It’s no secret the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been actively undoing some of its most perfect endings. As a result, it does have me concerned about one hero’s legacy in particular.
For years, the MCU built its reputation on long-form storytelling with real consequences. The end of the Infinity Saga with 2019’s Avengers: Endgame provided some definitive conclusions, with both Iron Man and Captain America specifically receiving some of the best hero endings of all time. However, Marvel’s now preparing to open doors previously thought to have been closed for good.
Marvel Studios Has Been Actively Undoing Some Of The Most Perfect Endings
While it was technically came from 20th Century Fox, few Marvel superhero endings landed harder than Wolverine’s ultimate fate in 2017’s Logan.
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine died old and broken but incredibly redeemed by Logan’s end, closing a 17-year arc and major legacy with dignity, making a return to role seemingly unthinkable. However, Hugh Jackman did return as an all-new version of the character in the MCU’s Deadpool & Wolverine, proving that Marvel is willing to revisit (and quite literally unbury) even the most sacred of superhero endings.
Similarly, Iron Man’s sacrifice at the end of Avengers: Endgame once felt similarly untouchable. Now, 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday is set to bring back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, with widely held expectations that there will be some connection to Tony Stark despite RDJ playing the iconic Marvel villain.
Most recently, the very first teaser for Doomsday confirmed that Chris Evans’ Steve Rogers will be returning, despite arguably having one of the most perfect hero endings in the main MCU timeline.
Rather than sacrificing himself, Rogers chose to return to his own time after returning all the Infinity Stones, getting to have a rare happy ending with Peggy Carter before eventually giving up the shield and mantle to Sam Wilson in his old age.
And yet, Marvel Studios keeps reopening closed chapters in the Multiverse Saga, clearly wanting to bank on the nostalgia and star power that is Steve Rogers and his legacy as the first Captain America.
On the one hand, Jackman’s return certainly paid off, giving audiences new sides of Wolverine we’d never seen in 24 years, despite Logan’s ending (alongside elements fans had been begging to see for decades). However, the decision to undo some of the most perfect superhero endings of all time undeniably comes with some great risk.
I’m Desperately Hoping Steve Rogers’ Avengers: Doomsday Return Will Be Worth It
In all honesty, Steve Rogers’ return in Avengers: Doomsday worries the most.
As seen in the new teaser, the former Captain America now has a child, suggesting that the desire to keep his family safe will be the very thing that brings him back into the fold with the Avengers in the present-day MCU. That said, the entire thing feels extremely risky, as mishandling the return could result in Rogers’ entire legacy being tainted.
The silver lining is who’s handling Rogers’ return. With the Russo Brothers directing both Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, there’s some confidence to be had, as Captain America has always been treated incredibly well in their hands. After all, they arguably understand Rogers better than any other MCU hero, having been in charge of his legacy since Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Steve Rogers’ return has to matter and needs to be worth it beyond nostalgia and a multiversal gimmick. Marvel Studios has the prerogative to undo endings, though the hope is that the trade-off will be something equally meaningful for these beloved heroes.
Avengers: Doomsday is set to release on December 18th, 2026 from Marvel Studios.
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December 18, 2026
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Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
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Johnny Storm / Human Torch
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Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
