At SDCC 2024, Marvel Studios confirmed not only the return of directing duo the Russo brothers, but also Robert Downey Jr., who will take on the role of Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, previously The Kang Dynasty, and Secret Wars. This transition will see Downey Jr. go from playing one of the most significant heroes to one of Marvel’s most formidable and notable villains. Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom will create emotional and intense moments in the MCU’s Phase 6, which could include one with his former MCU co-star, Chris Evans.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Marvel Movies
Year
Role
Iron Man
2008
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
The Incredible Hulk
2008
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Iron Man 2
2010
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
The Avengers
2012
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Iron Man 3
2013
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Captain America: Civil War
2016
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Spider-Man: Homecoming
2017
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Avengers: Infinity War
2018
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Avengers: Endgame
2019
Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Avengers: Doomsday
2026
Victor Von Doom’s Doctor Doom
Avengers: Secret Wars
2027
Victor Von Doom’s Doctor Doom
Chris Evans’ Human Torch Could Face RDJ’s Doctor Doom
Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t the only MCU legend to leave the franchise in Avengers: Endgame, as the Phase 3 movie also wrapped up Chris Evans’ journey as Steve Rogers’ Captain America. Since then, there have been calls for Downey Jr. and Evans to reunite in the MCU, with many hoping that multiversal variants of Tony Stark and Steve Rogers could fight alongside each other again at the end of the Multiverse Saga. However, Downey Jr.’s reintroduction as Doctor Doom means this reunion could be much darker.
Instead of returning as Steve Rogers’ Captain America, Chris Evans could deliver another performance as Johnny Storm’s Human Torch. Evans originally debuted in 2005’s Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel at 20th Century Fox, and shockingly returned as the Human Torch in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine. His recent return as the flaming hero suggests he’d be open to reprise the role in the MCU’s future, particularly if pitted against Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, who is usually depicted as the archenemy of the Fantastic Four team.
Why This Reunion Would Be Perfect For The MCU
Even though it would be brilliant to see Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark and Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers back in action in the MCU, the pair reuniting as Doctor Doom and the Human Torch instead might be even more perfect. Downey Jr. was originally in talks to portray Victor Von Doom in 2005’s Fantastic Four, but lost the role to Julian McMahon. Had he been cast, Downey Jr. and Evans would have battled each other years before joining the MCU, so Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars can imagine what this fight may have looked like.
The questionable live-action legacies of Doctor Doom and Johnny Storm could be strengthened massively.
Many have expressed their desire to see Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans back in the MCU, but this often comes with concerns that the pair’s satisfying endings from Avengers: Endgame would be undone. Bringing the acclaimed actors back as Doctor Doom and the Human Torch would prevent these concerns from coming to fruition. Tony Stark can remain dead, while Steve Rogers can remain in his happy life with Peggy Carter, though the questionable live-action legacies of Doctor Doom and Johnny Storm could be strengthened massively.
Will Chris Evans Actually Return For Avengers 5 & 6?
Chris Evans has revealed how excited he was to get the call from Ryan Reynolds to appear as Johnny Storm’s Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine. He later stated that “playing Johnny again was a dream come true,” suggesting that he’d be up for reprising the role again. This perhaps makes his return as the Human Torch in Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars more likely, though his reprisal of his more-iconic role of Steve Rogers’ Captain America is perhaps less likely.
Chris Evans’ Marvel Movies
Year
Role
Fantastic Four
2005
Johnny Storm’s Human Torch
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
2007
Johnny Storm’s Human Torch
Captain America: The First Avenger
2011
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
The Avengers
2012
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Thor: The Dark World
2013
Loki
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2014
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Avengers: Age of Ultron
2015
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Ant-Man
2015
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Captain America: Civil War
2016
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Spider-Man: Homecoming
2017
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Avengers: Infinity War
2018
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Captain Marvel
2019
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Avengers: Endgame
2019
Steve Rogers’ Captain America
Deadpool & Wolverine
2024
Johnny Storm’s Human Torch
When asked by Entertainment Weekly whether he think it’s the right time to bring Steve Rogers’ Captain America back to the MCU, Chris Evans stated, “no, not really.” Marvel Studios may be breathing a sigh of relief about this, as Variety reported that Robert Downey Jr.’s return is costing the studio “significantly more” than the Russo brothers’ $80 million check for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Evans’ paycheck wouldn’t be far off this, so any return for Steve Rogers or Johnny Storm would likely only be brief, but Chris Evans’ return is still very possible.
