The Marvel Cinematic Universe, once an undisputed cinematic titan, has undoubtedly encountered some turbulence in recent times. While its status as the world’s leading film franchise remains unchallenged, there’s a growing sentiment that its soaring heights might be a thing of the past. However, the upcoming release of Deadpool & Wolverine could potentially inject new life into the franchise. There have been persistent rumors that Marvel Studios might consider reviving characters who have been previously killed off, such as Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America. Kevin Feige, in an interview with Discussing Film, hinted at the idea of bringing back these iconic characters in future Marvel movies but there’s one condition.
Kevin Feige On Bringing Back Iron Man And Captain America In The MCU
Marvel Studios head honcho, Kevin Feige, has stirred up excitement among fans by hinting at the potential return of beloved characters like Iron Man and Captain America. This comes after the successful reintroduction of Wolverine into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with Hugh Jackman’s reprise of the iconic role.
Feige has expressed optimism about bringing back other legacy characters but emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of their original storylines. He noted the challenge lies in maintaining continuity and quality, saying, “That’s the key, right? How do you do it in a way that maintains what has come before, and in a great way? And we’ve been spending, you know, the last two-plus years figuring that out for Wolverine. So, what’s to come? We’ll see.”
In an interview with Discussing Film, Feige expressed pride in the achievement of reviving Wolverine for Deadpool & Wolverine. He mentioned that similar feats could be possible with other characters, provided meticulous attention is given to the process. Feige highlighted their success by stating, “We’re just proud that we, I think, have figured it out for Wolverine. I think Hugh’s appearance and starring role in [Deadpool & Wolverine] is a great sign that it can be done — if great care is taken.”
The concept of the Marvel multiverse now opens up endless possibilities, yet the return of Iron Man and Captain America remains contentious. Given their perfect send-offs in the MCU, there are fans who prefer their stories remain untouched, fearing that any revival might dilute their narrative impact.
What Did Robert Downey Jr. And Chris Evans Say About Coming Back To MCU?
It has always been a green signal from Robert Downey Jr.’s side. In an exclusive Esquire interview, Downey expressed his willingness to reprise his iconic role as Tony Stark. Reflecting on his deep connection to the character, Downey remarked that the role was “too integral a part of my DNA.”
Fresh from his Oscar win for his role as Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, Downey discussed the possibility of rejoining the MCU. When questioned about a potential return, he confidently responded, “Happily. That role chose me.” He also praised Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, comparing him to a casino. “Never, ever bet against Kevin Feige. It is a losing bet. He’s the house. He will always win,” he emphasized.
In contrast, Chris Evans, known for his portrayal of Captain America, has shown a preference for returning as the Human Torch, a character he played in the Fantastic Four movies prior to the MCU’s inception. During a 2022 MTV interview, Evans stated, “That would actually be an easier sell to me than coming back as Cap. Cap is so precious to me. And you know, I almost don’t wanna disrupt what a beautiful experience that was. But Johnny Storm, I feel like he didn’t really get his day.“
Although Marvel is developing a new Fantastic Four movie featuring Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, the possibility of Evans returning within the multiverse remains open.
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Regarding Captain America, Evans mentioned in a September 2023 GQ interview that a return is not imminent. “I’ll never say never, just because it was such a wonderful experience. But I’m also very precious with it. It’s something that I am very proud of,” Evans shared. He added, “I wouldn’t want the black eye if it felt like a cash grab or if it didn’t live up to expectations or if it just felt like it wasn’t connected to that original thing. So, no time soon.”
Evans also addressed fans at C2E2, (Via Movieweb) expressing his love for the role but acknowledging the timing wasn’t right. “It’s tough, because look, I love that role deeply, and it doesn’t quite feel right right now,” he said.
It may be recalled that Downey Jr and Evans exited the franchise after the global blockbuster Avengers: Endgame. Bringing all the OG Avengers characters to Avengers: Secret Wars will definitely be a task for Feige to fit them in the multiversal.
