When the Marvel Cinematic Universe calls, Captain America is the name that instantly comes to mind with Chris Evans, not Johnny Storm. The kind-hearted, just, and fiercely strong Steve Rogers remains one of the actor’s most iconic roles, if not his most iconic. Fans thought Evans had hung up the shield for good, but Avengers: Doomsday surprised them with his return. This makes the actor's previous wish of returning as the Human Torch, Johnny Storm, rather than Captain America.

Although Johnny Storm never became as synonymous with Chris Evans as Captain America, the actor had revealed that he would have preferred returning as the Fantastic Four’s fiery Human Torch.

Chris Evans may be back as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Doomsday, but an old interview reveals that returning as Captain America was never his preferred option. Four years ago, the actor spoke to MTV host Josh Horowitz about rumors of a multiversal comeback as Johnny Storm. Evans admitted that the Human Torch held a special place in his heart, even if the star-spangled Avenger remained his most defining Marvel role.

“That would actually be an easier sell to me than coming back as Cap, you know what I mean?” he said.

The comment came during a conversation with Josh Horowitz, who asked whether Marvel had approached Evans about returning as Johnny Storm. The actor explained that Captain America was too precious to him to risk disrupting the experience he had enjoyed playing Steve Rogers. Having completed such a meaningful journey, Evans was understandably protective of the legacy he had left behind.

Johnny Storm, however, was a different story. Evans told Josh Horowitz that he felt the Human Torch never truly got his moment because the Fantastic Four films arrived before Marvel found its footing. He expressed affection for the role and left the door open to reprising it someday. Now that Evans has returned as Captain America after finding a compelling story pitch, after previously declining over a dozen separate pitches from Marvel over eight years, his earlier comments offer a fascinating glimpse into his latest Marvel comeback.

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Between the old interview and Anthony Mackie teasing fun on set, Evans clearly found a reason to pick up the shield again. But if the return was a tougher sell, Steve Rogers might have an equally tough road ahead.

Chris Evans has spent years proving that Steve Rogers can take a beating and still stand tall, but Avengers: Doomsday might push the star-spangled Avenger beyond anything he has faced before. During a Fan Expo Boston Q&A, Evans discussed how directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo measure a hero by how many times he gets knocked down and manages to rise again. This time, however, the actor described his character’s journey as “truly brutal.”

That description suggests Steve Rogers will face more than another world-ending battle, with the Russos seemingly preparing a punishing ordeal for the former super-soldier. The physical danger is only part of the equation, as the story is expected to test the convictions that have defined Captain America throughout his MCU journey. With Evans back in the role after finding a compelling story pitch, the question is what could have convinced him to return for such a brutal chapter.

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Would you like to see Chris Evans make a comeback as Johnny Storm someday? Let us know in the comments!