant of Steve pop up, but I think making him the lead of Doomsday is a misstep.

This rumor arrived along with reports that we could be getting the first Avengers: Doomsday trailer shortly. Whether or not Evans returns as Steve Rogers the reported teaser remains to be seen, but I have to assume that some fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order might also have conflicting feels about this reported return.

We last saw Evans as Steve Rogers at the ending of Avengers: Endgame. After the Time Heist, he used the time travel machine to return the Infinity Stones (and Mjolnir) to their place on the Sacred Timeline. After briefly popping up as an old man, we learn that he and Peggy finally got their happy ending in the past, with the pair getting their long-awaited dane.

Because of this happy ending, I think it's a pretty huge risk to bring the OG Cap back into the fold for Doomsday. I would have much preferred seeing a variant get a surprise role, especially if he ended up becoming a villain like Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

It remains to be seen if this report turns out to be true, but the cinephiles are definitely invested in whatever The Russos have up their sleeve for the next two Avengers movies. The MCU has had some peaks and valleys in the years sine Endgame hit theaters, so the pressure is on to deliver a similarly must-see event.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to monitor these rumors about the movie, and see if the studio treats us to the first footage anytime soon.

Major spoilers for Wake Up Dead Man are ahead! Read with caution, and watch the latest Knives Out mystery with a Netflix subscription.

I get it, connecting the Knives Out movies to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's movies feels random and potentially illogical. However, now that we’re three mysteries deep with Benoit Blanc thanks to the release of Wake Up Dead Man on the 2025 movie schedule, a pattern has been created that makes this connection undeniable. So, without further ado, let's talk about the fan theory involving Rian Johnson’s beloved whodunnits and how the MCU plays into their outcomes.

Why Is There A Fan Theory That Mixes Knives Out With Marvel?

Alright, this all starts with the Knives Out cast, including Chris Evans. When that movie came out in 2019, he was the only actor in the ensemble connected to the MCU, and his character, Ransom, killed Christopher Plummer’s Harlan.

Now, cut to 2022. Glass Onion was released, and it featured notable Marvel movie stars Edward Norton, who was in The Incredible Hulk before Mark Ruffalo took over as Bruce Banner, and Dave Bautista, AKA Drax from Guardians of the Galaxy. Notably, the cast also included Kathryn Hahn, who was in WandaVision and Agatha All Along, and Jessica Henwick, who appeared in The Defenders, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. However, those are shows, and this pattern only pertains to actors who starred in MCU movies.

In Glass Onion, Edward Norton’s Miles ended up killing both Bautista’s Duke Cody and Janelle Monáe’s Andi.

So, this all created the theory – which An0nym355 summarized on Reddit – that if a Marvel Cinematic Universe movie actor is in a Knives Out mystery, they will be either the killer or a victim and never an innocent survivor or bystander. An important distinction to make here is that not every victim is an MCU star. Rather, every time a MCU performer has been in one of Rian Johnson’s films, they have either done the killing or been killed. Now, with the release of Wake Up Dead Man, there’s even more merit to this connection.

How Wake Up Dead Man Perfectly Plays Into This Theory

When Josh Brolin and Jeremy Renner were cast in Wake Up Dead Man, I was immediately thinking about this theory. However, I didn’t realize at the time that Glenn Close and Thomas Haden Church were also MCU movie alums.

That’s right, along with Brolin playing the big bad Thanos and Renner portraying Hawkeye for years, Glenn Close played Nova Prime in Guardians of the Galaxy, and Thomas Haden Church was Sandman in both Spider-Man 3 and the MCU’s Spider-Man: No Way Home.

I will note that they aren't the only actors in Wake Up Dead Man with Marvel connections; however, they are the only four MCU movie stars. Kerry Washington was in 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of Silver Surfer. Also, Jeffrey Wright voices a character in the series What If…? Neither of their characters was involved in the crimes of Wake Up Dead Man. However, neither of them is an MCU movie actor, either. Washington’s Marvel movies aren’t technically in the MCU – even though Chris Evans’ Human Torch does appear in Deadpool and Wolverine. Meanwhile, Wright has only ever appeared in Marvel TV shows.

With all that being said, I thought this third Knives Out mystery would deviate from the potential pattern due to all these muddy Marvel waters. However, it did not at all; in fact, it made the theory even stronger.

In the whodunnit, the four actors with ties to MCU movies were involved in the crime. Both Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Wicks and Thomas Haden Chruch’s Samson Holt died. And the people responsible for those deaths wound up being Glenn Close’s Martha Delacroix and Jeremy Renner’s Dr. Nat Sharp.

So, in the most brilliant of ways, the well-reviewed Wake Up Dead Man played right into this fan-favorite Marvel theory while also making it more complicated and twisty. Therefore, if we ever get another Knives Out mystery, make sure you pay close attention to the cast and their connections to the MCU.

Despite so many people having problems with Materialists, Celine Song’s anti-romantic comedy about a New York matchmaker trying to find love in the Big Apple, I’ve always stood by it. So, when I remembered that one of my favorite releases from the 2025 movie schedule was streaming with an HBO Max subscription, I decided to give it another watch. No surprise here, but I loved it just as much the second time around.

One of my favorite things about revisiting a movie is that I can catch moments or lines I might have missed the first time around. In the case of Materialists, it was a single line near the end of the movie where Chris Evans’ John opens up to Lucy in a way that has me thinking a whole lot about my own life.

The Scene Where John Talks About Knowing Why He And Lucy Wouldn’t Work Just Kills Me

To be honest with you all, I forgot about the scene near the end of Materialists where John and Lucy have an intense conversation after crashing some random wedding. What starts as a fun getaway and rekindling of a flame long believed to have gone out turns into a heartbreaking revelation where the struggling actor admits that he thinks he’s not good enough for her lifestyle or her desires in life.

Despite still being madly in love with Lucy, even after all these years and the terrible way they broke up, John admitting that he doesn’t think they could work out is utterly heartbreaking. Going from talking about seeing wrinkles, grey hair, and children that look like her, whenever he pictures Lucy, to admitting money will always be a problem just killed me in every way imaginable.

However, there’s a single line following that moment that got me thinking even more…

The Line Where He Talks About Imposter Syndrome Is Especially Relatable

After pretty much telling Lucy that he’s always loved her and always will, no matter what, John says a line that’s been sticking with me ever since revisiting the movie, particularly because it’s just so damn relatable. After calling himself a beggar for his ex, the theater actor and cater waiter touches on imposter syndrome and says why she shouldn’t be with him in the most honest yet heartbreaking way:

As someone who’s battled imposter syndrome for years, the whole “because someone told him he was good at it once” line at the end of the scene resonated so much. There are times when I feel as if I have nothing to say and no talent, and that the only reason I’ve followed this path is that a teacher liked a poem I wrote about Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” back in high school.

I know these are intrusive thoughts that everyone deals with from time to time, but seeing them in a movie (with the guy who played Captain America saying them) was just something that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about.

Materialists is a project on the 2025 movie schedule that caused quite a stir. While some Materialists' reviews (like ours) were very positive, others pointed out flaws, and online, there was a debate going on about the film. However, along with the “controversy” surrounding Celine Song’s romance has come a lot of success, and there’s no question that this A24 flick is a hit. The director doesn’t really want viewers to know that, though.

Now, this movie made over $105 million globally at the box office, which is impressive, especially since its estimated budget was $20 million. Plus, according to THR, it’s one of this year’s highest-grossing original films. Now that it’s hit streaming, even more people are watching it, as its No. 1 place on HBO Max proves. However, Celine Song doesn’t really want audiences to be aware of all that buzz, as she told The Hollywood Reporter:

She explained that she doesn’t want her movie to be commodified. She doesn’t want it to be used for corporate interest, and she simply wants Materialists to exist. Song said:

Song’s point here makes sense. I think she’s saying that when a film is used to sell a product, it’s hard to genuinely care for it. However, if a project is simply just art, it’s easier for audiences to deeply care and create a genuine connection with it.

When you think about the message of Materialists, this statement goes right along with it. The movie follows Dakota Johnson’s matchmaker, Lucy, as she tries to work the math of relationships to help her clients. Meanwhile, she’s also grappling with her own love life, as she finds herself having to choose between Pedro Pascal’s rich, steady and charming Harry or her ex, Chris Evans’ struggling actor but deeply caring and kind-hearted John.

The film dives deep into the collision of the math of relationships, the desire for financial stability, and the magic of love. And Materialists’ ending asks audiences to examine how they see love, relationships and the work and acceptance that comes with them. It also slaps audiences in the face with how money plays into all of it. In fact, that point of the movie is what caused the viral “broke man propaganda” debate.

Just like how Materialists ask audiences to examine their relationship with love and the role money plays in how they handle it, Song is hoping that audiences see the movie in a nuanced way, too.

The best way for audiences to do that is to make up their own mind about this film. They shouldn’t let outside buzz or, in Song’s words, “corporate interests” influence their experience if possible (which I think is true for all art); that way, their opinion and reading of the piece can be 100% their own. By doing that, the film can just be itself too.

Now, if you are looking to see Materialists, you can stream it with an HBO Max subscription.

SPOILERS are ahead for Materialists.

With just two months left in the year, I can say confidently that Celine Song’s Materialists is still one of the best 2025 movie releases I’ve seen. It’s been months since I first watched the romance movie starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal and Chris Evans, and it’s among the few films that I’ve continued to think about, and more importantly take into my life. While I absolutely loved it, the movie has been the object of a lot of conversation since its release that I think seems to have steered some people away from it getting its proper flowers.

Now that it’s streaming on HBO Max, and certainly a lot more people will be watching it, and adding to the heated debate, I wanted to add in my thoughts, and talk about why I think the reaction to Materialists is proof we need more modern romances in the world.

My Experience Watching And Falling For Materialists

I went to go see Materialists with a couple of friends over the summer after being taken aback by writer/director Celine Song’s debut movie, Past Lives. (And, of course the Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal of it all drew me in further). It remains one of the most memorable experiences I had in movie theaters this year, not only because of Song’s gorgeous filmmaking, and the really poignant story she tells about modern love, but because of the hours of conversation it sparked among my friends after the credits rolled.

Of course, we had a blast discussing whether Dakota Johnson’s matchmaker character Lucy should have chosen to get back together with her ex, John (Chris Evans), as she does at the end, stuck it out with Harry (Pedro Pascal), a wealthy man who initially sweeps her off her feet, or remained single. But, it ultimately led us to a discussion about our own relationships, and beliefs on being in love versus the practicalities of a longterm partnership. It made me reflect on my own patterns and preconceptions about relationships and marriage, and has continued to in the months since every now and again. As someone who loves romance movies and TV shows, I think it’s important to point out how rare of an experience I found this to be.

Explaining The Controversy Of Materialists

Which brings me to the viral “controversy” around Materialists – which I put in quotes, because the controversial part has more to do with audiences in my opinion than the content itself. Anyways, when I went to see this movie, I had heard about it sparking a lot of conversation about how the romances are handled. Obviously, once I saw it, I could totally understand why. There’s a lot to unpack about Lucy’s journey with John and Harry, and what the movie is perhaps trying to tell us about what’s important when settling down with a partner.

The loudest conversation that ended up ruling the internet’s discussion about it was viewers deeming it “broke boy propaganda” because John is a struggling actor and waiter who Lucy decides to stick with, rather than pursuing a wealthy, more “eligible” bachelor like Harry. When Refinery29 spoke to Song about this dialogue about her movie, she said she found it “disappointing” before saying this:

Alongside Song’s comments on her disapproval of the way the internet has been talking about John, she also spoke to the larger reason it bothers her. In her words:

I think Song makes an interesting point here, because it speaks to our current overarching value systems when it comes to relationships. Isn’t it interesting how the movie was pulled down a tier because it was decided that the message was that it was promoting women being with a man who’s characterized as being “broke,” rather than celebrating the main characters for choosing love over materialism?

I'm Shocked At How Many People Missed The Point Of The Movie

That last question is particularly interesting to me (as someone who did like the ending) because it’s literally just a movie! I find it really interesting that a horde of people criticized Lucy for choosing the man with the least impressive bank account, despite clearly having a long held connection and real spark with him, even in the world of make believe movies, where there’s no actual stakes to her making the decision. One of our prior pieces from another writer also wrote about how she doesn’t believe the ending that Lucy and John will stay together. It felt like everyone decided to be her judgey mom who's like, "But, how much does he make, Lucy? Are you sure it's going to last, Lucy?"

