Chris Evans' shock cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine makes his tenure as the MCU's Steve Rogers even more impressive by comparison. Chris Evans was one of many actors who was speculated to make a cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, especially since he portrayed two Marvel-owned characters throughout his prolific comic book movie career. While he is now best known for portraying Captain America, his tenure as a superhero began with Fox's Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer as the cocky Johnny Storm.
Custom image by Ollie Bradley
In the context of the Multiverse Saga, Evans could have portrayed either of his Marvel characters in Deadpool & Wolverine. Ultimately, Johnny Storm was the right choice as it finally brought an end to the character's arc while averting the risk of besmirching Captain America's touching legacy in the MCU. Furthermore, Johnny Storm's hilarious cameo helped to enshrine Captain America as one of the MCU's most legendary figures thanks to the gulf between Chris Evans' two Marvel roles in both power and personality.
Chris Evans' Deadpool & Wolverine Cameo Makes His Final Fights As Captain America Look Even Better
Johnny Storm's Powers Are More Obvious Than Captain America's
Chris Evans was one of the first cameos to emerge in Deadpool & Wolverine, coming moments after Deadpool gushes over his version of Captain America only to pull the rug as he reveals himself to be Fox's earliest iteration of the Human Torch. Despite portraying himself as a hardened veteran of the Void, Storm is quickly countered by Pyro as he extinguishes the flames engulfing his body. Moments later, he is stripped of his skin by Cassandra Nova in one of the most gruesome and unceremonious deaths in Deadpool & Wolverine.
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Chris Evans' Major Marvel Movie Appearances |
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|---|---|---|
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Movie Title |
Release Date |
Role |
|
Fantastic Four |
2005 |
Johnny Storm/The Human Torch |
|
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer |
2007 |
|
|
Captain America: The First Avenger |
2011 |
Steve Rogers/Captain America |
|
The Avengers |
2012 |
|
|
Captain America: The Winter Soldier |
2014 |
|
|
Avengers: Age Of Ultron |
2015 |
|
|
Captain America: Civil War |
2016 |
|
|
Avengers: Infinity War |
2018 |
|
|
Avengers: Endgame |
2019 |
|
|
Deadpool & Wolverine |
2024 |
Johnny Storm/The Human Torch |
It was a swift and harsh end to a character that is one of Marvel Comics' strongest. With the surrounding context, it is hard not to compare Johnny Storm to Steve Rogers and how different things would have played out if it had instead been Captain America in the Void. Although Cap's powers are more modest than Johnny Storm's, Cap's solo tussle with Thanos looks even more impressive against Johnny Storm's lackluster attempt to overpower Pyro. The scene is, in fact, a perfect illustration of Storm's hubris and the stark difference between him and Rogers.
The MCU Was Right To Make Steve Rogers & Johnny Storm As Different As Possible
Chris Evans Plays Two MCU Opposites
Chris Evans would debut as Captain America just four years after his last appearance as Johnny Storm in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. This saw Evans flaunt his acting range as he pivoted from the impetuous young Storm to the level-headed Rogers. The gulf between the two characters is so vast that there is no chance of confusing Evans' two Marvel roles, which only makes his appearance as Johnny Storm instead of Steve Rogers even better in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Johnny Storm is presumably aware of Pyro as Cassandra Nova's second-in-command, since he is shown to be acutely aware of Nova herself. Therefore, Storm aiming for the one mutant that boasts pyrokinetic powers was a pretty boneheaded move, but in keeping with his impetuous and self-assured nature, especially as he refuses to quit until his flames are exhausted. It is impossible to imagine Steve Rogers making the same mistake, compounding the hopelessness of the situation as his failure helps lead to the capture of the protagonists.
Chris Evans' Two MCU Endings Perfectly Set Up The Franchise's New Captain America & Human Torch
Both Characters Pass The Torch Fittingly
With the death of the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine, the stories of both of Chris Evans' MCU characters have come to an end. While Steve Rogers' current condition is unclear, he is at the very least an old man whose final moments in the MCU saw him put himself first for the first time before bequeathing his shield and the Captain America mantle to Sam Wilson. It was a dignified ending for the character who has been one of the most virtuous and selfless in the entire MCU.
The final moments for Evans' Johnny Storm, meanwhile, were also befitting. While his unceremonious death may have been particularly harsh, his final moments were actually in the Deadpool & Wolverine post-credits scene where he is depicted spouting a diatribe against Cassandra Nova so crass that it would make Captain America blush. It was a perfect contrast to the role most audiences are used to seeing Evans portray, and Deadpool & Wolverine opens the door for Joseph Quinn's character to pick up the mantle in July 2025 with his own spin on the typically brash character.
