A major partnership from the classic comics felt like an impossibility after Avengers: Endgame, but now feels like it’s really in play ahead of Avengers: Doomsday. The new teaser for the upcoming fifth installment in the Avengers series confirms that in spite of the ending given to Steve Rogers’ story in Phase 3, Chris Evans is indeed on track to reprise his role.
The first Avengers: Doomsday teaser doesn’t give much away, but what it does reveal is that we’ll be seeing Steve Rogers sometime after he traveled back to 1949 to build a life with Peggy Carter. Seemingly making the most of his retirement from his role as the Spar Spangled Avenger, Steve now has a son.
Evidently, the original Captain America will soon be roped back into the picture, presumably to oppose Robert Downey, Jr.’s Doctor Doom. What that will entail is unclear, but it’s fair to expect it’ll involve some reunions with some of the other characters featured in Doomsday, specifically Winter Soldier, Thor, and the new Captain America.
But meeting familiar faces is sure to only be part of the equation for Steve’s next MCU adventure. There’s also a scenario where Evans’ character meets Namor the Sub-Mariner, which could hold some massive implications when it comes to their shared history in the comics.
Namor Is One Of Steve Rogers’ Oldest Allies In Marvel Comics
Captain America and Namor have a relationship in Marvel Comics that dates all the way back to the 1940s (in canon). Alongside the original version of the Human Torch, the two were founding members of the Invaders, a superhero team that helped the Allies fight the Nazis in World War 2.
Like most Marvel heroes, Captain America found himself on opposite sides of Namor upon the former’s reemergence in the modern era. Because they were former allies, they automatically had a more complicated dynamic than the ones he had with the likes of the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and the other Avengers.
Known for his massive ego and dislike for humans, it’s no secret that Namor looks down on most superheroes in the Marvel Universe. But he’s expressed on many occasions his respect for Captain America. Recognizing his courage and admirable traits in the face of their many disagreements, Namor treats Steve with more grace than he does the vast majority of their contemporaries.
Likewise, Captain America views Namor differently from how most perceive the Sub-Mariner. In fact, it was Cap himself who offered Namor Avengers membership in the 1990s. Having known him a long time, he recognizes that Namor is a misunderstood individual with a tragic past.
The MCU’s Steve Rogers Could Meet The Namor Of His Timeline
The idea of Captain America and Namor meeting, teaming up, or fighting in the MCU has always been exciting, but seemed as if it had been ruled out entirely after Avengers: Endgame. By the time Marvel Studios finally found room for Namor, Steve Rogers’ MCU story had already ended. But with Evans back and Namor confirmed for Avengers: Doomsday, that comic-accurate scenario is thankfully back on the table.
As for how it could work, there’s multiple ways Steve Rogers and Namor could interact in the film. One possibility is that Steve meets Namor in the alternate timeline he currently inhabits. Namor is centuries old, so a meeting between them in the 1950s is certainly plausible.
Steve could have even formed the Invaders with Namor. He retired from being Captain America, but standing up to fight threats to Earth are in his very nature. It could be that with the Invaders, Namor and Steve protected the planet at some point in the 1950s.
If any meetings between them happened in his new timeline (whether it’s shown onscreen or not), that would establish Steve having some prior knowledge of him if he crosses paths with the primary version of Namor later.
Steve Rogers’ MCU Return Could Make Namor A True Hero
Namor crossed several moral lines in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but it’s important to note that the comic character has committed his fair share of terrible acts as well – and yet, he always seems to find his way back on the side of the heroes. With Namor in Avengers: Doomsday, there’s good reason to believe he’ll have an opportunity to redeem himself.
Steve Rogers presents the MCU with a great way of making that happen. If Avengers: Doomsday takes inspiration from Namor and Captain America’s comic relationship, it could pull Namor toward the Avengers in a truly meaningful way.
Steve’s ability to inspire and bring out the best in people is an inherent trait of the character in both the comics and the movies, and could be a vital asset of his if recruiting Namor will prove to be the difference in the fight to stop Doctor Doom. If this happens, Avengers: Doomsday will have the tools necessary for a fun team-up in the final battle that perfectly honors their many team-ups in Marvel Comics.
- Release Date
-
December 18, 2026
-
-
Vanessa Kirby
Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
-
Johnny Storm / Human Torch
-
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ben Grimm / The Thing
