10 MCU Characters Chris Evans Was Born to Play as He Makes His Epic Avengers Return

Published 12/09/2024, 10:42 PM EST

via Imago

Chris Evans is returning, and the MCU is about to get epic. After saying goodbye with his shield in Avengers: Endgame, Evans is set to be back in his role in Avengers: Doomsday with the legendary Robert Downey Jr. as the villainous Doctor Doom. Under the Russo Brothers' direction, people are abuzz about what this reunion means for their favorite heroes. Whether it is the multiverse magic or the MCU tugging on nostalgic strings, the reunion promises epic moments and jaw-dropping battles. 

While rejoicing Evans' return, it is fun to think beyond Captain America —what other MCU characters could he fit perfectly? From villains to new heroes, the choices are endless!

Hyperion

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Chris Evans as Hyperion would be a perfect fit for the MCU. Hyperion, a character with Superman-like abilities, has a rich backstory, including his time as both a villain and a hero. After being recruited by Kang as one of the Squadron Sinister, Hyperion goes on to become a hero himself and, at one point or another, works for the government in the United States before saving the world. This duality of the personality fits well with Evans, as he has proven able to play both heroic heroes and complex, morally unclear characters. 

With his acting background in playing role models as Captain America, he could easily slip into this role, bringing depth, and charisma. Also with the possibility of the Squadron Supreme appearing in future films, Evans' return as a character who evolves from antagonist to hero would provide a fresh and exciting arc for the MCU.

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Mephisto

It would be a massive twist if Chris Evans were to play Mephisto in the MCU, given the trend of reimagining classic heroes as powerful villains. Mephisto is Marvel's version of the Devil and has been teased for a while now, most notably in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Mephisto is known for his diabolical schemes, from manipulating Doctor Doom's family to creating iconic villains like the Green Goblin. 

Evans would bring a captivating edge with his knack for playing heroic yet deeply layered characters. This casting could perfectly link the next big crossover event in the MCU, and might even set up the perfect stage for an epic battle with a villain as iconic as Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

Ares

Chris Evans could be the perfect fit to bring new energy to the MCU with the role of Ares, the god of war. After his iconic run as Captain America, this would be the perfect opportunity for Evans to step into a villainous role, one that's dark and ruthless. Ares, as is depicted in the comics, lives off of chaos and war, and it would thus give Evans a chance to fully be on one side of him that fans have not yet seen. 

He would then be transformed into this helmeted god which would serve as a great separation from the character of Captain America, while still giving the audiences his familiar presence on the screen. With the recent tease of the Greek gods in Thor: Love and Thunder post-credits, introducing Ares could be a natural next step. Imagine Evans tapping into his dramatic range as he battles the likes of Thor and Hercules. 

Fantomex

The comic timing in Chris Evans' performances often gets buried beneath the heroic roles he portrays, but his performances in Not Another Teen Movie and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World show his natural comedic timing. As Captain America, not much of his humor could be showcased, but his cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine showed he can blend comedy with superhero flair so effortlessly.

Playing Fantomex in the MCU might let Evans get back to a lighter role. With his quick wit and the character's bizarre French accent, Fantomex would be a perfect opportunity for Evans to bring in humor into the MCU once again.

Penance

Chris Evans' knack for portraying characters burdened by guilt, like his role as Curtis in Snowpiercer, makes him a natural fit for the troubled hero Speedball, who later transforms into Penance. Coming from the New Warriors, Speedball was a bouncy, optimistic character in his earlier days until some tragic mistake led to this devastating explosion that killed hundreds. Consumed by guilt, he wears a suit full of spikes—each one a reminder of the lives lost—and becomes the new, darker persona of Penance.

With his history of playing characters battling inner turmoil, Evans would shine at bringing this deep emotional struggle to life. The stark contrast between his previous roles as the noble Captain America and the anguished Penance would be a fresh shift. Though the New Warriors TV show was scrapped, introducing them into the MCU could give it the chance to explore this complex, guilt-ridden character.