I think the argument that has fueled conversations about Materialists misses the point, because they are treating Lucy like she’s a real person who needs to make this sensible decision, when we should be talking about the movie as a piece of entertainment and commentary on love. It’s a lot more interesting from a story point of view that Lucy chooses John because it’s not the sensible option; it's the human option. They’ve already broken up before. He still lives with roommates, and sure, she could find another Harry-type with a sizable bank account. Love is messy. Love is not logical, and that’s why it’s kind of beautiful. How many of us know someone who's in a relationship that doesn’t fully “make sense,” but absolutely works anyway? I keep going back to one quote in the film when John asks Lucy why people get married. As she replies:

The movie is telling us that love is a leap of faith, and it’s hopeful. You can have a list of have-tos all you want, but ultimately, settling down is choosing someone you think things will work with who you want to grow old alongside. If Lucy had picked Harry, whom she didn’t really love, she would have had security, sure, but that’s not what she was searching for the most.

I Think The Romance Genre Being Largely Dead For Over A Decade Has A Lot To Do With It

To wrap my thoughts up here, I think the reaction to Materialists shows a scary lack of romanticism in the current landscape when it comes to movies like this. A section of the internet wrote off this movie because they decided it was telling women to “settle” for men without deep pockets, when I think it's actually commenting on the human experience of deciding how to navigate partnership in the modern dating pool. It's reminded me that there simply aren't enough mainstream movies being made about people in relationships, now in 2025, and reminded me that there are a lot of interesting conversations to be had about this particular time for people looking for a partner.

I hope to see more filmmakers tell the kind of thought-provoking storylines about relationships that Materialists does, because at the end of the day, I think defining who we love, and why we love is one of the most important and vital conversations we can have. At a time where the romance genre rarely has viral moments like this, I think we might be a little out of practice.

The first full week of November brings a wide variety of movies and series to streaming. If you’re still in the mood for something spooky post-Halloween, Netflix has you covered. Disney+, however, is looking forward to a documentary look at what is sure to be one of the biggest movies of the year. And that’s just the beginning. Here’s a look at new movies streaming this week and new series worth checking out this week on streaming.

Frankenstein - November 7 (Netflix)

Following a brief theatrical run, one of the most anticipated movies of the year becomes available with your Netflix subscription. Sci-fi and fantasy maestro Guillermo del Toro puts his own touch on what’s called the original science fiction story, Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein. Oscar Issac plays the doctor and Jacob Elordi the monster in this tale of a man who attempts to control life and pays the price.

Fire And Water: Making The Avatar Films - November 7 (Disney+)

After waiting a decade for the second film in the Avatar franchise, the third movie will be here practically overnight by comparison. There are certainly a lot of people excited for Avatar: Fire and Ash, and those fans who can’t wait for the film’s December release will get a sneak peek via a behind-the-scenes documentary available this week with your Disney+ subscription.

Materialists HBO - November 7 (HBO Max)

The sexiest love triangle in a long time hit screens earlier this year with Celine Song’s Materialists. Dakota Johnson is torn between the rich and suave Pedro Pascal and the poor and suave Chris Evans. Everybody involved got solid reviews, but since the movie wasn’t a runaway hit at the box office, you likely haven’t seen it. So get your HBO Max subscription ready to check it out.

Pluribus - November 7 (Apple TV+)

Sometimes it may feel like you’re the only unhappy person in the world. In the new series Pluribus, available with your Apple TV+ subscription, from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan, Rhea Seehorn plays Carol, an author who is literally the only unhappy person in the world, which makes it clear there is something wrong with the rest of the world. Carol has to figure out what it is.

Maxton Hall — The World Between Us Season 2 -November 7 (Prime Video)

Making a hit TV show is hard enough, but making one that resonates with fans around the world is more difficult still. Maxton Hall: The World Between Us was a massive hit even among fans who don’t speak German. The series returns with its second season if you’ve got a Prime Video subscription, and fans need not worry as Season 3 is already on the way.

2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - November 8 (Disney+)

Disney+ is a great place to go for music fans with numerous documentaries and live concert performances to watch, from both classic and contemporary artists. For the second year in a row, Disney+ will also be the home for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This year's inductees include such diverse talents as Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, and Soundgarden, and will almost certainly make for a fantastic show.

November has great material still on the way. Most notably, the final season of Stranger Things finally arrives later this month, but there’s so much more coming in November.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, one that's constantly putting out new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to be a massive multiversal story. Some epic fan art sees Chris Evans back as Steve Rogers, and leading his fellow Captain Americas Peggy Carter and Sam Wilson. Not going to lie, now I want to see this crossover happen.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, so fans are filling in the blanks with rumors, theories, and viral fan art. Case in point: the following image from Instagram, which sees the MCU's three Captains sharing the screen together. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? While Steve Rogers is the OG Cap, a few other character have taken on the mantle, both in the Sacred Timeline and the multiverse. The idea of seeing the three shielded heroes fighting alongside each other is thrilling, although whether or not it's actually going to happen is anyone's guess.

The Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement confirmed a ton of characters including Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson. The same can't be said for the other two in this image, although there were reports that Chris Evans might be back. For his part, Evans claimed he wasn't going to appear... but some fans don't necessarily believe him. After all, Marvel stars are expected to lie to protect fans from spoilers.

As for Hayley Atwell, fans who have watched the Marvel movies in order will recall her penchant for showing up in surprise cameos throughout the years. That includes her brief but memorable appearance as Captain Carter in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Since Atwell took umbrage with being killed off in that blockbuster, perhaps she'd like another chance to play a Super Soldier in Avengers: Doomsday.

Of course, this is all just fan theories for now. Marvel has been keeping its cards close to the chest regarding Doomsday, which seemingly wrapped principal photography recently. Hopefully this means we'll get more information sooner rather than later, as fans are definitely curious about what The Russo Brothers have up their sleeves for the blockbuster.

Entire teams of superheroes are expected to collide in the Doomsday movie, and it should be interesting to see how exactly they interact. That includes The Avengers (presumably led by Sam Wilson), The Thunderbolts aka New Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and the X-Men. There are countless questions about how this will go down, and how the MCU as a whole might be influenced.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. If/how Evans appears remains to be seen, but fans would definitely love to see the OG Cap return.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe regularly offers new content to fans, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which looks like a massive crossover event. There are rumors Chris Evans might have a role, possibly as a variant of Steve Rogers. And now fans can see what he might look like as Captain HYDRA.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, which is why so many rumors and fan theories are currently circulating online. Chris Evans wasn't included in the Doomsday cast announcement, but moviegoers still think he's showing up one way or another. Fan art on Instagram imagined what he might look like as Captain HYDRA, and it's pretty epic. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? Evans is best known for being one of the MCU's heroes, so it would be awesome to see him try out his villainous side. Since Robert Downey Jr. is going to be playing Doctor Doom, why not let more OGs return as villainous variants? I know I'd be seated.

While Chris Evans denied having a role, fans aren't convinced. After all, actors in the MCU are expected to fib to guard the franchise's secrets. Case in point: Andrew Garfield lying for years about his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Chatter about the Materialists actor returning to the MCU has gotten louder recently, thanks to Chris Evans looking swole again. Some moviegoers took this as a sign he was getting back into superhero shape for Doomsday and/or Secret Wars. After all, this is a regular part of the job for comic book movie stars.

While Steve Rogers got his happy ending in Avengers: Endgame, that doesn't mean that the 44 year-old actor was done in the MCU. Evans has a NSFW cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, reprising his role as Johnny Storm/ The Human Torch from the OG Fantastic Four movies. Since he's already played one variant, why not add a villainous one like Captain HYDRA?

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that just about anything is possible nowadays. The Multiverse Saga has opened the door for new storytelling possibilities, and variants have allowed actors to play new roles. So Chris Evans could return without having to ruin the happy ending that Steve Rogers deserved. Although there's another rumor that Loki might have a scene with Peggy and Steve, directly connecting Doomsday with the Marvel couple's long-awaited dance. Of course, we should take all of these rumors with a grain of salt for the time being.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get some concrete information about what The Russo Brothers are planning sooner rather than later.

A lot of eyes are on next year’s upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: Doomsday. While the MCU has continued on at a steady pace, Disney is certainly expecting the next Avengers film to bring the franchise back to the heights it hit with the last two Avengers movies, and now fans are wondering if the movie might be bringing in a secret weapon, Captain America.

A post recently went viral on social media, which compares Chris Evans look as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Endgame, the last time the character appeared in the MCU, with a look at Evans when he recently appeared at the Toronto International Film Festival. There’s little argument that he’s currently in great shape.

Chris Evans looking like Captain America wouldn’t necessarily be that big a surprise, except that the actor’s newest movie, the recently released Honey Don’t, had Evans slim down and drop most of his muscle. This means that he has specifically made a point to get back into shape. Not surprisingly, fans are predicting that this means we’ll see him return in Avengers: Doomsday. Comments include:

• OMG the captain is coming back! - @ICEMANOUTLINE
• WELCOME BACK STEVE ROGERS - @liriocosmos
• “For what other reason could he be having this physique??” Idk, HEALTH?! He is totally playing Steve Rogers again, tho - @tyanfranco
• Steve Rogers is BACK without question!! I love this for us - @alamanecer

It is, of course, something of a leap of faith to assume that Evans getting back into physical shape means he is going to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. As one of the comments above even points out, this could have happened for any reason, including another film role that requires him to be in shape.

That said, it’s certainly not impossible that Evans could be playing Steve Rogers again. Avengers: Doomsday is currently in production, and while Evans has repeatedly said he won’t be in the new Marvel movie, this would hardly be the first time an actor claimed one thing when the opposite was true. There have continued to be rumors that Evans is returning despite his denials.

Considering that Robert Downey Jr. is returning to the MCU playing Doctor Doom rather than Iron Man, there are those who think Evans might be playing a different role, including a variant version of Captain America who is part of Hydra. That would certainly be one way to allow Evans to return without touching the send-off that Steve Rogers was given at the end of Avengers: Endgame.

While most of the cast of Avengers: Doomsday has been revealed, it is known that not every major name has been announced. There’s certainly a possibility that Chris Evans could appear, though we’ll likely need to wait until the actual movie comes out next year to know for sure.

Chris Evans has built up quite the resume as an actor, and continues to be one of Hollywood’s best leading men. However, his legacy will always be tied to his most iconic role as Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America. OG Marvel fans will remember this wasn’t his first gig as a Marvel Superhero, as he previously starred in the Fantastic Four movies. Now, one of Evans' co-stars on that film is recalling their reaction to learning he'd been tapped to play the Sentinel of Liberty by Marvel Studios.

Before there was Pedro Pascal as Mr. Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, there was Ioan Gruffudd and Chris Evans, respectively, playing the roles in the Fantastic Four films of the 2000s. While the 2025 summer blockbuster First Steps was the official MCU debut for the family of superheroes, Gruffudd and Evan’s portrayals -- as well as those of co-stars Jessica Alba and Michael Chiklis -- were the first live action introductions of the characters on the big screen (aside from the shelved 1994 film). While some fans were shocked that Evans was cast as Cap back in 2010, Gruffud told Vulture that he never doubted the casting:

There’s no denying Chris Evans fit the role of Captain America, with his now-gone biceps and all-American bravado. In fact, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has tried to pass the Captain America torch a few times since Steve Rogers exit in Avengers: Endgame, introducing multiple candidates such as Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker. While Sam is now forging his own path, there's just something about Evans' portrayal of Steve.

Needless to say, while some fans were "jarred" over the casting decision, I agree with Ioan Gruffud that the choice made sense. It's for that reason that I, too, miss seeing Evans' Rogers in the MCU. Of course, no one is ever truly gone from the MCU until you see a dead body on screen. Plus, given the MCU's Multiverse Saga is still playing out, there's a chance he could return.

In fact, even iterations of pre-MCU Marvel characters aren’t out of the fold. On that note, Chris Evans reprised his role as Johnny Storm for the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine. In the same Vulture interview, Gruffudd responded to Evans' reprisal and shared some positive thoughts. And, given how great it is, it's hard to blame the Welsh actor for holding that view.

Considering these multiversal developments, I have to wonder if we could possibly see the return of former versions of the Fantastic Four, even the characters from Josh Trank's 2015 movie. While I think another version of Evans' Johnny Storm is out of the question after his brutal evisceration by Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine, perhaps Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards could step through the multiverse in a similar way to Garfield and Maguire’s Spider-Men?

Even if he doesn't return as the beloved super-stretchy scientist fans know and love, the Titanic actor has shown interest in joining the MCU, perhaps this time as a villain. Should that happen, I'd also be curious to hear what Evans thinks about his colleague taking on a fresh Marvel role.

