Image Courtesy: gamesradar.com
Today, it’s not possible to imagine anybody other than Chris Evans in the role of Steve Rogers or Captain America. For the unversed, when the actor Wyatt Russell had taken up the role of the superhero in The Falcon and The Winter Solider, many fans opposed the casting and made a trend that said, “Not My Cap” although it was a temporary adjustment. The new Cap now is Sam Wilson who is very much like Steve which justifies his selection, carrying forward the principles, ideals and legacy that his predecessor embodied.
Evans who is celebrating his 40th birthday today will forever be remembered as Captain America in our hearts owing to his charming appearance, believable action and solid characterization.
Recalling the times when he was offered the role of Captain America, Evans was not enthusiastic about the idea he was given the character. He had another role of Johnny Storm/Human Torch in Fox’s Fantastic Four: Rise of Silver Surfer in 2005 and 2007 under Marvel. According to his experience which wasn’t really ideal, he wasn’t very convinced.
The films were criticized by many audiences, including his performance.
Although, he wasn’t only critical because of his experience with Fantastic Four Films it was also because Marvel wanted him to sign a contract of six films. Six films sum up to a decade which he will spend in MCU, which of course is a little daunting aspect to choose.
In conversation with an episode of The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, the actor revealed what he said when he was offered the role, he “hung up and I kind of thought about it. And I really, for some reason, looked at it as, ‘This is the temptation. This is it. This is the fork in the road. And I really want to kind of wake up to my life and take control of it. And I think this is where you say no.’ So, I called my team back and I said, ‘Listen, thank them very much but I think I’m going to say no thanks.”
However, Kevin Feige, chief of Marvel Studios persisted and Evans accepted the role.
He added that around the release of Captain America: The First Avenger he had to take therapies as he was very apprehensive about playing the character. He said, “I went because I was very apprehensive about making the movie, I was nervous about the lifestyle change, about the commitment. You know, it’s six movies, that can last 10 years. I love making movies but I’m not dead set on being a gigantic movie star. I like to have the option to walk away if I want, with a six picture deal, you can’t walk away.”
Later, Evans lived up to everyone’s expectations as he played Captain America in all four Avengers movie apart from playing the role in Captain America: The First Avenger, its sequels The Winter Soldier and Civil War.