Actor Chris Evans has been climbing the Hollywood ladder for years now, but arguably made his breakthrough with the one-two punch of Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER and THE AVENGERS. Many remember him from his comedic efforts in NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE, his first comic book venture as Johnny Storm in FANTASTIC FOUR, or in more dramatic fare like STREET KINGS and SUNSHINE. However, there’s no denying that his role as Captain America has made him a household name, opening the doors for more opportunities in Hollywood, like his recent turns in PUNCTURE and THE ICEMAN.
While promotiing THE ICEMAN at TIFF, Evans sat down and gave some details on being a part of the big studio system, the indie market, and dreading the upcoming regimen for CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER.
On big-budget vs. indie fare:
“I’ve been pretty candid in the past, I’m not a huge fan of the studio movies. From ‘soup to nuts’ the process of making those movies is very tedious and sometimes the final product becomes-the original vision becomes homogenized. And then the promoting process is a real chore. I much prefer these smaller films, they’re more my speed. So you do these giant movies and thank God they were good because they aren’t always. They came out so well, I couldn’t be more lucky. It affords you the opportunity to go do the smaller things that you want to do. I’m in such a perfect situation where I get to do (the Marvel films) every six months or so with a group of people I love, I love Marvel and I love The Avengers. And in my downtime I get to go and do movies like this, I couldn’t be luckier”
On the physical preparation for the sequel to Captain America:
“I’m dreading it (the physical transformation), this is what I keep thinking. We start Cap 2 in March so come January I have to get back into that routine. All I’m thinking about is the future movies, like ‘god, how am I going to keep getting big’, it’s such a chore. I hate to admit it but it’s not easy (laughs). It’s months and months of lifting heavy stuff and…not looking forward to it. But, it’s worth it because I am happy with the movies and I do love the character so come January, my life is going to be different. It’s such a commitment, top-to-bottom, its not just lifting, sleep is important, your diet is important. It’s a complete commitment but what am I saying, it’s good problems to have. “Ugh, it’s just so difficult, I’d much rather be in the coal mines” (laughs).”
On his defining role:
“I guess it would be Captain America, I might’ve said Johnny Storm, Fantastic Four- that was sort of the first time on a big studio movie. After that movie, I think I got put on….there’s tiers to your career and I think that was the first stepping stone that allowed me to be in another arena on studio’s lists. On an industry scale, I’d say Fantastic Four and on a more public scale, Captain America.”
Speaking to MTV, Evans talked more about The Winter Soldier storyline that is derived from writer Ed Brubaker’s seminal run on the comic book, saying, “There were always hints at that. The best thing about [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige is he’s a fan. He’s not just a businessman, he’s a rabid comic book fan. Even during the first Captain America, well before The Avengers, there were whispers of [Winter Soldier] being the sequel. So I’m excited to tackle that.”
He went on to praise his co-stars in the upcoming sequel, including Sebastian Stan, who plays the role of Bucky/The Winter Soldier, “I love Sebastian. He’s such a great guy.” said Evans. As for Anthony Mackie, who will be playing The Falcon, Evans said, “He’s so great, I’ve known Mackie for a few years now. I’m really happy we got him. We got lucky.”
And if you still haven’t gotten your fill of Chris Evans, I’ll leave you with this video from the BECOMING, “an interview series that uncovers what successful actors, musicians, chefs, athletes and others, did to get to be leaders in their industries.”
Chris Evans reprises his role as Steve Rogers in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER, to be released on April 4, 2014, as well as the sequel to THE AVENGERS, which is slated for May 01, 2015. He’ll next be seen in Joon-ho Bon’s SNOW PIERCER, which will bow sometime in 2013.
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