We will just have to wait and see all the surprises in store, and with all the upcoming Marvel projects set to release over the next few years, anything is possible. Until then, you can brush up on your MCU lore and check out Chris Evans and Ioan Gruffudd's two Fantastic Four movies using a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe regularly puts out new content, either in theaters or streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will feature a huge cast of characters. There are a ton of rumors swirling around the blockbuster, and one new one about Loki would pair him with some surprising characters. And I honestly hope that it happens.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is very limited, but production has been underway for some time. All sort of rumors and fan theories are online, and the latest revolves around Tom Hiddleston's Loki. Scooper Daniel Richtman claimed that he had one particularly intriguing scene, saying:

Ok, my mind is blown. This is just a rumor, but sounds like a sure way to get longtime fans invested in Doomsday. Those of us who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order waited years for Steve and Peggy to finally get their happy ending at the end of Avengers: Endgame. So returning to their dance... with Loki? That sounds wild.

Obviously we should take this rumor with a grain of salt for the time being. While Hiddleston was confirmed in Doomsday's cast announcement, Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell didn't get chairs. Although they've both already done surprise cameos before, so it doesn't seem totally out of the question.

At the end of Endgame, Steve Rogers took all the Infinity Stones (and Mjolnir) back to their rightful place in the timeline. He reappeared as Old Man Steve, revealing he went back in time and lived his happy ending with Peggy. The movie's final moments saw these two finally get their dance, and it would be a shock to see Loki suddenly appear and interrupt the moment.

Of course, this rumored scene would also stand in juxtaposition to Loki's Season 2 finale. When we last saw the God of Mischief, he was literally holding the timelines together by force. He became the God of Stories, and seemingly could never leave his throne without creating multiversal chaos. So how will he leave this post to get into the adventures of Avengers: Doomsday?

There are a ton of questions about what's going to go down in The Russo Brothers' return to the MCU. But we're in good hands, which should help quell fears as we wait for the movie to arrive next December. Although with so many rumors and theories online, I'm hoping that we get some concrete information sooner rather than later.

Avengers: Doomsday will answer our question when it hits theaters December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. Only time will tell if Steve and Peggy's happy ending actually gets interrupted by Loki.

The conversation surrounding the LGBTQ+ moment in Lightyear — Chris Evans’ 2022 Pixar movie — has resurfaced after Snoop Dogg went viral for comments about being “scared” to take his grandchildren to the theater. This was a pretty hot topic back when the movie was released, and as the rapper’s comments circulate, so too does the response Evans had for critics of the queer storyline three years ago.

What Snoop Dogg Said About Lightyear’s LGBTQ+ Storyline

In Buzz Lightyear’s origin story (which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription), there is a lesbian couple who share a child. This apparently caused Snoop Dogg’s grandchildren to ask questions that he wasn’t prepared for when he took them to the movie theater. He said on the It’s Giving podcast that “they’re putting it everywhere,” in reference to queer representation, retelling the mid-movie conversation he and his grandson had:

Snoop Dogg — who will serve as a coach on The Voice when it premieres on the 2025 TV schedule September 22 — admitted he was caught off-guard and deflected by turning his grandson’s attention back to the movie. On the podcast he continued:

The rapper’s comments about the movie have caused some backlash, and many fans remembered how Chris Evans originally responded to such sentiments back in 2022.

Fans Recall Chris Evans Saying ‘Those People Are Idiots’

Chris Evans had some pretty strong opinions about the discourse surrounding Lightyear’s lesbian storyline and admitted that it was hard not to get frustrated that the same-sex kiss was even a controversial topic. So it’s no surprise that the Captain America actor’s own viral comments are circulating again in light of Snoop Dogg’s podcast appearance.

Back in 2022, Chris Evans addressed Alisha Hawthorne’s (Uzo Aduba) story in Lightyear in a Reuters interview, and of the people offended by it, he said:

How's that for a mic drop?

Lightyear was not the box office success that Pixar hoped it would be, and Disney apparently lost a lot of money due to its flop. However, the conversation surrounding LGBTQ+ representation, particularly in upcoming Pixar movies and other kids’ flicks, lives on.

Long before Chris Evans was “America’s ass," the actor was known more for his comedic snark than his body, and he’s embraced this in more recent roles like Red One and his newest 2025 movie release Honey Don’t! In the flick, the actor plays the Reverend Drew Devlin, a man of the cloth who is anything but pious, and who is seen sans clothing on several occasions. After pics of Evans' new physique dropped, Marvel fans are losing their minds a bit.

That’s because Chris Evans is decidedly not Marvel fit these days. Unlike some other MCU heroes, including Chris Hemsworth, he’s slimmed down quite a bit and dropped the Captain America biceps the internet still loves to talk about. He’s still muscular, he just doesn’t look as svelte as one would expect from a former MCU hero, and he’s added on a little more body fat.

I personally still think he looks great for a 44-year-old man, but the Internet cannot stop talking about Chris Evans, his tighty whities or the loss of “Bufftain America” after shots from the movie circulated on X (Twitter). (Note: edited for punctuation.)

• ”We want Bufftain America physique back.”
• “He looks completely different.”
• "Where did his muscles go?"
• "Those Captain America muscles are gone."

Well kids, if you want to go back to Chris Evans arm appreciate tweets, it looks like you’re going to need to do a little scrolling back to 2021.

You’d be forgiven if you hadn’t noticed Evans’ new physique before today. The actor was in The Materialists earlier this year, but as he served as a cater waiter, we didn’t see him a ton in much else but work suits and loose-fitting t-shirts.

We do know he worked hard to bulk up for Captain America back in the day. (Though his trainer once confirmed Evans was a big fan of skipping leg day before becoming the butt of Avengers butt jokes.) However, back in 2022, the actor admitted he’d lost “15 lbs of muscle” after putting on a bunch of bulk to play Steve Rogers in the mid-aughts. That was the same year he still looked pretty big on the Lightyear red carpet, however, so I don’t think the muscle loss was that noticeable at that point.

Still, that was three years ago, so there’s every reason to think he’s dropped even more muscle since then. And more power to him. Unlike some of the Avengers who had to get back to work in the gym to film Doomsday this summer, Chris Evans should have no more Marvel movies coming up. This could be the new normal for the actor, and if he keeps taking on quirky roles, he may not need to be nearly as jacked.

Ethan Coen is well-known for the work he’s done with his brother Joel, including The Big Lebowski and No Country for Old Men, but last year he set out on his own to direct Drive-Away Dolls. Ethan is now back with a follow-up, which hit the 2025 movie calendar on August 22. Margaret Qualley also returns, starring in the dark comedy Honey Don’t! — the second of a lesbian B-movie trilogy from Coen. Critics screened the film ahead of its release, and they seem a bit conflicted on Ethan’s solo work.

Alongside Margaret Qualley in this second (but unrelated) movie from Ethan Coen and his wife Tricia Cooke are Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans, who play a police officer and cult leader, respectively. David Fear of Rolling Stone says Qualley’s performance as private investigator Honey O’Donahue was worthy of that Cannes standing ovation, as she is easily the best part, writing:

Jesse Hassenger of Paste rates the movie a 7.0 out of 10, saying that while Honey Don’t! doesn’t quite come together as a mystery, it feels very much like a page out of the Coen Brothers’ playbook. Margaret Qualley’s confidence as Honey makes this a viable option for a fun theater experience. The critic continues:

Fred Topel of UPI agrees audiences are in for some “light, sexy fun,” though he says some aspects feel like a retread, and nothing about it surpasses anything Ethan Coen’s done with his brother. Topel says:

Lindsey Bahr of the AP gives Honey Don’t! 3 out of 4 stars and says that while it’s ultimately (and probably intentionally) insignificant, it’s still “fun and immensely watchable.” That’s thanks to Margaret Qualley, Bahr writes, as the actress meshes Philip Marlowe with Veronica Mars, adding red lipstick, high heels and silks. More from the critic:

Todd Gilchrist of ScreenRant has a similar middling opinion to many critics, rating the film 6 out of 10, as he acknowledges Ethan Coen going solo to blaze his own trail. However, he says the body count and an overbaked plot ultimately weigh down what should be a fizzy mystery. Gilchrist continues:

Critics seem to appreciate what Margaret Qualley brings to the role of the P.I., but many critics are struggling to see Ethan Coen’s unique vision as a director. Overall, the movie has accumulated 49% on the Tomatometer, but if you’re looking for some dark Coen fun, Honey Don’t! is in theaters now.

Spoilers for the end of Materialists are ahead.

Of the projects on the 2025 movie schedule, few have sparked the debate that Celine Song’s latest romantic drama, Materialists, has. The film follows Dakota Johnson’s Lucy, a matchmaker who embarks on her own relationship journey with the “perfect on paper” Harry, who is played by Pedro Pascal. This relationship becomes complicated as she also decides to foster a friendship with her ex-boyfriend John, who is a struggling actor played by Chris Evans. Lucy ends up choosing John over Harry, which fans were vocally annoyed about due to his financial struggles. However, the filmmaker has a different opinion on the ending of Materialists, and it was incredibly thoughtful.

Celine Song was asked to comment on some of the criticisms of Materialists, including some snarky ones on Letterboxd, during an interview with Refinery29. Many people have been calling the film “broke man propaganda” for essentially promoting a relationship with someone of a lower socio-economic class at a time when the economy is arguably struggling, as this might not be financially wise.

While these reviews have been infused with humor, Song expressed that she doesn’t find this commentary very funny at all, because it misrepresents feminist ideas. She explained:

Essentially, Song believes that limiting the character of John to just his socioeconomic status strips him of his person. He is a fully fleshed out character, with a lot of love for and a connection to Lucy, which Harry lacks despite being more wealthy and established.

Song intended for the film to be told from a feminist perspective, which emphasises the value of the person, and she has historically fought against systems of oppression, including classism. She continued to comment on this idea, saying that to reduce the John character to being a “broke man” diminishes him. She said:

There is a lot of truth to what Song is saying, especially if you consider why John is poor in the film. He is hardworking, but also has chosen a career in the arts, which has become less and less of a lucrative field in modern society, which places less value on the arts and cultural contribution. The point of the film is that Lucy decides to marry John at City Hall because of who John is as a person, and her emotional connection to him, rather than what he is able to provide for her. This doesn’t promote “being broke” but rather partnerships based on love rather than opportunity.

I think it's admirable and truly thoughtful for Song to defend her film in such a way, putting it more in a cultural context. However, the alternative argument towards the message in Materialists is still quite compelling. While we can reduce it to snarky Letterboxd reviews meant to be humorous, there is some truth to recognizing John’s faults. He isn’t just “poor,” he also lacks a certain maturity that lands him in certain situations.

Audiences have pointed out that deciding to take a car to dinner when he can’t afford to park it is a result of poor planning. And maybe his flaw isn’t that he’s a cater-waiter with roommates, it’s that he’s a cater-waiter with roommates that make his living situation unlivable, and he hasn’t sought an alternative option in years.

It’s hard for some not to put Harry on a pedestal when John isn’t living up to the occasion, in many ways. From this perspective, it makes sense why some critics called Materialists cynical.

However, I also completely see the point the director was making.

Whatever side of the debate you land on, the fact that Celine Song has made a movie that has kept people talking is an achievement in its own right, showing it’s more than just a typical rom-com. You can decide how you feel about Lucy’s two dashing romantic prospects now, as Materialists is currently available to rent or purchase on Amazon.

Following The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ successful opening weekend, some of you who checked out the latest MCU movie might’ve decided to break out your Disney+ subscription to stream one or both of the Fantastic Four movies from the 2000s. Back in those days, it was Ioan Gruffud, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis and Chris Evans bringing Marvel’s First Family to life, and Evans actually reprised Johnny Storm/The Human Torch last year for Deadpool & Wolverine. Gruffud, who played Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, shared how he reacted when he saw his old co-star flame on again.

This topic came up while Gruffud was reflecting on his time working on 2005’s Fantastic Four and 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer with Vulture, naturally timed with First Steps’ release on the 2025 movies schedule. When asked if he got “joy and satisfaction” out of seeing Chris Evans play Johnny Storm again, the actor said this:

Deadpool & Wolverine came out five years after Chris Evans made his last appearance as Steve Rogers/Captain America in Avengers: Endgame. Though Evans has insisted that he’s not playing Steve again despite rumors claiming the contrary for next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, he was persuaded to revisit Johnny Storm nearly two decades after his last appearance as the character. Sadly, his time with the character was short-lived, as his skin was ripped off by Cassandra Nova after Wade Wilson threw him under the bus for his foul-mouthed tirade against the bald baddie.

