ABC
The Academy Awards are broadcast on ABC, which gives the Disney-owned network a chance to shoehorn in cross promotional programming, such as the “14 year reunion” of The Avengers that they forced down audiences throats. Unfortunately for the Mouse House, however, the bit bombed both in the room and on TV screens at home.
Despite the star power of Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. and Captain America star Chris Evans, the bit done by the pair while presenting Best Adapted and Original Screenplay fell flat on its face — not to mention the fact that the idea of a “14 year reunion” is ridiculous — with barely a sound coming from the star-studded audience.
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans brutally bombing at the Academy Awards has movie fans seriously worried about the prospects of Avengers: Doomsday
After the shtick fell flat on its face, movie fans — who were already dubious about the prospect of this December’s Avengers: Doomsday — took to social media to either mourn or rejoice over the fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s juice is all but dead and buried.
Robert Downey Junior and Chris Evans really have zero charisma wow
— Lil Mosquito Disease 🏳️⚧️ (@thelilmosquito) March 16, 2026
That room was NOT having any Marvel banter
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) March 16, 2026
“Man, that legendary Downey Jr./Evans chemistry just burning right through the screen. Doomsday can’t come soon enough!” one viral tweet read.
“Downey and Evans. No one laughed. Tough,” tweeted The Ringer’s Van Lathan.
“Weirdly a perfect analogy for post endgame marvel. Half baked script relying mostly on name/brand recognition,” a third popular post added.
that RDJ / Chris Evans banter was a preview of the scintillating humor we can all expect from Avengers Doomsday
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) March 16, 2026
Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans bombing is a moment of collective healing
— Rolo Tony (@PoorOldRoloTony) March 16, 2026
As for why the pair bombed, there’s a few reasons. The first is that the bit in and of itself, and the writing of it, was simply poor. Then there’s the aforementioned fact that a “14 year reunion” of The Avengers is clearly corporate synergy from Disney/Marvel/ABC etc. Finally, the MCU simply does not have the cultural cache that it did a decade ago.
Both Evans and Downey Jr. will be returning to the MCU for the first time since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters in December. While Evans is returning as Steve Rogers/Captain America, RDJ will be taking on a new role entirely as he’ll be the villainous playing Doctor Doom.