Chris Evans' Captain America Replaced in MCU Moving Forward, New Character Reported

The next chapter of Captain America is upon us.

At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige revealed that Anthony Russo and Joe Russo, AKA the Russo Brothers, would return to direct Avengers: Doomsday (formerly Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars, slated for release in May 2026 and 2027, respectively.

The shift from Kang the Conqueror to Doctor Doom will be interesting, considering how much air time Jonathan Majors’ Kang (and his associated Variants) had during Phase Four and Phase Five. This shift has left fans questioning how the new direction impacts the MCU’s overarching narrative.

The biggest surprise came when it was revealed who would bring Victor Von Doom to life: Robert Downey Jr. The Oppenheimer (2023) star, beloved for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man from 2008’s Iron Man through 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, is coming back into the MCU—except this time, as its newest villain.

Multiple names have now been reported and confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday. From Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr. Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange to Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four, Doomsday is set to feature a cast on an epic scale. Another big legacy name joining Downey Jr. will be Chris Evans.

Evans, known for his tenure as Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, has been a staple of the MCU since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. In the last moments of Endgame, Steve Rogers handed his shield over to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who eventually became the franchise’s new Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Evans recently made headlines for reprising his role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine, a nostalgic nod to his time in the 20th Century Fox Fantastic Four films. Now, sources from Deadline suggest his upcoming appearance in Avengers: Doomsday may once again intertwine his legacy with Captain America.

“At this point in time, the role isn’t entirely clear, but sources say Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson character will also return as Captain America,” the report notes. However, the outlet adds, “Evans in the Captain America costume seems less likely. However, it wouldn’t be a shock if he reprises Steve Rogers.”

Adding fuel to the speculation, entertainment insider Jeff Sneider has revealed a major twist—Evans is rumored to take on the mantle of Nomad, an alternate identity Steve Rogers adopts in the comics.

For the uninitiated, Nomad emerged during a pivotal storyline in which Rogers, disillusioned with the United States government, abandoned his role as Captain America to operate as a rogue hero, unbound by the constraints of national allegiance.

This potential development is especially compelling when viewed alongside Captain America: Brave New World (2025), which promises to delve into the complex relationship between superheroes and government authority.

If Sneider’s claims are true, Evans’ Nomad could perfectly complement the political undertones of Sam Wilson’s journey as the new Captain America, creating a dynamic exploration of legacy, identity, and heroism in a fractured world.

For fans eager to see Chris Evans return to the MCU, this possible casting as Nomad represents both a fresh direction and a profound nod to his character’s roots. Whether he’s taking up the shield or walking the lonely road of a hero without a country, Evans’ involvement in Avengers: Doomsday signals another unforgettable chapter for Steve Rogers—and the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole.

Who Is Nomad in the Marvel Comics?

The name Nomad holds a special place in the Marvel Comics universe, symbolizing a hero unbound by allegiance to any one nation or cause and a recurring theme of personal redemption. First introduced in “Captain America #180” (1974), the identity was born out of Steve Rogers’ disillusionment with the U.S. government during the infamous Secret Empire storyline.

Discarding the mantle of Captain America, Rogers became Nomad, a “man without a country. ” He adopted a new costume and temporarily rejected his role as a symbol of American ideals. However, he eventually returned to being Captain America, realizing he could better serve his values by reclaiming the shield.

The Nomad legacy was later taken up by Jack Monroe, a former sidekick known as the 1950s Bucky. In “Captain America #282” (1983), Monroe donned the Nomad mantle and embarked on a journey as a street-level vigilante, tackling smaller, grittier threats across America.

His tenure explored themes of mental instability, redemption, and the often-overlooked struggles of heroes who live in Captain America’s shadow. Tragically, Monroe’s path ended in darkness as he succumbed to his personal demons and was ultimately killed by the Winter Soldier.

The mantle saw new life with Rikki Barnes, a character from Marvel’s alternate Heroes Reborn universe. Crossing into the mainstream continuity, Rikki embraced the Nomad identity in “Nomad: Girl Without a World” (2009).

As a young heroine displaced from her home dimension, Rikki embodied the idea of fighting for hope and justice, often operating as a beacon for the next generation of heroes. Her adventures focused on community-centered heroism and the challenges of belonging in a world that wasn’t truly hers.

Most recently, the title passed to Ian Rogers, the adopted son of Steve Rogers and a product of Dimension Z, introduced in Rick Remender’s “Captain America (Vol. 7)”. Ian adopted the Nomad identity to fight alongside his father, bringing a fresh perspective to the role.

His journey as Nomad continues to carry the legacy of questioning authority and championing justice, blending the ideals of the past with a bold, modern approach.

Ultimately, Nomad remains a poignant and ever-evolving symbol in Marvel’s history. Whether it’s Steve Rogers rejecting institutional corruption, Jack Monroe seeking personal redemption, Rikki Barnes navigating a world not her own, or Ian Rogers redefining heroism, the mantle consistently represents the struggle to fight for one’s beliefs while navigating a complex, often flawed world.

How do you feel about Chris Evans potentially coming back to the MCU as Nomad? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!