But hey, at least Evans got to make a brief, expletive-filled return to the MCU and entertained so many people with it, including Ioan Gruffud. While the 2000s-era Fantastic Four movies weren’t exactly critical darlings, Gruffud nonetheless had a good time working with Evans on them, and feels that his depiction of Human Torch is just as important to the superhero movie landscape as his tenure as Captain America. Gruffud’s thoughts come shortly after Michael Chiklis, who played Ben Grimm/The Thing, shared a sweet message to the outpouring of love from Fantastic Four fans in the lead-up to First Steps arriving in theaters.

Although none of the 2000s Fantastic Four lineup, nor their counterparts from the 2015 reboot, will be present in Avengers: Doomsday, the latest incarnation of the team will appear in the upcoming Marvel movie. There will also still be some Fox superhero movie era love since Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Rebecca Romijn, Alan Cumming, Kelsey Grammer and James Marsden are reprising their respective roles from the X-Men film series, as well as Channing Tatum returning as Gambit following his surprise appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced an entire generation of superhero movie fans to some of the comic book publishing giant’s most iconic characters, such as Iron Man and Thor. However, many of the heroes and villains we know from those Marvel movies in order have found their way to the big or small screen. Let’s honor some of the actors who brought them to life before they were inducted into the MCU.

Tobey Maguire (Spider-Man)

Some Marvel Comics fans have criticized the casting of Tobey Maguire in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, considering he was far older than when Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive arachnid at the time. While Tom Holland certainly fit the bill of a teenage vigilante better years later, Maguire is still remembered today as one of the best to play the role. Not to mention, he wore, arguably, the best cinematic Spidey outfit of all time.

Jessica Alba (Invisible Woman)

Following her Golden Globe-nominated breakthrough role on Dark Angel, Jessica Alba could be seen just about everywhere in the early 2000s. Ironically, she made her comic book movie debut in Tim Story's Fantastic Four as a superhero known for being unseen: Sue "Invisible Woman" Storm, who would be inducted into the MCU with Vanessa Kirby's portrayal.

Ben Affleck (Daredevil)

Ben Affleck would make an amusing, if not polarizing, impression when he joined a long line of live-action Batman actors for Zack Snyder's short-lived DC Extended Universe. More than a decade earlier, the Oscar winner cut his teeth in the world of superhero acting by playing the title role of 2003's Daredevil before Charlie Cox took over the role for the MCU in his own hit series.

Djimon Hounsou (Black Panther)

Djimon Hounsou has a small role in 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy as Korath the Pursuer, but had voiced the Black Panther in a BET original animated series four years earlier. The Academy Award nominee would later share the screen as Korath with the MCU's T'Challa, Chadwick Boseman, for an episode of the animated anthology series, What If...?

Wesley Snipes (Blade)

Marvel's popular vampire hunter character would, technically, make his MCU debut when Mahershala Ali made a vocal cameo as Blade in the post-credit sequence of 2021's Eternals. However, the first actor to play the Daywalker in his own trilogy of Blade movies, Wesley Snipes, beat him to the punch by making a full, live MCU appearance in Deadpool & Wolverine.

Dolph Lundgren (The Punisher)

It is hard to imagine Rocky IV star Dolph Lundgren with jet black hair, but he donned it to play Frank Castle in a straight-to-video feature adaptation of The Punisher in 1989. The role of the vengeful vigilante would be passed down a couple more times before Jon Bernthal took over as the MCU's official iteration, but the Swedish actor would later return to comic book movie acting as King Nereus in the Jason Momoa-led Aquaman movies.

David Hasselhoff (Nick Fury)

Samuel L. Jackson's performance as Nick Fury has become so definitive that Marvel would use his likeness in the Ultimate universe comics. However, the eye-patched secret agent's main iteration better resembles David Hasselhoff, who would, indeed, play him in 1998's Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., a made-for-TV movie that was intended to be a pilot for an original series on Fox.

Jennifer Garner (Elektra Natchios)

Jennifer Garner played a lighter interpretation of Matt Murdock's assassin lover, Elektra Natchios, in 2003's Daredevil and in her own spin-off film from two years later. While the Alias star would also reprise the role in Deadpool & Wolverine, the official MCU iteration, introduced in Season 2 of the Daredevil series, is played by Élodie Yung.

Chris Evans (Human Torch)

Chris Evans is one of the few MCU actors who can say he previously played a superhero from a different corner of the Marvel Multiverse. Years before he was cast as Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, he starred in the 2000s Fantastic Four movies as the Human Torch, which he referenced to hilarious effect in Deadpool & Wolverine. The MCU later introduced its own official iteration of Johnny Storm, played by Joseph Quinn.

Lou Ferrigno (Hulk)

Before Bruce Banner's mean, green alter ego became the product of putting Mark Ruffalo in a performance capture suit, he was brought to life in live-action on the hit TV show, The Incredible Hulk, by Lou Ferrigno, standing in for David Banner actor Bill Bixby whenever he would get angry. The legendary bodybuilder also lent his voice to the role in the Incredible Hulk animated series and made a cameo as a security guard in both 2003's Hulk and the Edward Norton-led MCU debut.

J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson)

One of the few actors known for playing the same Marvel character both in and outside of the MCU is J.K. Simmons. The Academy Award winner stole the show as the editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies before reimagining the role as a conspiracy theorist and podcast host in the Tom Holland-led films.

Doug Jones (Silver Surfer)

The MCU would introduce a unique version of the Silver Surfer played by Emmy winner Julia Garner in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Doug Jones, a master of roles requiring performance capture and heavy makeup transformations, shares credit for portraying the first "live-action" iteration of the metallic-skinned alien from 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer with Laurence Fishburne, who provided the voice.

Robert Hays (Iron Man)

It is hard to imagine anyone else in the role of Tony Stark other than Academy Award winner Robert Downey Jr., but Iron Man was the star of his own animated series years earlier in the mid-1990s. Voicing the wealthy vigilante was Robert Hays, who is best known for starring in the classic spoof movie, Airplane!, as Ted Striker.

Neil Patrick Harris (Spider-Man)

In 2003, MTV aired a TV show very loosely connected to Sam Raimi's Marvel movies called Spider-Man: The New Animated Series. Instead of Tobey Maguire, the actor providing the voice of Peter Parker was none other than future How I Met Your Mother cast member Neil Patrick Harris, who later contributed to the 2010 video game, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions.

Eric Allan Kramer (Thor)

Years before Chris Hemsworth's definitive performance as Thor in the MCU made him a household name, Eric Allan Kramer of Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Good Luck Charlie fame became the first actor the play the role in live-action in the 1988 TV movie, The Incredible Hulk Returns. However, I feel obligated to mention that Vincent D'Onofrio's role in Adventures in Babysitting as Dawson, who bears a striking resemblance to the God of Thunder, predates Kramer's portrayal by a year.

Rosemary Harris (Aunt May)

With all due respect and admiration for Marisa Tomei, the Oscar winner is certainly not the first person you would picture to play Peter Parker's Aunt May, as she does in the MCU. However, Rosemary Harris is not only the spitting image of the comic book character, but also gives a moving, iconic performance as May opposite Tobey Maguire's Peter in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy.

Matt Salinger (Captain America)

One of the most notable screen iterations of Steve Rogers that pre-dates Chris Evans' portrayal comes from 1990's infamous straight-to-video feature, Captain America. Playing the title role is Matt Salinger, who, believe it or not, is the son of The Catcher in the Rye author J.D. Salinger, as the actor discussed with The Guardian.

James Avery (War Machine)

Most people know actor James Avery best from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast as Philip Banks. Around that same time, however, the actor lent his voice to the animated Iron Man series as James "Rhodey" Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, years before Tony Stark's buddy was portrayed in the MCU by Don Cheadle... and Terrence Howard, of course.

Nicholas Hammond (Spider-Man)

Before the role was brought to life by Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland, the first actor to play Peter Parker in live-action was Nicholas Hammond. The Sound of Music star led CBS' Spider-Man series and its two made-for-TV companion films in the late 1970s.

Jennifer Connelly (Betty Ross)

Liv Tyler appeared in 2008's The Incredible Hulk as Betty Ross, the colleague and love interest of Edward Norton's Bruce Banner. Years earlier, in 2003's Hulk, she was played by Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly, who was also subtly inducted into the MCU as the voice of Karen, the AI built into Peter Parker's high-tech suit in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Thomas Jane (The Punisher)

Three actors were brought in to play Frank Castle before Jon Bernthal was cast in the role for the MCU. The second, after Dolph Lundgren and before Ray Stevenson, and first to bring the vigilante into the 21st Century, was Thomas Jane in 2004's The Punisher, which sees the anti-hero take on a corrupt businessman responsible for his family's tragic deaths.

Cree Summer (She-Hulk)

Cree Summer is the prolific voice actor behind many well-known animated roles, such as Susie Carmichael from Nickelodeon's Rugrats. She was also the second person to voice Bruce Banner's cousin, Jennifer Walters, on the animated Incredible Hulk TV show almost a couple of decades before Tatiana Maslany was cast in the lead role of Disney+'s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

Michael Chiklis (The Thing)

Jamie Bell and Emmy winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach (who also appeared on Jon Bernthal's The Punisher series) both played CGI versions of Ben "The Thing" Grimm in their respective cinematic adaptations of the Fantastic Four comics. However, Michael Chiklis admirably went the old-fashioned route and donned a heavy amount of prosthetics to play the orange, rock-skinned superhero in Tim Story's movies from 2004 and 2007.

Sam Elliott (Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross)

Following William Hurt's passing, Harrison Ford stepped in to play Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross for the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World, in which the military general-turned-U.S. president becomes the Red Hulk. However, you could argue that the most intimidating portrayal of the character is still that of Sam Elliott in 2003's Hulk.

Peter Hooten (Dr. Strange)

With the title's otherworldly, psychedelic imagery, it is not very surprising to learn that Marvel's Doctor Strange comics were first adapted for live-action in the 1970s. CBS attempted to launch a series focused on the Sorcerer Supreme with a pilot led by actor Peter Hooten, who was, of course, succeeded decades later by Benedict Cumberbatch as the MCU's official iteration.

Lisa Rinna (Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine)

While better known today as a star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Lisa Rinna also has the honor of being the first actor to portray Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in live-action in 1998's Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. In the MCU, the Italian-American noblewoman and CIA director is played by Seinfeld cast member Julia-Louis Dreyfus.

Conan Stevens (Man-Thing)

In 2005, SyFy aired a scary "movie of the week" inspired by the Marvel comic book character Man-Thing, played by Conan Stevens, who is essentially the publisher's equivalent to DC's Swamp Thing. The humanoid plant creature was painted in a far more sympathetic light in the Disney+ original Halloween special, Werewolf by Night, in which he was portrayed in motion capture by Carey Jones.

Ed Asner (J. Jonah Jameson)

Emmy winner Ed Asner's definitive TV role for years was cantankerous journalist Lou Grant on beloved TV sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show and the character's more earnest self-titled spin-off. In other words, he was a perfect choice to voice J. Jonah Jameson in Spider-Man: The Animated Series in the 1990s.

Eric Bana (Bruce Banner)

The first live-action, theatrically released feature film adaptation of Marvel's The Incredible Hulk comics, director Ang Lee's Hulk, cast Australian actor Eric Bana as Bruce Banner. The brilliant physicist would later return to the big screen as part of the MCU, first portrayed by Edward Norton in his 2008 solo flick before Mark Ruffalo took over the role in subsequent installments.

Ed Gale (Howard The Duck)

Howard the Duck, one of the most bizarre characters in Marvel Comics' history, exists in the MCU, having first appeared in the post-credit sequence for Guardians of the Galaxy, voiced by Seth Green. The fowl extraterrestrial crimefighter made his feature debut, however, in a self-titled film from producer George Lucas, in which Ed Gale, a little person also known for playing Chucky in Child's Play, wore a duck costume on set while Chip Zien provided the voice.

Ioan Gruffudd (Mr. Fantastic)

Before Pedro Pascal added the MCU to his ongoing list of franchises by playing Reed Richards in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, English actor Ioan Gruffudd played the stretchy superhero otherwise known as Mr. Fantastic in Tim Story's Fantastic Four movies.

Sticky Fingaz (Blade)

Mahershala Ali is actually not Wesley Snipes' direct successor to the role of Blade. Rap artist Sticky Fingaz played the vampire hunter in a short-lived TV series from 2006.

Love may be blind, but a line from the A24 release Materialists wasn’t fooling anyone, especially not the actors saying it. Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson didn't hold back when it came to one of the key moments in their new romantic drama. They pretty much called it out for being terrible and, honestly, it’s easy to see why!

