Chris Evans is set to match Samuel L. Jackson’s long-standing achievement, as his confirmed casting in Avengers: Doomsday will mark his 15th outing in the Marvel cinematic universe. This milestone puts the Chris Evans Marvel appearance record at the very top, a testament to his enduring presence and impact across film and television adaptations of Marvel stories.
Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson Reach a Shared Marvel Milestone
Marvel Studios have officially announced that Chris Evans will be reprising his role in Avengers: Doomsday, following months of speculation since early reports in December 2024 suggested his return. The confirmation was delivered with the debut of the film’s first trailer—initially shown exclusively in theaters prior to Avatar: Fire and Ash and then released online on December 23—signaling Evans’s remarkable journey through the Marvel universe isn’t over.
By making his return in Avengers: Doomsday, Evans will complete his 15th appearance in Marvel-related movies and TV shows, a figure that brings him level with Samuel L. Jackson, who has portrayed Nick Fury across both big screen blockbusters and television series for Marvel Studios. Jackson’s run began with 2008’s Iron Man, a role that anchored him as the face of SHIELD and saw him involved in key events that shaped the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Jackson’s credits across the MCU include appearances in pivotal films such as Iron Man, The Avengers, Captain Marvel, and television hits like ABC’s Agents of SHIELD and the Disney+ miniseries Secret Invasion. His tally of 15 roles demonstrates the vast web of stories Marvel has woven through the years, with both Jackson and Evans serving as anchors for longtime fans.
The complete list of Jackson’s MCU credits includes: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Agents of SHIELD, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, Spider-Man: Far From Home, What If…?, Secret Invasion, and The Marvels.
Breakdown of Chris Evans’ 15 Marvel Roles
Chris Evans’s Marvel legacy began nearly two decades ago and spans diverse characters, collaborations, and unforgettable moments. From his debut as the fiery Johnny Storm to his iconic transformation into Steve Rogers, Evans has been a central figure anchoring some of Marvel’s biggest cinematic achievements. Below is a comprehensive overview of each of his 15 appearances that form the foundation of the Chris Evans Marvel appearance record.
Early Marvel Days: Portraying the Human Torch
Evans’s first Marvel role came as Johnny Storm, the quick-witted and fearless Human Torch, in 2005’s Fantastic Four. Starring alongside Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards, Jessica Alba as Sue Storm, Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm, and Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom, Evans’s character emerged from a fateful accident aboard a space station. The cosmic rays gave Johnny and his fellow astronauts superhuman abilities, forcing him to quickly adapt to his newfound powers and sense of public responsibility. Facing the looming threat of Doctor Doom, Johnny matured alongside his team, learning what it meant to be a true hero.
The sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), saw Evans and the core cast return for more interstellar challenges. The Silver Surfer, voiced by Laurence Fishburne, crashes Reed Richards and Sue Storm’s wedding, prompting Johnny Storm to confront new powers—and dangers. His contact with the Surfer leads to temporary ability-swaps with his teammates, placing him at the heart of another battle to save his family and planet from Galactus.
The Birth of Captain America in the MCU
In 2011, Evans redefined his Marvel career by taking on Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger. Sharing the screen with Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter, Hugo Weaving as Red Skull, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, and Tommy Lee Jones as Chester Phillips, Evans depicted Rogers’s transformation from a frail but brave volunteer into the super-soldier Captain America. The storyline propelled Rogers from the battlefields of World War II to a symbol of hope against the Nazis and the sinister Hydra organization, culminating in self-sacrifice and legend status for the character.
Following this pivotal entry, Evans’s Steve Rogers would become a central force in the MCU’s evolution, guiding new heroes and facing moral challenges that defined the modern era of superhero cinema.
Joining Forces: The Avengers and Beyond
2012’s The Avengers brought Evans together with Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark/Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury). As the MCU’s first major ensemble film, The Avengers established Captain America as the in-battle team leader, uniting Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to thwart Loki and the invading Chitauri army. The film’s storyline, driven by the battle for control of the Tesseract, set the tone for future Marvel ensemble projects.
Evans also cameoed as Captain America in Thor: The Dark World (2013). Though his appearance was brief—lasting about 15 seconds—it remains memorable as Tom Hiddleston’s Loki used his magic to imitate Rogers, poking fun at the icon’s “truth, honor, [and] patriotism.” — Tom Hiddleston, Loki. This comic moment provided a rare instance of self-aware humor within the grandeur of the MCU.
Solo Sequels and Expanding the Marvel Universe
In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Evans continued to shape his character, joined once again by Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, and Samuel L. Jackson, while introducing Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon), Robert Redford (Alexander Pierce), and Emily VanCamp (Sharon Carter). The film depicted a dangerous conspiracy as Hydra’s secret infiltration of SHIELD forced Rogers into hiding. Together with Natasha Romanoff and Sam Wilson, Rogers exposed betrayals while reconciling with Bucky Barnes, now transformed into the Winter Soldier.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) marked Evans’s return as the steadfast leader, confronting new internal threats as well as the villainous AI, Ultron, performed by James Spader. Joined by Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Pietro Maximoff), and Paul Bettany (Vision), Rogers and the Avengers faced visions of regret, intense team disputes, and a world-ending threat as Sokovia was nearly destroyed.
