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Before being cast as Captain America, Chris Evans was known in Hollywood as a charming yet typecast actor, often seen in light-hearted or comedic roles, such as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
What many don’t know is that Evans’ above image was so cemented that when he was first offered the role of Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, he ended up turning it down — not once but three times. More than a decade and a half later, the actor is indubitably the face of the MCU, as well as its leader, a post his successors are struggling to match.
Why Did Chris Evans Turn Down The Role Of Captain America?
Evans was reportedly overwhelmed by the implications of being in a major franchise like Marvel Cinematic Universe, feeling anxious about the long-term commitment and the drastic lifestyle changes it could bring, having gone through a similar experience on the sets of the Fantastic Four film series.
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Fame and public attention were things he had always been wary of, and the idea of being tied to multiple films intensified his doubts. Evans later revealed that his hesitation was attributed to the fear of compromising his privacy, freedom, and control over his career.
The Knives Out actor later realized that rejecting the opportunity solely because of fear would be the very mistake he wanted to avoid, and accepted the career-defining role that has since made him an international icon.
chris evans in captain america: the first avenger (2011) as steve rogers / captain america pic.twitter.com/OpO0nChTED
— mads ⏾ (@hasansdimple) March 3, 2020
Did Robert Downey Jr. Play A Part In Chris Evans’ Captain America Casting?
Another untold tale behind Evans’ eventual decision to accept the role of Captain America came through a phone call from Iron Man himself, aka Robert Downey Jr. Having already established himself as the pioneer of the MCU, Downey understood Evans’ hesitation. The Sherlock Holmes actor encouraged his future co-star to look beyond the fear of commitment and become incentivized by the creative opportunity the role offered.
Downey assured the Snowpiercer actor that joining the MCU was about being part of a special universe that would redefine modern cinema. This prep-talk gave Evans the confidence to reconsider, ultimately convincing him that he was capable of carrying the mantle of Captain America.
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How Did Chris Evans Train To Become Steve Rogers/Captain America?
Come 2010, Evans had officially stepped into the shoes of Steve Rogers, having signed a six-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The commitment was enormous, as Evans was set to appear not only in standalone Captain America films but also in the larger Avengers saga alongside Downey, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and others, potentially defining an entire cinematic era.
In addition to mentally acclimatizing himself to the new atmosphere, Evans learned that even physically, the role demanded a lot. For the first film, Captain America: The First Avenger, the actor underwent vigorous training and diet changes to transform into the super-soldier.
Chris Evans’ portrayal of Captain America has resonated with audiences because of the combination of heroism, vulnerability, and earnestness. Years later, it’s truly hard to conceive even the thought of picturing another actor embodying Captain America’s patriotic, never-back-down attitude the way Evans did.
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