Both Johnson and Evans recently spoke with Josh Horowitz of MTV while promoting their 2025 movie release. During the interview (shared via the outlet's official Instagram account), Johnson didn’t mince words about how she felt as the Captain America performer delivered that moment from the film’s script. “I hated that line,” she said flatly, to Evans’ immediate and knowing laughter. The line in question was:

That line from the critically well-received Materialists was supposed to be heartfelt—a confession of love laced with time, intimacy and the beauty of aging together. But, to the film’s leads, it sounded less like the type of swooning you’d expect from the best romantic comedies and more like a back-handed roast. Chris Evans, equally baffled by the structure of the sentence, explained:

Johnson echoed the sentiment. She hilariously quipped:

The two actors cracked up together as they remembered the line. Still, the piece of dialogue made it into the final cut. Why? According to Evans, it was a direct call from director Celine Song, who stood by the line’s emotional intent. He added:

Dakota Johnson wasn’t ready to rest her case. “Imagine this,” she said, preparing to reenact the moment. She locked eyes with Evans. “Look at me with love in your eyes,” she demanded. He braced himself. Then she delivered it again, in her perfectly deadpan signature way:

Evans broke into laughter, pretty much proving her point. On the surface, Materialists might look like a typical rom-com, but that label doesn’t quite do it justice. Awkward line aside, the film dives deeper than your average romantic comedy. That's in great part due to the efforts of Celine Song, as she managed to craft a nuanced story.

In the film, Dakota Johnson plays a professional matchmaker who’s great at helping others find love, but struggles to find it for herself. Caught between a charming, wildly wealthy suitor (Pedro Pascal) and a complicated ex (Chris Evans), she’s forced to confront what she really wants.

Writing compelling dialogue can be difficult, as even the best screenwriters have a miss here and there. Still, it's hard not to find the humor in the fact that Johnson and Evans don't take one line from their latest film too seriously. Nevertheless, check out Materialists, as it's still in theaters.

Many are excited for the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps before the long wait for the next upcoming Marvel movie, and it's likely to be a big hit at the box office. That said, the internet has been buzzing about a theory surrounding the cast of the original FF movie, and how Chris Evans, Jessica Alba, Ioan Gruffudd and Michael Chiklis could all end up appearing as their characters again for the first time in nearly 20 years.

While Evans returned as Johnny Storm for Deadpool & Wolverine, we haven't seen the first superhero family cast together since the 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Now there's a wild theory that the Marvel Cinematic Universe's creatives could be prepping to bring the whole crew back. I know, it sounds like a STRETCH, but it's still certainly worth considering.

How New Avengers May Be The Key To The Original Fantastic Four Returning

The theory, as posed by ScreenRant, connects back to the post-credit scene that follows the ending of Thunderbolts*/New Avengers. Directed by the Russo brothers, the scene shows the Fantastic Four's shuttle arriving in the Sacred Timeline. Marvel's Kevin Feige seemingly dropped a big clue to Empire (via ScreenRant) about the shuttle, and noted that he believed it could be different than the one seen in The Fantastic Four: First Steps:

Feige has stopped trolling Marvel fans after the backlash from WandaVision, so I think he's genuine in hinting to people that not all is as it seems when it comes to that ship. At the very least, he's seemingly suggesting we shouldn't expect the cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps to emerge from that shuttle, but what makes others think it'll be the actors from the original movie?

Why Would The MCU Bring Back The Original Fantastic Four?

It would make sense that the storytellers in the MCU were setting up to bring back the original Fantastic Four group, especially after reminding audiences about them with Chris Evans' cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine. Of course, the question of why they'd need to be included in future Avengers movies is a valid question, especially since their Doctor Doom isn't even portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.

Playing devil's advocate that this theory is true, my personal opinion is that Marvel Studios is encouraging storytellers to load as many heroes into the universe as it can ahead of the new Avengers movies because it intends to make it a bloodbath event. Audiences will expect the stakes to match the destruction seen in Avengers: Endgame, and I think the only way that happens is if Doctor Doom just wipes a healthy number of heroes off the planet for good.

Of course, executives at Marvel Studios still want to make movies, so it would be a smarter idea to bring in past Marvel actors and have those characters killed off as opposed to the ones they intend to stick with. It's one of the advantages of the multiverse, but that's just my theory as to why someone as random as the original Fantastic Four cast would factor into the MCU in the immediate future.

Watch the original Fantastic Four movies right now with a Disney+ subscription, and get ready for The Fantastic Four: First Steps when it arrives on July 25th. That'll be right in the middle of San Diego Comic-Con, so maybe there will be some more insight as to what's going on with that shuttle by then.

Pop culture is full of fun rivalries like Backstreet Boys vs. *NSYNC, Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James, Star Wars vs. Star Trek, and the ever-popular debate over the best Chris in Hollywood. One member of that latter discussion, Chris Evans, actually helped to answer some of these questions alongside his Materialists co-star Dakota Johnson amid the release of their film on the 2025 movie calendar. And wow, there’s no love here for The Summer I Turned Pretty.

In Materialists, which received a full 5 stars in CinemaBlend’s review, Dakota Johnson’s Lucy finds herself torn between Chris Evans’ John and Pedro Pascal’s Harry. It therefore seemed appropriate to get their opinions on other famed love triangles. Twilight was the first series mentioned by MTV, to which Johnson cagily responded, “Who?” as Evans admitted:

Honestly, I appreciate Chris Evans’ candor here, because we’ve all got an opinion. (I used to think I was Team Jacob, but I now know I was just Team Shirtless Taylor Lautner.) Dakota Johnson’s response is particularly hilarious coming from the star of Fifty Shades of Grey, whose novels began as Twilight fanfic. She ultimately copped to being Team Edward as well.

Next up was Dawson’s Creek, where The Avengers star again offered a quick judgment on the Dawson vs. Pacey debate, saying:

Sorry, James Van Der Beek, this vote’s unanimous as well, with Dakota Johnson agreeing:

Then came the YA book-to-screen adaptation The Summer I Turned Pretty, whose third season premieres July 16 and will be available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription. The question of Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad elicited confused stares from the Materialists stars, and Dakota Johnson unknowingly went full Belly with her response of:

Honestly, she has no idea how spot-on she is. At least, as someone who has watched the YA series.

In Chris Evans’ and Dakota Johnson’s defense, if you’re old enough to have watched Dawson’s Creek, you may be a bit old to have read Jenny Han’s coming-of-age young adult romance trilogy or watched the Prime Video series. Alas, I am just that older Millennial, so I will weigh in with my unpopular (but correct) TSITP opinion.

Here at CinemaBlend, some of us are very Team Jeremiah, while naturally we’ve also got the Team Conrad girlies. Personally, I find Conrad and Belly both very annoying, not great people, and if they want to do that together, more power to them. My official stance is Team Jeremiah Can Do Better.

Now that I’ve settled that, it really is worth checking out Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans’ confusion when asked about The Summer I Turned Pretty characters:

Be sure to catch these two in Materialists, which is in theaters now, and if you’re looking for something to watch at home, be sure you’re caught up on the first two seasons of The Summer I Turned Pretty so you can see how this love triangle plays out when the trilogy resumes Wednesday, July 16, on Prime Video.

Since my wife and I first met 13 years ago this week, we’ve had two things in common: we’re madly in love with one another, and we love going to the movies together. Big movies, small movies, happy movies, sad movies; it doesn’t matter, we’ve seen it all together. So, when we found out the Materialists, Celine Song’s follow-up to Past Lives, was taking up a spot on the 2025 movie schedule, we found a babysitter and went to the local theater.

Going in, I heard the movie was loved by critics (CinemaBlend’s own Riley Utley gave it a five-star review), and so I had a feeling this was going to be one of the best rom-coms in quite some time, with its love triangle involving characters played by Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal. And it was. We loved it. However, when the poignant Materialists end credits scene hit with a very specific song, my wife and I had an emotional and personal experience that we’ll never forget…

Materialists' End Credits Scene Is Charming And Incredibly Unique

There have been some great non-MCU end credits scenes over the years (though those Marvel stingers are great, for the most part), and I will say that the sequence that plays on the screen during the credits for Materialists is near or at the top of that list.

The fixed security camera showing Lucy (Dakota Johnson) and John (Chris Evans) among a sea of other New Yorkers tying the knot at a busy courthouse is both charming and unique in its presentation. Writer and director Celine Song could have totally given these two a more focused and personal wedding sequence, but honestly, this is the best way to wrap up their unorthodox romance.

But Then John Prine's 'In Spite Of Ourselves' Started Playing

Just when I thought the sequence couldn’t get any better, I heard the familiar and unforgettable opening of John Prine and Iris Dement’s 1999 duet, “In Spite of Ourselves,” take over the speakers. My wife and I, standing near the exit of the now completely empty theater, embraced, started crying, and laughed as the three-and-a-half-minute song about a couple in love with each other in spite of all their weird quirks and bad habits played on while Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson’s characters walked off screen.

Writing about it now has me both laughing and crying as I recount a memory that, despite being only a few days old, has quickly become one of my favorite and most personal experiences with my wife.

This Song, Which Perfectly Sums Up The Movie, Has Become Our Anthem In Recent Years

With a chorus that goes, “In spite of ourselves, we'll end up a'sittin' on a rainbow; against all odds, honey, we're the big door prize,” this classic from the late songwriter perfectly sums up Materialists. Lucy and John, knowing that being together doesn’t make sense financially or psychologically, throw caution to the wind with those “big old hearts dancin’ in our eyes.”

More importantly, “In Spite of Ourselves” has become an anthem for my wife and me in recent years. It's a song that helps us remember what’s important when we get lost in the madness, chaos, and uncertainty of life. As I always tell her, “Honey, we're the big door prize.”

So, what’s the moral of the story? Well, it has to be to stick around until the credits are finished. Not only are you honoring the hard work hundreds or thousands of people put into something, but you could also have an experience like this.

Chris Evans is having a creative resurgence. Fresh off the release of Celine Song’s romantic drama Materialists, which dropped on his 44th birthday, the actor is reminding fans he’s more than Captain America. While he’s currently playing a jaded actor caught in a love triangle with characters played by Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal, some of the most exciting possibilities in his future might come from closer to home. Literally.

In a wide-ranging interview with Vanity Fair, Evans opened up about everything from his 2025 movie schedule to his dream of directing again. He even discussed his desire to tackle a movie musical. Interestingly, he was also asked if he’d ever consider working with his wife, actress Alba Baptista. His answer was immediate—and nearly as enthusiastic as his marriage proposal. Evans told the outlet:

It’s not the first time the Red One actor has spoken warmly about his creative partnership with Baptista, who starred in Warrior Nun and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. However, this perhaps the clearest sign yet that a professional collaboration could be on the table in the future. The Boston-born star praised his wife’s talent and their shared rhythm behind the scenes, hinting that their chemistry could translate just as well on screen.

Though the couple hasn’t announced any upcoming projects together, Chris Evans already has plenty on his plate. After Materialists, he’s set to appear in Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t and the action-adventure flick Sacrifice alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and Sam Richardson. And, while he hasn’t directed since his 2014 debut Before We Go, the idea clearly still excites him, especially if the right project (or the right cast) comes along.

Even though Evans is open to working with Alba Baptista, there is something to consider. Evans admitted that he’s more selective these days, particularly after learning how all-consuming directing can be. So, even if they do end up working together, it might be some time before it actually happens.

For now, fans can enjoy the behind-the-scenes collaborations Chris Evans hinted at. Still, I love that Evans is genuinely excited by the notion of working with his wife in some capacity. And who knows? If Baptista ever joins the MCU (there are plenty of comic book-based roles she could take on) and if the former Avengers star returns as Captain America/Steve Rogers, there’s always a chance their paths could cross in an upcoming Marvel movie.

Chris Evans' performance in Materialists has been receiving tons of rave reviews. So, if you want to check it out, it's playing now in theaters; be sure to check your local listings.

Spoilers for Materialists, which was just released in theaters, are ahead! Read with caution, and go see the romance written and directed by Celine Song.

Whenever I watch one of the best rom-coms or a great romance movie, I’m always eagerly anticipating the love confession, the climactic moment where the characters finally accept and share their feelings for each other. Two of my favorite scenes like this are in the classics Pride & Prejudice and When Harry Met Sally. Now, the 2025 movie schedule’s newest romance, Materialists, also features a knockout love confession from Chris Evans that’s one for the books, and it’s similar to the two moments I just mentioned. Let’s chat about why.