Evans made a short but notable post-credits appearance in Ant-Man (2015), sharing the screen with Paul Rudd (Scott Lang/Ant-Man), Evangeline Lilly (Hope Van Dyne), and Michael Douglas (Hank Pym). The scene set the stage for later conflicts, as Captain America joined with Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes in the aftermath of a major bombing, alluding to upcoming alliances.
Civil Strife and Broadening the MCU
Captain America: Civil War (2016) saw a convergence of superheroes, with Evans and Robert Downey Jr. clashing as Steve Rogers and Tony Stark led opposing factions over the contentious Sokovia Accords. Introducing Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther and Tom Holland as Spider-Man, the film forced old friends into conflict over matters of duty, family, and loyalty, permanently shifting the power structures within the Avengers.
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) offered Evans another lighthearted return as Captain America. Though limited in screentime, Rogers featured in comedic educational videos at Midtown Tech, including a memorable post-credits moment where he humorously lectured viewers about patience—infusing the franchise with charm and relatability.
High Stakes: The Fight Against Thanos
Chris Evans reprised his role in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), a film centered on Josh Brolin’s menacing Thanos. Despite less screentime, Evans’s Rogers played a key role in leading fugitive Avengers and attempting to defend Wakanda. The battles here deepened allegiances and highlighted the gravity of the threat facing the MCU’s universe, raising the stakes for existing heroes and those newly introduced.
Evans made another strategically placed post-credit scene in Captain Marvel (2019), interacting with Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers, Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury, Jude Law’s Yon-Rogg, and Lashana Lynch’s Maria Rambeau. As Captain Marvel responded to Nick Fury’s transmission, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner, and James Rhodes worked to restart the beeper that would signal Carol to return, with Rogers somberly remarking, “This is a nightmare.” — Steve Rogers, Captain America. This interconnected moment bridged the stories of Infinity War’s aftermath and Captain Marvel’s anticipated arrival.
The Infinity Saga Finale and New Beginnings
2019’s Avengers: Endgame brought Chris Evans his most significant and emotional role within the MCU. Teaming with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Evans’s Steve Rogers led the charge to reverse Thanos’s genocidal snap. The film, still ranked as the second-highest-grossing movie ever, drew on themes of sacrifice, time travel, and enduring hope. Rogers’s journey took him from organizing the “Time Heist” in 2012’s Battle of New York and 1970’s Camp Lehigh to his final face-off with Thanos, joined by countless Marvel heroes in an epic culmination of more than a decade of storytelling.
Further Surprises: Deadpool & Wolverine and the Upcoming Avengers: Doomsday
In 2024, Evans stunned fans by secretly appearing as Johnny Storm in Deadpool & Wolverine. Led by Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman’s James Howlett, the film assembled a wild cast including Emma Corrin (Cassandra Nova), Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Paradox), Jennifer Garner (Elektra), Wesley Snipes (Blade), and Channing Tatum (Gambit). Evans’s Johnny Storm encounters Deadpool and Wolverine in The Void, faces off against Aaron Stanford’s Pyro, and ultimately meets a tragic end after a series of bold and abrasive comments about Cassandra.
Soon, Evans is set to return in Avengers: Doomsday, alongside a record number of 27 stars including Robert Downey Jr. (this time as Doctor Doom). In this 2026 sequel, Evans’s 15th Marvel role will likely see his character move beyond Captain America, possibly adopting the Nomad identity as hinted in trailers. The footage reveals Steve Rogers cradling a baby, with Peggy Carter by his side, confirming that parenthood will be part of his evolving narrative. As anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday grows, both casual fans and longtime enthusiasts are eager to see how this transformation shapes Rogers’s journey.
Streaming and Release Details for Marvel’s Dedicated Fans
With Chris Evans’s 15th Marvel appearance on the horizon, fans can currently access all 14 of his prior performances through Disney+, ensuring every major chapter in his journey remains viewable. The upcoming release of Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled for December 18, 2026, promising another dramatic turn for Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, and the sprawling MCU ensemble.
Legacy and Influence in the Expansive Marvel Universe
The Chris Evans Marvel appearance record now serves as a powerful symbol of dedication to both the MCU and its global fanbase. The presence of actors like Samuel L. Jackson and Evans, whose portrayals have spanned nearly two decades, underscores the lasting appeal and emotional resonance of these characters. Their ability to evolve through shifting genres, storylines, and team-ups demonstrates how the MCU has built an interconnected universe that rewards loyal viewers and attracts new generations of fans.
As new actors and storylines continue to enter the Marvel landscape, the legacies left by Evans and Jackson provide a benchmark for consistency and excellence. Industry observers and fans alike are curious to see how future projects, including the theatrical re-release of Avengers: Endgame and the arrival of Avengers: Doomsday, will further expand the boundaries of Marvel’s cinematic storytelling.
With anticipation for Evans’s return running high, his continued involvement promises new emotional arcs, surprising character evolutions, and the chance for another record-breaking moment within the world of superheroes. The dedication shown by Evans and Jackson reinforces the Marvel Studios ethos—balancing nostalgia, innovation, and relentless commitment to creating stories that resonate around the world.
