Deadpool & Wolverine has finally arrived to stake its claim as the cinematic event of the year, and as the designated savior of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The success of both such campaigns are excrutiatingly dubious, but one thing is for sure; everyone is here.
“Everyone,” in this case, meaning numerous, unprecedented returnees from Fox’s run of Marvel films, including Lady Deathstrike, Toad, Azazel, and even Jennifer Garner’s Elektra in what just might be the single biggest curveball the franchise has ever seen (but, then again, maybe not).
In the weeks leading up to this release, however, whispers of a challenger to the aforementioned curveball throne were scuttling around the web. That challenger is Chris Evans‘ return as Johnny Storm from the 2005 Fantastic Four film; a return that would serve up layers upon layers of nostalgic nuance thanks to the actor’s time as Captain America.
That said, did Evans actually return to the MCU with a brand new — and simultaneously much older — shade of blue in Deadpool & Wolverine?
Does Chris Evans play the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine?
Unthinkably, Evans does in fact make his grand return to the MCU as the one and only Johnny Storm, as one of the members of X-23’s resistance against Cassandra Nova’s rule over the void. Perhaps this will help explain any 5.5. magnitude earthquakes that occur near various cinemas in the coming days.
But at the same time, Johnny was Evans’ perfect storm for an MCU return. In the past, Evans has stated that he would be all too happy head back to the MCU in the future, with the caveat that the material would have to be right in order to protect the dignity of his beloved character (in this case, he was, of course, referring to Captain America).
That reluctance, however, only seems to apply when Captain America is in the equation, as was always the case until now. Indeed, with the Human Torch opportunity having been made possible thanks to Deadpool & Wolverine, Evans was able to head back to the MCU without needing to worry about spoiling Cap’s integrity, and fans of all generations had that much more to smile at, whether it’s the Fantastic Four nostalgia or that of the Infinity Saga.
Deadpool & Wolverine is now playing in theaters.