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The mass speculation about Avengers: Doomsday is wildly high. Since the announced the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, we’ve been asking what other former Marvel actors could be returning to the MCU. Chris Evans already dipped his toe into returning once, but reports have circulated widely that he’ll be showing up as Captain America (or a variant) in Avengers: Doctor Doom, but the actor has spoken to squash those rumors.

In the runup to Captain America: Brave New World, Anthony Mackie was inevitably asked about the return of Chris Evans to the MCU. “I don’t know!” he said. “I talked to Chris a few weeks ago and it wasn’t on the table then. At least, he didn’t tell me it was on the table, because I asked him. I was like ‘You know they’re bringing everyone back for the movie. Are you coming back?’ And he goes, ‘Oh, you know, I’m happily retired.’”

Evans was also quick to dismiss the reports that he had returned to the Avengers: Doomsday set. “That’s not true,” Evans said. “This always happens. I mean, it happens every couple years – ever since Endgame. I’ve just stopped responding to it.” He then confirms what Mackie said, saying that he is “happily retired.”

Of course, it is worth mentioning that Chris Evans and Anthony Mackie would have to say this, with the draconian NDAs that Marvel likely puts them under to keep anyone from spilling secrets about upcoming movies. Especially ones as big as Doomsday and its follow-up, Secret Wars. Even if Chris Evans is back in the MCU, he wouldn’t be able to tell us. However, the blatant denial of his role in Avengers: Doomsday does mean that maybe we should temper our expectations a little bit.

Consider this a meta post-credits scene for Marvel fans - the four key articles you need to read next to continue the thrills:

• How to watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe in release or chronological order
• The best Marvel Comics stories of all time
• All the MCU movies ranked from best to worst
• Our weekly Marvel insider's column, Marvel Matters