Kevin Feige natural instincts as the overprotective godfather to his Marvel IPs saved Chris Evans’ legacy as Captain America.

“I know everyone loves the cameos”: Kevin Feige Prevented Chris Evans Returning as Captain America in 1 MCU Show by Going Against the Original Ideacredit: wikimedia commons

When it comes to protecting his IPs, Kevin Feige is no less than a clucking mother hen, and Captain America might just be the biggest egg in the basket. After Chris Evans’ swan song moment in Avengers: Endgame, the IP became as invaluable as first-edition art – treasured enough to be left as is but popular enough to be replicated.

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Captain America – past encounters futureChris Evans as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame [Credit: Disney]
As such, bringing back Chris Evans aka The Cap himself for a cameo role in an experimental MCU superhero debut limited series was beyond reprehensible in Feige’s opinion. After all, Captain America was one of the founding fathers of the MCU alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, and putting on the suit for the sake of gratuitous entertainment despite finding closure for his arc would be cruel and uncalled for.
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Kevin Feige Stomps the Brakes Hard on 1 Chris Evans Cameo

The world as we knew it, defined in terms of pre and post-Endgame sagas, was forever changed because of what was entailed in the culmination of 11 years’ worth of stories and plotlines spread across the galaxy. Microcosmic dimensions were opened, global conspiracies were unearthed, and new heroes began to take over from the first-generation Avengers, including Oscar Isaac‘s Egyptian journey as the Moon Knight.
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But for the new generation to take over, the old guard had to be completely dismantled and yet, their memories lingered in the mass consciousness. It was only understandable to bring back an original Avenger to attract nostalgia for a new Disney+ show that had no ties to the more familiar MCU. So, while Moon Knight writer Jeremy Slater proposed, “What happens if we try to get Chris Evans back as old Captain America?” Kevin Feige knew this was where he should draw the line. In an interview with Discussing Film, Slater revealed:

“Kevin comes to us and says, ‘You know what, guys? I know everyone loves the cameos. Everyone gets excited about it. But I really think your story is standing on its own two feet right now…’”

Oscar Isaac in Moon KnightOscar Isaac in Moon Knight [Credit: Disney+]
Later, Slater changed his views on the sandbox of Marvel IPs he wanted to play with, including his Doctor Strange and Spider-Man. Concerned about shifting the focus away from the main character(s) and their journey as Steven and Marc, adding Captain America to the mix felt to him “like shoehorning in an unnecessary cameo.”
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Anthony Mackie Rises to the Occasion as Captain America

With delays and reshoots plaguing the troubled production of Anthony Mackie‘s Captain America feature, the film finally looks secure enough to warrant a theatrical release. As revealed by Mackie, Captain America: Brave New World will drop a major sidekick player, i.e. Sebastian Stan making it the first Captain America film not to include Bucky Barnes in the movie.

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Anthony Mackie in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier [Credit: Disney+]Anthony Mackie in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier [Credit: Disney+]
With Chris Evans more than happy to preserve his memories from the Marvel days and look in from the sidelines, Anthony Mackie finally graduates from Falcon to the Captain as MCU adventures continue and expand every day.

Moon Knight is streaming on Disney+ and Captain America: Brave New World premieres on February 14, 2025.