So far, Chris Evans’s performance as John in Materialists has been receiving rave reactions. ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley called this his “best big-screen performance.” My CinemaBlend's review of Materialists also cited this as a career highlight for the actor. Meanwhile, Matt Neglia from Next Best Picture claimed that Evans gives “one of the great romantic monologues in cinema.”

I have to agree, Evans’ two-part love confession at the end of Materialists is amazing, and I had to talk to Celine Song about it. So, during our interview, I asked her about her favorite scenes like this and if any of them influenced this film. I cited When Harry Met Sally, and she agreed with that, before saying:

The Past Lives writer/director then told me why she loved these. Speaking about Mr. Darcy’s “I love you” moment in the field and Harry’s New Year’s Eve proclamation, she explained why the “neurotic” nature of both was why she adored them:

It’s worth noting that 2005’s Pride and Prejudice (a movie I adore) was a reference for Song, via A24. And she spoke at length about her love for Nora Ephron and When Harry Met Sally with People.

So, with all that in mind, it got me thinking even more about Chris Evans’ love confession in Materialists. The moment is split between two scenes, one at a wedding and the other outside an apartment. Like Mr. Darcy and Harry, there’s an urgency and rush to John’s confession, and he's more than ready to spend the rest of his life with Dakota Johnson's Lucy.

Then hearing him say, “You asked me how I could love you, I just do, it’s the easiest thing,” was when I really started thinking about these classic romances.

I couldn’t put my finger on why immediately, but Song explained it. All these confessions are neurotic; you can feel their nerves and anxiety as they were vulnerable, and it's always undeniably charming and heartfelt. The love they feel overtakes them, and it's impossible for my heart not to explode with theirs.

On top of that, like Billy Crystal and Matthew Macfadyen’s performances in their movies, Evans “means it,” as Song said. I believed every single word he said. And that, mixed with the urgency in his voice and vulnerability he was showing, made for a truly romantic moment that I’ll certainly remember forever alongside the epic confessions of love in Pride & Prejudice and When Harry Met Sally.

At this point, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Chris Evans playing Steve Rogers (a.k.a. Captain America) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Back in the early aughts though, Evans had to vie with other actors for the gig. There were a few notable names in the running, including Scott Porter, who’s still known for his work on Friday Night Lights. Porter recently recalled his audition and shared honest thoughts about what it was like losing the part to Evans. Based on the way he described it, it was a painful experience.

Scott Porter has forged a solid career for himself, having landed roles in various TV shows and movies. Nevertheless, losing the opportunity to play the leader of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes really stung at the time. Porter discussed it all during his appearance on Watch What Happens Live, where host Andy Cohen and others listened with intrigue as he shared his recollections. The Ginny & Georgia actor recalled being in the final four and, as he explained in the clip shared to TikTok, he prematurely bought into the hype around him:

Steve Rogers takes a lot of hits, but I’m sure the comic book hero has never felt the sting of losing an acting job to someone. It’s hard not to empathize with Scott Porter, as I can certainly understand why he’d want to play the MCU’s Sentinel of Liberty. However, despite having that freakout years ago, Porter now has a very tempered and reasonable take on not landing the role:

During his interview, Scott Porter mentioned that the other two actors that were part of the final four were his Hart of Dixie co-star Wilson Bethel and Mike Vogel (of Under the Dome and Sex/Life fame). Bethel has been open about losing out on Cap and, in hindsight, it’s ironic that he was in contention since he was later cast as the MCU’s Bullseye. Other notable stars auditioned before the top four were selected. John Krasinski tried out for the part, though he opted against it after seeing the muscular Chris Hemsworth in costume as Thor. Comedian Dane Cook even apologized to Marvel for his audition after the fact.

Chris Evans may not have been everyone’s first choice for the role of Cap, given his prior role as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films of the 2000s. However, Evans ultimately embodied the role perfectly, playing Steve Rogers in various MCU films between 2011 and 2019. The star’s winning performance is a major reason why a number of fans would like to see him reprise his role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and/or Secret Wars. Evans had denied rumors of a reprisal (though some fans remain skeptical).

Scott Porter should, at the very least be proud to have made it as far through the auditions as he did. Not only that, but Porter went on to voice heroic characters in animated productions like Marvel Anime: X-Men, Ultimate Spider-Man and Avengers Assemble. And, based on his MCU fandom, I’d imagine that he’d be seated if Chris Evans does actually return as Captain America. Fans can check out Cap’s exploits in the MCU by streaming the films of the Infinity Saga on Disney+.

SPOILERS for Materialists are ahead! If you have not seen the movie yet, you can catch it in theaters now.

When you look at the list of projects on the 2025 movie schedule, you expect end-credit sequences on upcoming Marvel movies and maybe an action movie here and there. You likely don’t expect one for a romance. However, Celine Song’s Materialists has one. So, when I sat down to interview the writer/director, I asked her about this unconventional choice, and she told me why she “knew” she wanted to end her film with this poignant scene.

Ahead of Materialists' release, I had the chance to interview Song about her romance, and I knew I had to ask about the end credits. As the names of the cast and crew rolled, a full scene played out that showed Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans’ characters getting married at City Hall. However, instead of the camera being close to and moving with them, it was stationary and far away, like a security camera.

Speaking about why she chose that distant and stationary angle, Song told me:

Like other great end-credits scenes, this gave us a peek into what was next for the characters, and it served as a lovely and unique epilogue to the story Song told. I’d never seen anything quite like it; however, it also captured an experience many couples have had.

Speaking to that point, the writer/director told me that she married her partner, Challengers writer Justin Kuritzkes, at City Hall. During that time, she realized the point that’s illustrated in these end credits.

In the Materialists scene, you can spot Johnson’s Lucy and Evans’ John getting married; however, you can also watch countless other couples tie the knot. To Song, this shows the totally unique yet universal way of love. While each couple has their own story, they also go to this place to do the exact same thing. She explained:

Along with highlighting this experience that’s both individual and universal, the Past Lives director told me that this final moment also points out a central theme of this movie.

Materialists spend a lot of time considering the, for lack of a better term, material attributes we desire in a partner and the unexplainable magic of love. These two things butt heads in the film, however, in this final moment, the director says you can see them come together:

Isn’t that beautiful? I also love that Celine Song knew her movie would end on this note. As she said, it highlights the message of Materialists perfectly, and it’s such a wildly unique way to present a scene that serves as both an end-credits scene and an epilogue.

So far, Materialsists has been getting rave reactions from critics, and this scene is certainly one of the reasons why I love the film so much. Like all the best rom-coms, this movie left me swooning, and it was carried by brilliant performances from Johnson, Evans and Pedro Pascal. However, while it has all the qualities and talent needed for a great romance, it also marches to the beat of its own drum and is wholly unique thanks to moments like this end credits scene.

When I found out Celine Song, the director and writer of Past Lives, was making a romance with Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal, I was sold, no questions asked. I had a feeling that Materialists would be great and have something profound to say. I’m thrilled to report that’s exactly what happened.

This romance brilliantly plays with rom-com tropes and tells a brutally realistic yet romantic story that I think will be one for the ages thanks to the thoughtful script and direction from Song and the stellar cast she assembled.

Materialists follows a matchmaker named Lucy (Dakota Johnson) as she meets Harry (Pedro Pascal), a rich man who is working to woo her, and runs into John (Chris Evans), a very important person from her past. What follows is a deep and romantic tale about the materialistic things we desire and how they compete with our romantic and human instincts.

It’s a brilliant and real portrait of love in the modern age, and Celine Song manages to use the romance genre and its tropes to tell a new, refreshing, fierce and magical tale that left me swooning and pondering what I know about love and life.

Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans give career-best performances in Materialists.

This film centers around Dakota Johnson’s matchmaker Lucy and the juxtaposition of her work, which involves trying to find love for others, with her cynical view on romance and her own love life. Over the course of the movie, her mentality about the math of love is challenged and explained through her work as well as her relationships with John and Harry, and every step of the way, Johnson plays this flawed woman flawlessly.

Meanwhile, Chris Evans plays John, a down-on-his-luck actor who runs into Lucy while working as a cater-waiter at a wedding for one of her clients. He brings this character to life in such a vulnerable and thoughtful way that you can’t help but feel empathy for him as he struggles to figure out what direction to take. His best moments, however, come with Johnson.

Lucy and John share a past that requires undeniable chemistry, and Johnson and Evans have it. From quiet moments and longing looks to some of the best dialogue I’ve heard in a romance movie maybe ever, these two were made to share the screen. From the first moment when John walks up to Lucy with a Coke and beer in hand, there’s an unquestionable spark between them that had me on the edge of my seat while my heart burst out of my chest.

Overall, it’s impossible to deny the fact that through telling Lucy, John and Harry's cynical yet romantic story, Johnson and Evans turned in career-best performances.

Celine Song’s script uses rom-com tropes and structure to say something new and poignant.

I read and watch a lot of romance, and I was quick to clock how Celine Song uses rom-com tropes and structure to tell a story that is new and poignant. This movie is marketed as a rom-com, and in many ways, it is. The poster itself will tell you that this story focuses on a love triangle that is thoughtfully executed by Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal.

Along with your classic love triangle, Song also utilizes other trope-y devices like meet-cutes and love confessions with ease. Moments, like one character’s tearjerking love confession to Lucy, had me thinking about rom-com classics likeWhen Harry Met Sally. However, this film also uses these tools to tell an observant and thoughtful story about the commodification of ourselves and love in an effort to find a lifelong partner.

Song fearlessly uses her rom-com to address logical and practical issues that all relationships face – like money – in a way that is real and hard to swallow at times. However, it’s also what makes this movie brilliant.

We see that through Lucy and Harry’s relationship and how they treat each other. They both analyze their romance like a business deal, and that ends up impacting their relationship in a self-aware and critical way. Meanwhile, Lucy and John grapple with their history and present relationship while clashing over this issue and how it conflicts with their feelings for each other.

By all of this being boxed into a rom-com-shaped package, Materialists forces us to think about how we pick and choose partners and what we deem important. It also asks us to question the challenges we face with our partners and test the strength of love through them.

In the end, this film is about the balance between math and magic, and Song’s script illustrates that beautifully by using tropes, structure and devices that are commonplace in the romance genre.

Materialists directly calls out how love is being treated in modern-day society and asks viewers to reexamine it.

Overall, Materialists feels like it's holding up a mirror to modern-day society and how we view finding a partner. The film unabashedly focuses on the math of love, and Lucy works with her clients to find dates who fit their qualifications. From height to age to salary, Song calls out the superficial attributes we fixate on, whether we want to or not.

Dating apps and, in this movie’s case, matchmaking services, ask people to sell themselves and buy stock in others. In this world, we are like finance bros, buying and trading ourselves like we’re money. I’d never thought about relationships that way before, and Song forced me to in a thoughtful and provocative way.

However, she also shamelessly believes in love and lets that fact shine throughout this film. Like all great romances, Materialists left me in a lovestruck daze. While Lucy might proclaim that “marriage is a business deal, and it always has been,” she also experiences the unexplainable joys and challenges that come with love.

This math of relationships and magic of love is the central conflict of Materialists, and the way Lucy juggles them is what we witness and learn from throughout the film. Overall, through Lucy’s journey, we are forced to acknowledge that love isn’t a science. It’s not really explainable, no matter how hard we try. Sometimes, as much as we want to follow the numbers, math and logic, we have to surrender what we don’t know and just accept the magic of it all.

In the upcoming A24 movie Materialists, Chris Evans plays a struggling actor named John. Now, while Evans is by no means a struggling actor these days, back at the start of his career, he could relate to what his character was going through in some ways. He recently proved that by recalling the story behind a “horrible” audition for The Dreamers that still haunts him.

Back in the early 2000s, Chris Evans was working his way up in Hollywood, and before 2003’s The Dreamers came out, the biggest project he’d been a part of was Not Another Teen Movie in 2001. While chatting with IMDb for the release of Materialists on the 2025 movie schedule, he also threw it back to the early days of his career and the terrible audition experience he had for the Bernardo Bertolucci movie, explaining:

This story reminds me of the audition scene in La La Land, where Emma Stone’s character is giving it her all while being ignored by casting directors. However, in Evans' case, he didn’t even get the chance to show the casting director what he’d prepared. He just got a flat-out “Nope” the second he walked through the door.

Not to mention, he had to wait for hours to get that response, too. No wonder he still remembers this audition over 20 years later.

The Dreamers is a movie about an American student in Paris who winds up in a steamy friendship with two French siblings. It stars Michael Pitt as the American Matthew, and the siblings are played by Louis Garrel and Eva Green. It received mixed to positive reviews, and currently has a 59% Tomatometer on Rotten Tomatoes.

