Chris Evans
"Finally, Playing the Straight Man"
Chris Evans originally showed Hollywood his superhero swagger as The Human Torch in the Fantastic Four films. Then, he showed he could take center-stage with a role as the world’s most patriotic superhero in Captain America: The First Avenger.
Now, the 30 year-old shows once again he is equally adept at being a team player in the superhero game, teaming up with Iron Man, Thor, and The Incredible Hulk in the long-awaited film adaptation of the Marvel comic The Avengers. Evans talks about what was the most memorable moment for him during the film’s shooting.
“Mine was the scene where Thor and Iron Man are fighting,” Chris says, “I had just seen Thor, the day prior, and I had yet to see [Chris] Hemsworth or [Robert] Downey in their full suit. I showed up that night, and it was the first time I saw them both geared up, and I just got really excited. I felt like a little kid. It was just an honor to be a part of it.”
Chris talks about how he feels Captain America is less powerful than his fellow Avengers.
“Yeah,” Evans replies, “I give all these orders like, ‘Hulk, you do this impossible thing. Thor, you bottleneck a space portal… Iron Man, you fly over here… and, I’ll… I’ll take the stairs.’”
Evans talks about the one character he would swap with in the film if he could.
“I want to say Iron Man because I love those movies, but who can do it better?” Chris says, “The shoes would be too big to fill.
Chris talks about how he feels about playing more a straight man as Captain America versus the Human Torch or the other more jokey characters he’s been known in the past for playing.
“Yeah, it’s tough not getting any jokes,” Evans says, “That’s the role. It’s necessary. That’s why I like it. I’m used to leaning on cracking jokes and being the smart ass,
Chris Evans
"Finally, Playing the Straight Man"
“I think with this film, even more than the first Captain America, Steve Rogers has some issues, some conflicts and some trouble with the fact that he is a man out of time,” he adds, “But, given who he is as a man, his nature is that he puts that second and the mission first. He’s selfless. It’s a fun character to play.”
Evans says it’s that sense of selflessness he most admires about playing the superhero.
“His heart and his selflessness is my favorite quality in him,” Chris says, “He wasn’t born a superhero. This didn’t happen to him by accident. He was chosen for those reasons, his values and morals. He puts other people and other causes ahead of himself. It’s something to aspire to.”
Chris talks about how the comic timing of Robert Downey Jr. in The Avengers inspired him and the rest of the cast.
“Anytime you do a scene with Downey, he’s so good with improv and working off-the-cuff,” Evans says, “ He’s never going to do the same thing twice, so you’ve just gotta be on your toes. He’s just funny. He’s always funny. He brings a certain life to the scene. Even if you’re not the one making jokes, you can appreciate what he brings to any scene, in terms of comedy.”
