Marvel boss Kevin Feige says 'Deadpool & Wolverine' proves it's possible to bring back former stars Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. Here's what the actors have said.

Fans are constantly speculating about Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here's what the actors and Kevin Feige have said.

• Marvel boss Kevin Feige appeared to open the door for Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the MCU.
• Feige told DiscussingFilm that "Deadpool & Wolverine" shows it can be done "if great care is taken."
• Here's what the actors have said about returning to the superhero franchise that made them global stars.

Marvel boss Kevin Feige said Hugh Jackman's return as Wolverine in "Deadpool & Wolverine" shows that it is possible to bring back legacy stars "if great care is taken."

Since the release of "Avengers Endgame," where Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) died and Captain America (Chris Evans) retired, fans have been speculating whether either character will return in a future film.

In Marvel comics, which the hit superhero franchise is based on, heroes die and are revived constantly, but Marvel Studios has taken a more permanent approach to death.

This changes with Marvel's latest movie, "Deadpool & Wolverine," the first "Deadpool" movie in Disney's wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Though Jackman's Wolverine was killed in "Logan," the actor returns as the character in the new movie due to multiversal shenanigans (it's a Wolverine from a different universe).

This move seems to open the door for other previously killed characters to return.

Feige told DiscussingFilm on Tuesday that if they brought back Downey Jr. and Evans, they would have to handle the move carefully.

"That's the key, right? How do you do it in a way that maintains what has come before, and in a great way? And we've been spending, you know, the last two-plus years figuring that out for Wolverine," Feige said. "We're just proud that we, I think, have figured it out for Wolverine. I think Hugh's appearance and starring role in ['Deadpool & Wolverine'] is a great sign that it can be done — if great care is taken."

If pulled off correctly, the return could be a great move for Marvel, Downey Jr., and Evans. Both actors became global superstars as the Marvel Cinematic Universe grew more popular in the 2010s and made millions from the films.

Plus Marvel has struggled to retain its audience after their departure. A cameo from Downey Jr. or Evans could help bring back audiences to the cinemas.

Here's what the actors and Feige have said about Captain America and Iron Man returning.

Feige and the Russo brothers previously ruled out Iron Man's return

In December 2023, Feige told Vanity Fair that Marvel didn't want to cheapen Iron Man's sacrificial death by resurrecting him.

"We are going to keep that moment and not touch that moment again. We all worked very hard for many years to get to that, and we would never want to magically undo it in any way," Feige said.

The Russo brothers, who directed "Avengers Endgame," were also unsure if it was possible to bring back Iron Man when speaking to GamesRadar+ in April at the Sands: International Film Festival in St Andrews, Scotland.

"I don't know how they would do it. I don't know what the road to that would be," Anthony Russo said.

"I mean we closed that book so it would be up to them to figure out how to reopen it," Joe Russo added.

Downey Jr. is just waiting for a call to return as Iron Man

Initially, Downey Jr. was also not keen to return as Iron Man.

In 2020, he told "The Joe Rogan Experience" that he wanted to pursue other projects and he needed a "super compelling argument" to return.

But after winning his first Oscar for "Oppenheimer," Downey Jr. seems more open to reprising the role.

He told Esquire in April: "It's too integral a part of my DNA. That role chose me. And look, I always say, never, ever bet against Kevin Feige. It is a losing bet. He's the house. He will always win."

Evans is less sure about returning as Captain America

Evans told MTV in 2022 that he would rather return as another Marvel hero he's played before, the Human Torch. Evans played the character in the "Fantastic Four" movies, which were made before the MCU started.

"That would actually be an easier sell to me than coming back as Cap," Evans said. "Cap is so precious to me. And you know, I almost don't wanna disrupt what a beautiful experience that was. But Johnny Storm, I feel like he didn't really get his day."

Marvel is currently making a "Fantastic Four" movie with "Strangers Things" star Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, but Evans could still return within the multiverse.

As for Captain America, Evans told GQ in September 2023 that it won't happen anytime soon.

"I'll never say never, just because it was such a wonderful experience. But I'm also very precious with it. It's something that I am very proud of," Evans said. "And I wouldn't want the black eye if it felt like a cash grab or if it didn't live up to expectations or if it just felt like it wasn't connected to that original thing. So, no time soon."

Evans also seemed to suggest to GQ that he was toying with idea of retiring.

"And ultimately I really hope to just maybe act a little bit less in my life," Evans said. "I have no Oscars and I'm not lumped with other names that are at the top of the mountain in any way. But I also feel very satisfied."

Evans has also supported the new Captain America, played by Anthony Mackie.

Mackie played the sidekick of Evans' Captain America in previous films but took on the mantle at the end of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier" limited Disney+ series.