Chris Evans is now best known for his role as Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but before he wielded Captain America's mighty shield, he portrayed another superhero: Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch, in 2005's Fantastic Four and 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
The films were not received well (Fantastic Four and its sequel hold 28% and 37% Rotten Tomatoes scores, respectively), but Evans is usually considered one of the best elements of the short-lived franchise.
With his long tenure in the MCU (he played Captain America in ten movies, including a trilogy of his own and four Avengers films) and his successful career outside of the long-running franchise, it would be hard to imagine Evans revisiting Johnny Storm. However, he has revealed he would technically be open to returning as the Human Torch should the right situation arise.
Evans sat down for an interview with MTV News to promote Lightyear (in which he voices Buzz Lightyear), where he was asked about a rumor that circulated in 2021 which claimed that he may be set to return as Johnny Storm, and whether he would be interested in taking on the role again. Evans stated he hadn't been approached about it, and reminisced about his time with the character:
"God, wouldn't that be great? [...] No, no one's ever come to me about that. I mean, I don't exactly look the same anymore. That was 15, almost 20 years ago. [...] But I really love that character. But I think... aren't they doing something now with Fantastic Four?
Evans was then reminded of the Marvel multiverse, after which he explained that it would be easier for him to return as the Human Torch than as Captain America, given that he felt Johnny didn't get the same chance to shine that Steve Rogers had:
"[I guess] all bets are off. Look, I would love it. I would love it. That would actually be an easier sell to me than coming back as Cap. [...] Cap is so precious to me. And [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. That was before Marvel really found its footing. So, I loved that role and, you know, who knows."
Before getting too excited about his quote, Evans was likely giving a courteous answer. By his response, it's clear that he appreciated Johnny Storm and his time playing him, but that doesn't necessarily equate to any plans actually being in place by Marvel Studios to make that a reality.
Putting the Human Torch aside, there do appear to be tentative plans to bring the actor back as Steve Rogers sometime down the line. In January 2021, Deadline reported that he was in talks with the House of Ideas to reprise his role as Captain America in an undisclosed project. The story was quickly refuted by Evans on Twitter:
Deadline's report was later also refuted by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who stated during an interview with Entertainment Weekly: "I rarely answer no to anything anymore because things are always surprising me with what happens, but that rumor, I think, was dispelled rather quickly by the man himself."
Given Marvel Studios' secrecy, though, it's possible there is something in the works for Evans' version of Captain America at some point in the future.
Lightyear is currently playing in theaters. Evans can also be seen on Netflix's The Gray Man, slated to release on the platform on July 22, 2022.