Cyclops

Chris Evans could be the game-changer for the character of Cyclops in the MCU. Known for playing the heroic Captain America, Evans has the intensity and leadership qualities that would bring Scott Summers to life. Cyclops is the steady, level-headed leader of the X-Men, and experience like action-packed roles by Chris Evans would be just fine. Imagine the dramatic reveal when the visor comes off to unleash those raw kinetic beams. 

This might give Evans another fresh, exciting role while ensuring that Cyclops does not lose out as more attention to him comes within the new X-Men.

Ghost Rider

Nicolas Cage's turn as Ghost Rider in 2007 did not quite hit the mark, making the character ripe for a fresh take in the MCU. His cameo appearance for Deadpool & Wolverine was even talked about but never came to be since Cage did not want to do the role again. Enter Chris Evans whose experience in both action films and character-driven ones makes him a perfect candidate. 

Evans has already shown his knack for riding motorcycles in the MCU, looking cool and calm while on a two-wheeler. He can also dive deep into tortured characters, like Curtis in Snowpiercer, which seals the deal. With his face hidden by the flaming skull for most of the role, the transition from Captain America to Ghost Rider could be seamless, letting Evans fully embrace this darker anti-hero persona.

Norman Osborn

Chris Evans is far from just the iconic Captain America fans know and love; he also has a knack for playing villains. His movies like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Knives Out prove Evans can effortlessly slip into charmingly arrogant roles. His portrayal of Lucas Lee in Scott Pilgrim and the sharp, devious Ransom Drysdale in Knives Out shows how well he can bring complex, less-than-lovable characters to life. With this range, Evans could be the perfect choice to bring Norman Osborn to the MCU. 

The role of Osborn, one of Marvel’s most notorious villains, could allow Evans to dive deep into a dark, explosive persona.  His transformation from hero to villain might just be what the MCU needs to continue evolving, especially now that familiar faces like Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom are about to crossover.

Nova

Chris Evans could be the perfect fit for the role of Nova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His hotheaded, rebellious energy as Johnny Storm in the Fantastic Four films gives him the fiery spirit that mirrors Richard Rider's Nova. Just like Hal Jordan in DC's Green Lantern, Nova is a cosmic force with a bold personality—traits Evans has nailed before. 

Finally, the helmet will make his entry into the superhero scene seamless and easy by not causing any confusion among his fans, who may just know him as Captain America.

Quasar

Chris Evans could be the perfect fit to play Quasar, the cosmic hero with a great sense of morals similar to Captain America. Quasar, by Wendell Vaughn, was initially dismissed by his superiors for lacking the “killer instinct.” However, his kindness and unshakable values made him the perfect protector of the Quantum Bands, with powerful artifacts that allowed him to protect the universe. Evans’ portrayal of Captain America, rooted in compassion and principles, would perfectly complement Quasar's character.  

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With the introduction of Quantum Bands in The Marvels, it stands to reason that Quasar is already a natural fit into the MCU. As the universe expands and expands further, Evans stepping into this role might just bring the right amount of depth and emotional weight to the character. 

Chris Evans’ unmatched charm has made him a fan favorite. His career is filled with characters that exactly fit his strengths, be it action-packed heroes or characters with depth and heart. With MCU's dream team reuniting as Chris Evans makes his return for ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ alongside Robert Downey Jr, fans are eagerly waiting for his next big role on screen! 

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Which MCU role do you think suits Chris Evans best?  Let us know in the comments below!

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Akshaya Deeksha

43 articles

Akshaya Deeksha is an Entertainment Writer at NetflixJunkie. With her passion to explore the evolving world of entertainment and her journalistic sense, she specializes in cinematic storytelling and Hollywood developments. Her expertise in lifestyle writing allows her to connect with readers through relatable content.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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