The next thrilling chapter of Captain America is almost here.
During this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige dropped a bombshell: the Russo Brothers–Anthony and Joe Russo–are set to direct Avengers: Doomsday (formerly Avengers: The Kang Dynasty) and Avengers: Secret Wars, scheduled for May 2026 and 2027, respectively.
While fans have grown familiar with Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror and his many Variants throughout Phases Four and Five, the shift to Doctor Doom as the MCU’s primary antagonist is raising eyebrows. This new direction leaves fans questioning how Doom’s reign will reshape the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s overarching narrative.
The biggest shock? None other than Robert Downey Jr., the man who gave life to Tony Stark/Iron Man from 2008’s Iron Man through 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, is reportedly stepping back into the MCU—but this time as its newest villain, Victor Von Doom. Fresh off his critically acclaimed turn in Oppenheimer (2023), Downey Jr. is swapping the hero’s armor for Doom’s sinister mask.
The ensemble for Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be nothing short of legendary. In addition to Benedict Cumberbatch reprising his role as Doctor Strange, Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four, will reportedly play a significant role. Another major name set to join Downey Jr. is Chris Evans, making headlines once again for his MCU return.
Evans, who has been synonymous with Steve Rogers/Captain America since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, bid farewell to the role in Avengers: Endgame when Steve passed the shield to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie). Since then, Mackie has embraced the mantle of Captain America in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World (2025).
Recently, Evans caused a stir with his return as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Shawn Levy’s Deadpool & Wolverine, paying homage to his pre-MCU tenure in Fox’s Fantastic Four franchise. Now, according to Deadline, Evans is rumored to appear in Avengers: Doomsday—potentially tying his legacy back to Captain America in a surprising way.
“At this point in time, the role isn’t entirely clear,” Deadline reports, adding, “Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will return as Captain America. However, Evans in the Captain America costume seems less likely. That said, it wouldn’t be a shock if he reprises Steve Rogers.”
Adding fuel to the speculation, insider Jeff Sneider claims Evans might adopt the mantle of Nomad, a rogue identity Steve Rogers took on in Marvel Comics. For those unfamiliar, Nomad represents a version of Rogers disillusioned with the U.S. government, rejecting his role as Captain America to operate as an independent, untethered hero.
If true, this twist would be a compelling addition to the MCU, especially when paired with the themes in Captain America: Brave New World, which promises to explore the often-fraught relationship between superheroes and government authority. Should Evans’ Steve Rogers return as Nomad, his journey could parallel Sam Wilson’s struggles as the new Captain America, creating a powerful exploration of legacy, independence, and heroism in a divided world.
Fans eager for Evans’ return to the MCU are buzzing with excitement over the possibility of him taking on the Nomad mantle. Whether he’s wielding the shield or walking the path of a hero without a country, Evans’ presence in Avengers: Doomsday signals a deeply emotional and pivotal chapter for Steve Rogers—and for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Who Is Nomad in Marvel Comics?
The name Nomad carries a significant legacy in Marvel Comics, symbolizing independence, redemption, and rebellion. First introduced in “Captain America #180” (1974), the mantle emerged during a turbulent storyline in which Steve Rogers, disillusioned with the U.S. government’s corruption, cast aside his Captain America identity.
Operating as a “man without a country,” Nomad donned a new costume and worked as a lone hero before ultimately reclaiming the Captain America mantle, realizing he could better uphold his values with the shield.
Nomad’s legacy continued with Jack Monroe, introduced in “Captain America #282” (1983). A former sidekick, Monroe became a street-level vigilante, grappling with mental health struggles and attempting to live up to Captain America’s shadow. His tragic arc ended with his death at the hands of the Winter Soldier.
Rikki Barnes later took up the mantle from Marvel’s alternate Heroes Reborn universe. Displaced in the main continuity, Rikki redefined Nomad in “Nomad: Girl Without a World” (2009), focusing on community-driven heroism while navigating a world not her own.
Most recently, Ian Rogers, Steve Rogers’ adopted son from Dimension Z, assumed the Nomad identity in Rick Remender’s “Captain America (Vol. 7)”. Ian’s version of Nomad introduced a modern, rebellious take on the role, furthering the mantle’s themes of independence and justice.
Nomad’s legacy is one of reinvention and defiance, with each bearer of the mantle tackling questions of authority and morality in their unique way. Whether Steve Rogers, Jack Monroe, Rikki Barnes, or Ian Rogers, the identity remains a poignant emblem of personal conviction in a complex world.
Would you like to see Chris Evans return as Nomad in the MCU? Let us know in the comments!
