Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans Reunite at Oscars for Avengers Anniversary

Two of the original Avengers assembled at the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, and the screenplay categories had to wait while Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans worked through their anniversary gift exchange first.

The pair took the Dolby Theatre stage to present best adapted and best original screenplay, but Evans had other priorities. Interrupting Downey's opening line, "The script. It's the driving force of any film, and it's truly been a banner year for screenwriters," Evans announced: "It's the 14th year anniversary of our first 'Avengers' movie." He had come prepared. "I got you a signed copy of the original script, signed by the whole cast. It's backstage. See, I really thought this through!"

Downey had not thought this through. He produced what appeared to be a valet parking ticket as a counteroffer. "Yeah, mine's backstage," he told Evans of his supposed gift, before Evans asked, "You self-drove?" Downey replied, "I did, I'm a man of the people."

The adapted screenplay Oscar went to Paul Thomas Anderson for One Battle After Another. Anderson accepted, Evans returned to the stage alone, and it briefly looked like Downey had deserted his costar entirely. Then Downey ran back from backstage with the real anniversary present.

"I was just joshing. Of course, I got you something," Downey told Evans before producing a sparkly thong he identified as having been worn by Channing Tatum in Magic Mike. The Hollywood Reporter described it as "the official tanning shadeam thong from Magic Mike," a phrase that may reflect a transcription quirk from the broadcast. The timing was precise: the bit landed between Anderson's acceptance and Ryan Coogler being presented with the original screenplay Oscar for Sinners.

Tatum was sitting in the audience. He shouted, "I'm gonna need that back, though!" and added, "I've got to work later!"

The reunion carries weight beyond the gag. Downey and Evans have shared the MCU since 2012's The Avengers, a collaboration that appeared to close permanently in 2019 when Avengers: Endgame killed off Iron Man and retired Captain America. Both actors are returning to the franchise this year in Avengers: Doomsday, with Evans reprising Steve Rogers and Downey taking on a new role entirely: Doctor Doom, the film's main villain. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is also releasing Spider-Man: Brand New Day this year, making the Oscars moment an unofficial preview of a crowded franchise calendar.