Though many are lamenting that Wolverine’s perfect ending in Logan has been undermined by Deadpool & Wolverine, the movie also jeopardized another notable MCU legacy, from an even more important movie. Deadpool & Wolverine saw Hugh Jackman return to the screen as Wolverine after bidding farewell to the role years prior. The subsequent announcement that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU timeline to portray Doctor Doom has suggested that another character’s perfect goodbye might be undone in the MCU’s future.

Deadpool & Wolverine featured a swathe of cameos from the early years of Marvel movies. Many of these were primarily thrilling fan service, bringing back forgotten characters and displaying many in comic-accurate guises for the first time. Following news that Robert Downey Jr. will play the MCU’s Doctor Doom, one of these cameos has been reconsidered, and risks ruining another legendary Avenger’s poignant conclusion.

Chris Evans’ Deadpool & Wolverine Return Cheapens His Avengers: Endgame Ending

Evans’ Captain America Retired In Avengers: Endgame

Chris Evans as a Bruised and Bloodied Captain America Wearing His Helmet in Avengers Endgame

Chris Evans’ cameo appearance as the Human Torch in 2024’s Deadpool & Wolverine was both satisfying and concerning. Having hung up his shield as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame, Evans returned to the MCU to reprise his role as Johnny Storm from Fox’s Fantastic Four (2005). While thrilling, this does undermine his perfect MCU ending somewhat, in which Steve Rogers chooses to remain in the past and live out his life with Peggy Carter. This poignant ending allowed him to experience the happiness he had long been denied and was the ideal way to end Evans’ tenure.

Chris Evans’ cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine played on the expectation that Evans would reprise his role as Captain America. This subversion of expectations certainly made for a great reveal, but it also undermined the emotional weight of his Endgame farewell. By reintroducing Evans in a different Marvel role, the MCU risks diluting the significance of his departure as Steve Rogers, cheapening the impact of his character’s perfect ending.

Evans’ and Robert Downey Jr.’s departure in Endgame were significant moments that seemingly signaled the end of an era within the MCU, drawing a dividing line between The Infinity Saga’s character line-up and The Multiverse Saga’s. However, following Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Dr. Doom, Evans’ cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine is being reconsidered as a possible indicator that Evans could also return. Regardless, it opened the door to questions about the permanence of character endings in the MCU.

Why No Marvel Character Endings Are Safe In The MCU

“No One Stays Dead Except Uncle Ben”

Cliff Robertson as Uncle Ben speaking to Peter in his car in Spider-Man Death is never a permanent phenomenon in Marvel Comics, with many famous examples of characters dying and returning, often even more than once. This has led to the phrase, “no one stays dead except Uncle Ben,” referencing Peter Parker’s uncle, whose death propels him to become Spider-Man. Unless intrinsic to a character’s origin story, death in Marvel Comics is normally temporary.

This is increasingly evident in the MCU, where character deaths and resurrections are becoming more commonplace. Avengers: Infinity War saw half the universe be wiped out, only to return in Avengers: Endgame. Meanwhile, other deceased MCU characters have appeared at earlier stages in the MCU timeline. This has all been complicated much further since the Multiverse was introduced.

With alternate realities and timelines, the potential for character comebacks is virtually limitless. This opens up exciting possibilities but also poses a significant risk: the erosion of narrative stakes. If any character can return at any time, the emotional impact of their departure is diminished. This has been a frequent criticism of Robert Downey Jr.’s MCU return.

RDJ’s Doctor Doom Return Will Be The Ultimate Test

RDJ Has Been Cast As The MCU’s Doctor Doom

Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man snapping the Infinity Gauntlet in Avengers: Endgame

Robert Downey Jr. was the face of the MCU as Iron Man, and his death in Avengers: Endgame was arguably the most significant moment in the franchise’s history. Tony Stark’s sacrifice brought his character arc full circle, providing a powerful and emotional resolution that resonated deeply with audiences. Bringing Downey back as Doctor Doom, or any other character, would be the ultimate test of the MCU’s ability to navigate the complexities of character continuity and fan expectations.

The MCU will need to reintroduce Downey as Doctor Doom without undermining Tony Stark’s heroic sacrifice in Endgame. While it’s unclear what relationship the MCU’s Doom will have with RDJ’s Tony Stark, the resemblance will presumably need to be addressed. How successfully the MCU does this will likely decide on further reintroductions.

If successful, it will demonstrate a sufficient handling of character legacy and narrative innovation. If it fails to resonate or feels forced, the MCU may make another change in direction. Regardless, Downey’s casting as Doom and the return of Jackman and Evans in Deadpool & Wolverine does suggest that death isn’t the end in the MCU.

Evans’ and Robert Downey Jr.’s departure in Endgame were significant moments that seemingly signaled the end of an era within the MCU, drawing a dividing line between The Infinity Saga’s character line-up and The Multiverse Saga’s. However, following Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Dr. Doom, Evans’ cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine is being reconsidered as a possible indicator that Evans could also return. Regardless, it opened the door to questions about the permanence of character endings in the MCU.