Meanwhile, as you likely know, Chris Evans went on to land major films. He played Johnny Storm in 2005’s Fantastic Four. He was part of the legendary Scott Pilgrim vs. the World cast. And, of course, in 2011, he became Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Now, Chris Evans is a bona fide movie star. So even though The Dreamers didn’t work out, and he has the audition horror story to prove it, everything panned out in the end.

Along with starring in some of Marvel’s best movies, he also played a vital role in Rian Johnson’s hit whodunit, Knives Out. Now, Materialists is already earning rave reactions ahead of its June 13 premiere, and Evans’ performance is specifically being pointed to as a major highlight (which I can confirm, because I’ve seen and love the movie).

Now, I have to wonder if his audition for The Dreamers informed his performance in Celine Song’s romance in any way. John is a struggling actor, and clearly, Evans has faced some of the same challenges. However, now, thankfully, that’s all in the rear view, and he likely doesn’t have to deal with those struggles, like being totally rejected by a casting director before even getting a word in.

I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy, but given that Materialists, which hits the 2025 movie calendar on June 13, is coming from director Celine Song (Past Lives) and is one of A24’s upcoming movies, I think it’s a pretty safe bet this won’t be just any old genre standard. In fact, early reactions calling it “more than a rom-com” indicate as much, and now critics are here to share their expanded opinions.

Dakota Johnson stars in Celine Song’s Materialists as a professional matchmaker who finds herself torn between a new beau (Pedro Pascal) and a struggling actor from her past (Chris Evans). Siddhant Adlakha of IGN says below the surface of this love-triangle romance is a meaningful, introspective drama about self-worth. The critic gives it an “Amazing” 9 out of 10, writing:

Pete Hammond of Deadline calls the movie “sublime” and thinks it could serve as an alternative to some of the summer’s most highly-anticipated blockbusters. Materialists confirms Celine Song as one of the most exciting new filmmaking voices, the critic says, as she provides a film that can be appreciated by both romantic purists and cynics. Hammond continues:

Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair says the movie explores the push and pull between passion and practicality. It begins to ask difficult questions about the darker side of modern dating and the matchmaking business but unfortunately pulls back before getting too deep. There’s still much to savor about Materialists, Lawson says, writing:

Kate Erbland of IndieWire grades the movie a B and says don’t be fooled by the marketing — Materialists is a more of a cynical takedown of the rom-com than a romantic comedy itself. In Erbland’s words:

Not all critics were as taken with the movie, though. Natalia Keogan of AV Club gives it a B-, writing that Materialists lacks the fleshed-out characters and “triangulated tension” that made Past Lives successful. The filmmaker’s insistence that relationships are largely transactional is void of any meaningful insight, the critic says, resulting in a story that doesn’t pay off. Keogan continues:

While the film may not be everybody’s cup of tea, overall critical response so far has been positive, with Celine Song’s sophomore effort drawing 88% on Rotten Tomatoes. It will be interesting to see how audiences react to Materialists, especially if they go in expecting a “silly” rom-com. Catch it in theaters starting Friday, June 13.

A little under a year ago, Marvel Studios dropped the bombshell news at San Diego Comic-Con that Robert Downey Jr. was returning to the MCU to play Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. And it wasn’t just the general public that was surprised by Downey’s involvement in these two upcoming Marvel movies. Chris Evans, who starred in the Marvel movies in order opposite the Iron Man actor as Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America, was also part of the crows, and he used a pizza analogy while describing how he reacted to the big news last summer.

Evans has been making the press rounds to talk about Materialists, the 2025 movie release he stars in opposite Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal. But naturally Marvel-related subjects have also been coming up, and while speaking with ScreenRant, he had this to say about RDJ’s return while seated next to Johnson:

Anyone else hungry for pizza now? I can understand Chris Evans’ initial confusion since that’s how I felt when the news about Robert Downey Jr.’s new role in the MCU. After all, Tony Stark sacrificed his life in Avengers: Endgame to wipe Thanos and his army from existence, bringing an end to his 11-year story. Sure, there was the possibility of a Tony Stark variant from another universe showing up, but I sincerely didn’t think Downey would return to this franchise so soon.

But evidently Marvel Studios found another way to prepare the proverbial pizza, and now Robert Downey Jr.’s will get to leave a villainous imprint on the MCU after more than a decade of playing a hero. Chris Evans sounds like he’s eager to see how RDJ does playing Doctor Doom, and this casting actually establishes another connective thread between them. Doom is traditionally depicted as the Fantastic Four’s arch-nemesis, and before he was cast as Captain America, he played Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch, in the Fantastic Four movies from the 2000s, as well as in last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine.

Although there have been rumors that Chris Evans will return to the MCU as well, potentially even by making a cameo appearance in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, he denied this back in January. So assuming he’s telling the truth, he’ll get to see with the rest of us how Robert Downey Jr. does playing Doctor Doom when Avengers: Doomsday is releases on December 17, 2026.

Dakota Johnson is currently making waves amid the 2025 movie schedule, thanks to her upcoming rom-com, Materialists. The Celine Song-helmed film is already receiving rave reviews from critics, Johnson’s work has been praised. In the film, the actress plays a matchmaker torn between two men. In that spirit, Johnson was recently asked on The Today Show what a non-negotiable would be if she were being set up by a matchmaker. The actress’ response was so brutally honest that even co-star Chris Evans seemed stunned.

The two co-stars of one of A24’s upcoming films gave two very different answers when Today’s Craig Melvin posed the aforementioned question to them. When faced with the query, Chris Evans said “must love dogs,” which tracks, considering his own affection for the furry creatures. (Evans has even gone viral for playing with shelter dogs.) As for Dakota Johnson, her note had more to do with a potential partner’s personality. Check out what she said in the clip (from X) below:

I’d say that’s a very direct requirement. Honestly, I’m not sure what threw me for a loop more: the actress’ “not an asshole” declaration or the look on her co-star’s face when she said it. For his part, Craig Melvin also didn’t seem to be expecting that particular comment. Ultimately though, it’s hard not to appreciate the sheer candidness of the actress’ answer. Plus, I’d argue that a number of people would probably agree with that particular desire as it pertains to finding a relationship.

These comments from Dakota Johnson arrive on the heels of reports pertaining to her and longtime boyfriend Chris Martin. People, along with other outlets, reported days ago that Johnson and the Coldplay member had ended their relationship. The two reportedly started dating in 2017 and, since then, they’d kept their romance relatively private. Said relationship also allegedly had the support of Gwyneth Paltrow, Martin’s ex-wife with whom he shares two kids.

As for Chris Evans’ love life, he’s now a married man. He exchanged vows with Portuguese model Alba Baptiste in 2023, with the couple tying the knot during not one but two ceremonies that year. Neither of them commonly share details about their marriage, but Evans did just reveal the sweet story behind his proposal. Apparently, he orchestrated a sweet moment, in which he asked for Baptiste’s hand in marriage in her native language. If you ask me, that sounds like something ripped right out of the best romantic comedies.

Speaking of rom-coms, Materialists’ trailer suggests it's more than your standard rom-com. Celine Song’s latest centers on matchmaker Lucy, who seemingly meets the man of her dreams (Pedro Pascal). However, her love life becomes complicated after she runs into an ex (Chris Evans) who’s still carrying a torch for her. It seems to be a sweet movie and, as far as I can tell, there don’t seem to be any a-hole characters in the mix.

The specifics of Dakota Johnson’s actual love life remain privy solely to her and those she lets in. However, if anything, her viral moment on The Today Show now seems to indicate that she knows what she doesn’t want out of a partner. And, if she is truly single, potential matchmakers and suitors should take notice.

Chris Evans may be well known for his role as Captain America in the Marvel movies, but it seems he's now getting back to his rom-com roots. The fan-favorite actor is starring in Celine Song’s Materialists, in which he plays a waiter/struggling actor who reunites with his ex. As for Evans’ actual love life, he's married to Alba Baptista. While the actor keeps the details of that relationship close to the vest, he revealed how enthusiastic he was about the moment he proposed to her, and I'm loving it.

After allegedly dating for a year, Chris Evans and Portuguese actress Alba Baptista made their relationship Instagram official in January 2023. That confirmation was followed by cute Valentine’s Day photos. Ultimately, Baptiste and Evans married in two ceremonies held that same year, both taking place where the bride and groom respectively grew up. As for how Evans enthusiastically popped the question, he told his adorable story to The Knot at the New York City premiere of Materialists, and try not to swoon over it:

That’s beyond cute! I feel like that’s perfect, because Evans was not only making a lifetime commitment but also showing reverence for his then-girlfriend's culture. After all, marriage is about two people delving into each other’s worlds and choosing to speak love in every form it takes. I'm not sure who actually came up with the idea but, if it was actually Evans', kudos to him for totally nailing that proposal.

Even though Chris Evans knew how he was going to pop the question to Alba Baptista, it didn't mean he wasn’t nervous about it. The Ghosted actor went on to talk about how he prepared for the big moment and, needless to say, his recollections sound like something straight out of a romantic comedy:

I would have loved to have seen that sweet proposal! I also totally understand where Chris Evans is coming from. When I try to practice my Spanish, I’m always worried about how it’ll come out. In the case of a proposal, it could've been nerve-wracking enough to pop the question in English.

Plus, this is a memory that both Evans and his partner would have forever, so he'd want to get it right. It’s clear that even with all of that practice, Chris Evans wanted to get his Portuguese proposal right on the spot. Apparently, he didn’t “screw it up” after which he was eventually seen sporting a wedding ring for the first time at a convention in October 2023. I’d like to believe Alba Baptista's future husband’s efforts won her over and showed her he was proposing with all the love he could muster.

Chris Evans' proposal story is just another reason why I love the actor so much, and it honestly makes him feel even more relatable. Here's hoping he and Alba Baptiste cherish that memory for the rest of their lives. At present, know that fans can check out Evans' work in the 2025 movie release Materialists when it hits theaters on June 13th.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is rapidly expanding all the time, but do you want to know something even better? The TV universe is, as well.

Well, maybe "rapidly" isn’t the right word, but they’re certainly improving in specific ways. I think when we first started seeing all these Marvel TV shows – and how they were connected to the upcoming Marvel films – all of us were excited. Many of the series began back in 2021, when we were all still stuck at home. Since movie theaters were closed, it was the only Marvel we could get at the time.

However, they began to slow down, or some received heavy backlash, and the MCU decided to adopt a quality-over-quantity approach, which I completely agree with. So, the TV shows became few and far between, with only a couple being released at a time. Most recently, it was Daredevil: Born Again, and soon, it’ll be Ironheart, which looks fantastic.

But, fans have a suggestion for a television show that I’ve been thinking about for quite a while, and now I have to discuss why it would work.

The MCU Shows Are Fun, And Fans Would Like To See Steve Rogers In One

Like I said in the beginning, I’m not saying that MCU shows aren’t fun because, trust me, they are. I’ve been their biggest fan.

While there are some that I probably won’t revisit (like Secret Invasion), there are others that have not only expanded my love for the characters that are followed, but also introduced me to new characters that I really wouldn’t have cared about if not for this series.

For example, WandaVision, of course, made me love Wanda and her Scarlet Witch moments even more throughout the franchise. Ms. Marvel introduced me to Kamala Khan and her awesomeness, and I found the series to be great for teens. I would have loved to see more. Heck, even Hawkeye gave me a greater appreciation for the effective archer and, of course, made me love Kate Bishop.

I’m excited about the new TV shows that are coming out, but there’s one series that fans have talked about that I really think would be fun if Marvel wanted to pull it off – and it involves Steve Rogers.

Wouldn’t It Be Cool To See Steve Rogers Return The Infinity Stones?

The fan idea that I’ve seen everywhere and one that has grown on me more and more, is Steve’s journey returning the Infinity Stones. We clearly see that when Steve returns to the present and hands Sam the shield to be Captain America (honestly, Sam Wilson’s Captain America is my favorite), he has aged. A lot. He looks like he'll be on death’s doorstep pretty soon.

However, we also know that Steve went through a great deal to return all six of those stones. Sure, he went back to specific periods – which is how it led him to spend his days with Peggy – but we also know that he went back to different parts of the universe to return them.

Just think of all the craziness that could happen during that mission – something that we did not see at all.

We’d Be Able To See So Many Cool Cameos

Throughout the movies where we see the stones, we also know that they’re often associated with major characters from the past who return to be a part of that stone’s appearance. For example, with the Soul Stone, we obviously saw Red Skull again, from Captain America: The First Avenger. So, who knows what the heck would go on if Steve Rogers saw him again?

