Chris Evans will soon be returning to theMCU, sparking theories that he may be debuting as a version ofCaptain Americaworking for HYDRA. The HYDRA-indoctinated version of Steve Rogers' Captain America first appeared in Marvel Comics back in 2016, much to the shock of avid readers. Since then, there has been speculation aboutHYDRA’s Captain America’s debut in the MCU, but aside from a tease duringAvengers: Endgame’sTime Heist, Chris Evans' Steve Rogers has always been depicted as the patriotic Star-Spangled Man-with-a-Plan.
New interest has now been ignited in an evil version of Captain America potentially debuting in the MCU, asChris Evans' return inAvengers: Doomsdayhas been confirmed.HYDRA’s Captain America’s Marvel Comics backstory means he’d fit perfectly into the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, and Chris Evans would be the perfect actor to take on this twisted version of his iconic Marvel role. This evil Captain America continues to pose a threat in Marvel Comics, so he could be a fun, exciting and dangerous addition to theMCU’s Phase 6.
HYDRA Captain America’s Marvel Comics History Explained
HYDRA’s Captain America Debuted During Marvel Comics' Secret Empire Event
2016’sCaptain America: Steve Rogers #1introduced the evil iteration of Steve Rogers. After the universe of Marvel Comics' Earth-616 was recreated following theepicSecret Warsevent, an aged Steve Rogers learned about SHIELD’s prison town, Pleasant Hill. Pleasant Hill’s superhuman inmates had been turned docile by a sentient Cosmic Cube named Kobik, who’d taken the form of a little girl.Baron Zemo incited a war in Pleasant Hill, leading to Steve Rogers being attacked by Crossbones, and in the heat of battle, Kobik used her power to restore Rogers to his prime.
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Unbeknownst to everyone, Kobik had been indoctrinated by HYDRA and the Red Skull, so this new Rogers was instilled with her own twisted values. In actual fact,Kobik supplanted Earth-616’s Rogers with a HYDRA-loyal Captain America from another reality where Rogers had fallen into the arms of HYDRA at an early age. Rogers was raised and trained by HYDRA, and mentored by Daniel Whitehall, before embarking on a mission to infiltrate the United States during World War II. Earning the trust of Dr. Abraham Erskine, this Rogers soon receivedProject Rebirth’s super-soldier serumand became Captain America.
After Heinrich Zemo’s death, Steve Rogers reluctantly declared his loyalty to the Red Skull and learned about the Cosmic Cube. Rogers was eventually frozen in ice and awoke in the 21st Century, wherehe set about restoring HYDRA’s former glory before replacing the original version of Steve Rogers in Pleasant Hill. He fought during 2016’sCivil War II, but then began HYDRA’s Secret Empire by instigating Chitauri attacks on Earth. Rogers orchestrated SHIELD DirectorMaria Hill’s death, and took the position for himself, allowing him to pass the “SHIELD Act” that could grant him absolute power.
It may be difficult to tell the evil Captain America’s story fully in the MCU, as SHIELD has not been a presence in the MCU since it was brought down alongside HYDRA in 2014’sCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.
Rogers began to build his Army of Evil, and murdered the Red Skull, establishing himself as HYDRA Supreme. Terror surrounding Chitauti attacks and other crises put the SHIELD Act into action, legally putting Captain America in charge of the United States, allowing his HYDRA to officially take over.2017’sSecret Empireevent saw HYDRA in complete control, but the heroes of the world fought to reassemble the shattered Cosmic Cube and bring down the evil Steve Rogers. The original Captain America was soon brought back by Kobik, and engaged in battle with his HYDRA counterpart, coming out victorious.
This evil Steve Rogers was imprisoned, but committed many attempts to escape before ultimately being pardoned by a corrupted President of the United States, though he was soon killed by an ancient mutant, Selene, nevertheless.He was resurrected in 2023 and urged to become an enemy of the Earth’s mutant population. Rogers stole Captain Krakoa’s armor and attacked the Senate, hoping to frame mutants andspread more mutant fear and hatred. This lead to him declaring himself to be the new Flag-Smasher in 2024’sUncanny Avengers (Vol. 4) #5.
HYDRA Captain America’s Powers Explained
HYDRA’s Captain America Shares Many Powers With The True Steve Rogers
This alternate HYDRA-indoctrinated version of Steve Rogers has many of the same abilities as the original version of Rogers' Captain America from Earth-616.He received the same super-soldier serum as the original Rogers, but is perhaps more physically powerful as he was trained from an early age by HYDRA, and he certainly has more influence than his Earth-616 counterpart. This Rogers sets himself up as HYDRA Supreme, or the Supreme Commander of HYDRA, and he became the highest-ranking individual in the United States during theSecret Empireevent.
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Despite having more influence and possibly more physical power than Earth-616’s Steve Rogers, HYDRA’s Captain America still found himself defeated by his more heroic counterpart.The original Steve Rogers has commitment, dedication and conviction that HYDRA’s Rogers does not, which ultimately sees him squashed beneath the original Rogers' boot. HYDRA’s Rogers did have a Cosmic Cube-empowered armor, but this was also destroyed by aMjolnir-wielding Captain America, proving that the original version of Rogers is better in every way.
Why It Would Make Sense For HYDRA Captain America To Appear In The MCU Now
Chris Evans Will Be Returning To The MCU In Avengers: Doomsday
In the five years since he departed the MCU at the end of 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, Chris Evans has been repeatedly asked whether he would return. Evans has noted that he’s so protective of Steve Rogers and his story that he’d be reluctant to return as Captain America, though his reprisal ofJohnny Storm’s Human Torch inDeadpool & Wolverinemay have opened the door for him to return again.Chris Evans' casting inAvengers: Doomsdayhas been announced, but the extent and nature of his role is still a mystery, spurring theories the evil Captain America could debut.
HYDRA’s Steve Rogers emerged in Marvel Comics in the wake of theSecret Warsevent whenSam Wilson was operating as the main Captain America. This is now the case in the MCU, andAnthony Mackie’s Wilson will be making his theatrical debut as the Star-Spangled Man in 2025’sCaptain America: Brave New World. This means now is the perfect time for Chris Evans to return as a twisted version of Steve Rogers, allowing Marvel Studios to adapt the comics' Captain America vs. Captain America fight for live-action.
How HYDRA Captain America Could Fit Into Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday Already Has A Formidable Villain
While it would be fantastic to seeChris Evans' HYDRA Captain Americamake his first appearance inAvengers: Doomsday, the upcoming Russo brothers crossover movie already has a formidable villain.Robert Downey Jr. was confirmed to be returning to the MCU during Marvel’s presentation at 2024’s SDCC, though not as Tony Stark, but as Doctor Doom. Doom could take up too much room for HYDRA’s Captain America to have a substantial role, but there are clear ways the pair of supervillains could actually work alongside each other.
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It’s possible thatRobert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doomcould be introduced as a hero, fighting villains and staving off destructive incursions alongside the MCU’s new Avengers team.This could see him oppose Chris Evans' evil Captain America, while the pair could also be working together. In Marvel Comics, HYDRA’sCaptain Americaforms an Army of Evil comprising Madame Hydra, Zemo, Kraven the Hunter and many more, so it’s possible this group could be formed inAvengers: Doomsdaywith Doctor Doom in the roster, which could debut a powerful and terrifying supervillain team to live-action.
Avengers: Doomsday
Cast
Avengers: Doomsday is the fifth Avengers film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and will bring together heroes, new and old, to face off against Victor von Doom - played by the returning Robert Downey Jr.. Avengers 5 will also mark the beginning of phase 6 of the MCU.
