Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans reunite at Oscars ahead of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’
-Reuters
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans brought a dose of Marvel nostalgia to the 98th Academy Awards, reuniting onstage to present the awards for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay.
The moment, held at the Dolby Theatre, also marked the 14th anniversary of The Avengers, the 2012 blockbuster that helped launch the Marvel Cinematic Universe into global dominance.
Downey Jr. began by praising screenwriters, telling the audience that “the script” is the driving force behind every film. Evans then interrupted to jokingly ask what his longtime co-star had gotten him for the anniversary of The Avengers.
Evans revealed he had gifted Downey Jr. a signed copy of the Avengers script, while Downey Jr. quipped that he had given Evans his valet receipt, drawing laughs from the audience.
The duo went on to present the Best Adapted Screenplay award to Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another.
While announcing the nominees for Best Original Screenplay, ultimately won by Ryan Coogler for Sinners, the two actors continued their playful exchange. At one point, Downey Jr. joked by handing Evans a pair of sparkly underwear worn by Channing Tatum in Magic Mike, prompting Tatum to shout from the audience that he would need them “for work later.”
Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. reunite at the #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/O4LSg3entX
The onstage reunion also served as a nod to the actors’ upcoming return to Marvel. Both stars are set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, with Downey Jr. portraying the iconic villain Doctor Doom and Evans reprising his role connected to Captain America.
Their wardrobe choices even reflected the characters, Downey Jr. wore a dark green jacket reminiscent of Doctor Doom, while Evans appeared in dark blue, echoing the classic Captain America color scheme.
Downey Jr. and Evans became global stars portraying Iron Man and Captain America throughout the MCU’s early years. Their characters seemingly exited the franchise in Avengers: Endgame, where Tony Stark sacrificed himself to defeat Thanos and Steve Rogers chose to retire after traveling back in time to live with Peggy Carter.
But as the Oscars moment suggested, the Avengers are assembling once again.