Aside from people in Steve’s past, there were other cameos we could see again, as well – maybe Tom Hiddleston’s Loki once again, or perhaps someone else that we haven’t seen in a long time. There could be a lot of room to explore.

It Could Lead To Us Connecting More With Steve’s Ending

I wrote a whole article not that long ago about how I don’t really connect with Steve’s ending that much anymore, and I still stand by that.

It’s been six years since Avengers: Endgame was released. I know, it’s hard to really think about that after everything that has happened – both in the MCU and just in real life – but it has been that long. Over time, I’ve learned that I really don’t like the ending that they gave Steve.

You can read more about it in my previous article, but the basis is that Steve abandoning his life with Bucky, Sam, and everyone else in the present world was something that felt somewhat out of character for him. Peggy was a one-time love of his, but they never really had anything together aside from, essentially, shared trauma in the war. While that is a quick way to bond, does that lead to them having an entire life together?

That’s what I think this series would answer really well – the why of Steve staying behind to spend his life with her. I could understand if they had been together previously, with serious history, but these two were never truly a couple, and the idea of Steve leaving leaving the life he did have to spend his life with her is surprising in a way.

Perhaps we’d get to see more of their interactions together that led him to make that decision. Maybe we could actually witness their relationship unfold and examine Steve’s mental struggle, such as his decision to stay behind and live out his life rather than return to the present. But instead, all we see is that he returns old.

It’s not the end of the world, but something like that would give great context. And it’s not like we haven’t seen Peggy again in live-action form in one way or another – we saw her as Captain Carter in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, even if just for a little moment. Having her return would be fun.

I Just Wish We Saw Chris Evans Again In Some Way

I think also what it comes down to is that I wouldn’t mind seeing Chris Evans again in some way in the MCU. I didn’t used to feel like that, but hey, if we’re bringing Robert Downey Jr. back to play Doctor Doom as a different variant of himself, why not bring back Evans as a different variant of Steve Rogers or, better yet, do this type of series?

I don’t want to see him return as the Human Torch like in his Deadpool & Wolverine cameo. That’s fun and all, but it’s not the type of Evans content I’m looking for. There’s a lot of room for growth with this idea and a lot of different avenues it could go down to really make it work for his character and give him a great send-off. But for now, I suppose I’ll sit and wait.

The MCU certainly does feel like it’s shifting directions with its television shows, so who knows? We might end up getting something from Evans after all if he decides to come back. Only time will tell.

The new romantic drama Materialists had a lot going for it on paper. It's written and directed by Celine Song, whose previous effor Past Lives was a critical hit and Oscar nominee, and happens to star three of the prettiest talents currently walking the earth in Chris Evans, Dakota Johnson, and the internet's daddy, Pedro Pascal.

It’s rare for a movie with such high expectations surrounding it to actually succeed at such a high level, but based on the first reactions to Materialists, it may have done just that. CinemaBlend’s own Riley Utley was among the first to see the new film, and she said…

Materialists stars Dakota Johnson as a professional matchmaker who is good at finding love for others but not herself. She finds herself pursued by an extremely wealthy Pedro Pascal, as well as an old flame played by Chris Evans. According to The Mary Sue’s Rachel Leishman, all three are in top form in the film. She posted…

The comment about Johnson’s “imperfect” protagonist is an idea that several other critics also reference in their social media reactions. While Materialists looks like a standard rom-com, it seems that none of the three main characters in Materialists is perfect, but then nobody is. That’s ultimately what the movie is about, or isn't. No, wait, is.

As Next Best Picture’s Matt Neglia put it…

Looking for anybody saying anything bad about the upcoming A24 film is honestly difficult. The closest I could get was the reaction from critic Scott Menzel, whose only negative criticism was a single joke that didn’t work. The rest is just as glowing as everybody else…

Materialists hits theaters on Friday, June 13.. If these reviews hold up Celine Song could find herself as one of the more in demand writers and directors in Hollywood with two hits in as many movies.

Many Hollywood stars have decided to leave California to live a comfortable life outside of the glitz and glam of Los Angeles. Whether you live on a ranch in Wyoming like Harrison Ford, or in New Mexico like Julia Roberts, these A-listers' new locations have still made it possible for them to continue working. Chris Evans is next in line to leave Los Angeles with a very sweet reason why.

Two years after Chris Evans made his MCU debut in Captain America: The First Avenger, he purchased a 1940s-era four-bedroom home in California. However, SFGate has reported that the American actor has put his Los Angeles home on the market for $6.99 million, with listing agent Scott Moore stating the actor’s sweet reason why:

In January 2023, before going Instagram official with their relationship, Chris Evans and Portuguese actress Alba Baptista dated for over a year. Then, in October of that year, the couple tied the knot in two wedding ceremonies— one in Massachusetts, where the actor grew up, and another in Portugal, where his wife came from.

Chris Evans’ sweet reasoning for moving to the East Coast to create a new life with his wife and family makes a lot of sense. Back in 2015 on The Tonight Show, Evans said his mother and two sisters still live in their childhood home. If that still rings true now, it’s only natural he wouldn’t want to leave his roots behind.

Plus, the Fantastic Four actor’s brother, Scott, said romance was hard for Chris due to being trailed by the media. As a source claimed that Chris Evans was ready to settle down with his wife and have kids, raising a family where his own family lives would be perfect for a new life chapter.

2022’s Sexiest Man Alive wouldn't be the only actor to decide to move away from Los Angeles. Other examples include Josh Duhamel, who lives in a lakeside home in the Minnesota woods for the good of his family to learn things they wouldn’t learn in L.A. Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban have a Nashville residence, along with Chrissy Metz living in the same Southern area to be near her family and the great music there.

And you can’t forget about fellow MCU vet Chris Hemsworth, who famously lives in Byron Bay, Australia with his wife and three kids. Being away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood, celebrities can live a comfortable life with their families away from the paparazzi and still be able to work.

Chris Evans may be saying goodbye to his Los Angeles pad, but it'll be an even sweeter move for him leaving it behind to move to the East Coast to be with his family. A happy life with his wife and building a family together near his roots is something Los Angeles will never be able to compete with. Make sure to watch his 2025 movie release Materialists, in theaters on June 13th.

In the years since Chris Evans concluded his stint with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he's remained busy. He's currently looking towards the release of two new films on the 2025 movie calendar. Given the actor has stayed so active in the business as of late, it's not surprising that he'd prefer to slow down a bit. In fact, Evans is dreaming of just kicking back, smoking pot and taking up pottery. Funny enough, those are some of Seth Rogen's pastimes, and the comedic actor -- who's one of Hollywood's great potheads -- responded to Evans' desire in an on-brand way.

On the docket for Chris Evans right now are rom-com Materialists and Ethan Coen's Honey Don't! It's probably safe to assume that Evans is thankful for the various acting gigs he's been able to line up as of late. However, everyone needs a break, right? The actor made a comment to GQ, which was shared by Complex's Instagram reposted the quote, and the fan-favorite actor was quite clear about what he'd love to have in his life:

Honestly, that sounds like an excellent way to slow down from the hustle and bustle of Tinseltown. Pottery sounds relaxing, and stars who've smoked marijuana have discussed just how soothing it can be in some ways. Such comments track for the former Captain America actor, who seems to understand the value of personal time. After all, Evans recently celebrated his mom's 70th birthday in person, missing the premiere of Honey Don't! in the process.

Under Complex's post, many took to the comments to weigh in on Chris Evans' thoughts, and most seemed to approve. What I was particularly delighted to see, though, is that Seth Rogen himself entered the chat, and he made a brief, yet, direct, offer:

Talk about receiving a 10 out of 10 green flag invite! I'd be interested in knowing whether the Red One star takes Seth Rogen up on it. Of course, it totally tracks that Rogen would be so gung-ho about that kind of hangout. After all, his cannabis use is practically legendary at this point. Plus, he's the CEO of a ceramics company called Houseplant, which specializes in home goods smoking accessories. So he could surely help Evans get his hands on some quality grass and pottery tools.

Even though Rogen is known to enjoy his downtime, he's been a busy man himself. He made a major impression on the 2025 TV schedule via his show, The Studio, which has been renewed for a second season, he seems open to welcoming the novice to come hang with him. (The acclaimed series is available to stream with an Apple TV+ subscription). Additionally, Rogen will appear in Aziz Ansari's Good Fortune and Andy Serkis’ animated Animal Farm. So, after all that work is done, I'm sure he'll need to take some time to chill and smoke.

Should Chris Evans actually be interested, I think he really could end up listening to some smooth music with Seth Rogen and smoking and doing pottery with him. The thought of such a hangout is actually kind of surreal, and a part of me would love to be a fly on the wall for it.

Chris Evans is a pretty busy man. Between having a few promising ​​upcoming 2025 movies– with A24’s Materialists and Ethan Coen’s Honey Don’t! , it seems like he may be in constant transit. Yet Evans was MIA at Cannes while his Coen costar Margaret Qualley and her her showstopping pink dress killed. The Materialists star clears the air on why his schedule prevented him from the big night, and it surprisingly doesn’t deal with professional endeavors.

While it isn’t the first time the Captain America star missed out on a carpet event (he had to skip the Brave New World premiere due to a project and travel), his reasoning for missing the French film festival is personal and sweet. He took to his stories on social media to express that he wishes he could’ve been with his cast while revealing why he missed out on the 6.5-minute standing ovation for the newest Coen caper. The star shared that it was a milestone birthday for someone very dear to him, and he simply couldn’t miss out:

I love that for the Evans-Capuano clan! Big birthdays are meant to be celebrated with loved ones, and I’m just glad that the Red One actor could swing it. It’s always heartwarming, in my opinion, to see celebs hit pause on their busy professional schedules for big personal moments. And knowing that Evans will hop on a plane to go party with his mom on her 70th makes me a fan of his even more.

It was probably a great way to kick off his big summer. In just a few short weeks, Materialists, the upcoming A24 movie (starring Pedro Pascal, Dakota Johnson and Evans) will hit theaters. The romantic trailer had a lot of people buzzing before, but Pascal quoting Pride and Prejudice to Evans in an interview may have leveled up the hype to the Celine Song-directed title. Then, at the end of the summer, the Evans, Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, and Charlie Day-led upcoming LGBTQ+ flick, Honey Don’t! arrives.

The nationwide August 22nd release will usher in Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke’s second co-written project. Seemingly, it centers around the titular Honey O’Donahue (Qualley) investigating a church head with some shady dealings (Evans). Both seem like great watches, and I can’t wait for them to hit theaters, but I’m curious to keep an eye on Evans’ attendance or if he has more events that equate to why he missed out on the fashionable Cannes evening.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly treating us to new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But those of us who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that the biggest moments come from the Avengers movies. That's why the next two are the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies, and why fan art has transformed Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson into Captain and Madame Hydra respectively.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but its expected to be wild multiversal narrative with a huge cast of characters. While he wasn't in the Doomsday cast live stream, Captain America actor Chris Evans was previously rumored to appear as an evil variant. Now a fan on Instagram has imagined both him and ScarJo as assets to HYDRA, check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? While nothing official from the studio, it would definitely be epic to see Evans and Johansson once again kicking ass together... but this time helping the bad guys. Since the multiverse is upon us, it really feels like just about anything is possible. But whether or not the pair of A-listers want to play these variants is another conversation entirely.

Back in January Chris Evans seemingly denied he was in Doomsday, despite the rumors. Although given Marvel's tight security, fans don't really believe him. After all, Andrew Garfield lied about returning as Spider-Man for years before the release of No Way Home.

While Scarlett Johansson shared hesitancy to ruin Black Widow's ending, maybe she'd be ok with playing a variant. This would help Natasha's death keep having meaning, while still allowing the actress to return to the MCU. Fans are mostly in the dark about Doomsday and Secret Wars, but the fact that The Russo Brothers are back behind the camera for the pair of blockbuster gives the fandom hope that the OG Avengers might be convinced to pop back up somewhere throughout the course of those titles.

Both Black Widow and Captain America got moving conclusions to their stories in Avengers: Endgame. While Nat sacrificed herself to procure the Soul Stone and reverse Thanos' snap, Steve Rogers finally got his happy ending with Peggy thank to time travel. So bringing them back does carry the risk of softening their endings.

Of course, Evans returned in Daredevil & Wolverine, albeit as a variant of the Fantastic Four's Human Torch. So having him once again suit back up as Captain Hydra doesn't feel completely out of the question. I'd have to assume that Johnson would be the harder sell here, but perhaps the Russo Brothers can make it happen.

Avengers: Doomsday isn't expected until next year, so our questions will likely remain for the foreseeable future. The next MCU movie hitting theaters is The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25th as part of the 2025 movie release list.