The possibility of seeing Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. reprise their iconic roles as Captain America and Iron Man has been a topic of fervent discussion among fans. The departure of these beloved characters in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame was seen as a definitive end, but recent developments suggest otherwise. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has hinted at the potential return of Evans’ Captain America and Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, leveraging the creative possibilities opened by the MCU’s exploration of multiverse concepts, as showcased in Deadpool & Wolverine.
In a recent interview with DiscussingFilm (who asked about the possible return of Iron Man and Captain America), Kevin Feige discussed how the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in this new film indicates that returning beloved characters can be done thoughtfully, respecting their legacies while introducing them to new narratives.
Feige emphasised the importance of handling such returns with care to preserve the integrity of the characters and their stories. “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,” Feige explained. “So, what’s to come? We’ll see. We’re just proud that we, I think, have figured it out for Wolverine. I think Hugh’s appearance and starring role in [Deadpool & Wolverine] is a great sign that it can be done — if great care is taken.”
The resurrection of these characters isn’t without precedent or possibility, given the MCU’s increasing focus on multiverse storylines, which allow for various narrative flexibilities. Feige’s discussions highlight an ongoing commitment to innovation within the MCU, ensuring that any reintroductions align with the broader narrative arc and respect the characters’ historical impacts.
Jackman’s return as Wolverine, despite his character’s death in 2017’s Logan, was carefully managed to avoid conflicting with the established timeline, thanks to the multiverse’s narrative possibilities. “It’s all because of this device they have in the Marvel world of moving around timelines,” Jackman noted in a SiriusXM interview. “Now we can go back because, you know, it’s science. So, I don’t have to screw with the ‘Logan’ timeline, which was important to me. And I think probably to the fans too.”
The discussion about Downey Jr.’s return is not new. In previous interviews, including one with Vanity Fair, Feige has been cautious about revisiting Iron Man, stressing the importance of respecting the character’s heroic sacrifice in Endgame, “We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again. We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way.”
The prospect of these characters’ return, managed with narrative respect and creative flair, continues to stir excitement and speculation among MCU fans, promising new adventures that honour their beloved heroes while exploring new dimensions of the Marvel universe.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
