Chris Evans Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters

Put on the suit, let's go a few rounds. [laughs]

[Interviewer] Who do you think is stronger,

Captain America or Iron Man?

Oh, well I'm biased, so I'm gonna say Cap,

but who's smarter, who's richer?

I'll give those to Tony.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Fantastic Four.

Now picture that, but everywhere.

I wasn't a big comic book reader.

I mean, I've read a lot now, but at the time, and aside

from like the eighties and early nineties, Batman, Superman,

things like that, that new wave of superhero films,

the Spider-Man, the X-Men, they had just begun.

So it was really exciting.

Marvel hadn't even kind of taken back their name yet.

So that film was at Fox.

It was one

of the bigger movies I had done up until that point.

So I was ecstatic and it was a fun role to play.

It was full of life

and he reacted the way I probably would've reacted

if I was given superpowers.

I'm so close to flying guys, I can taste it.

You can't fly. Yet.

Johnny, can you put that napkin out?

Oh, Jesus.

Well, it was the first time doing

those big action-y stunts.

You show up on a set that's two blocks long

and these giant cables and explosions

and green screens and it's the stuff you see

in the making of's on other films

and it's kind of like, Wow, I make movies, this is great.

And just having a good time with the cast.

We had a lot of fun.

This was in the early 2000s,

this is before social media.

I think everyone probably had a Nokia flip phone

so it still was a time where

in between takes, everyone's not buried in their phone,

you're conversing and at night you're socializing.

And yeah, it was my early twenties, it was a good time.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Captain America.

[triumphant music]

I knew that Marvel had big plans, that the goal was

to create this tapestry and integrate these worlds

in a way that really hadn't been done prior.

And I knew what the comic books offered me just

about the character.

With like most comics, there's a number

of different writers who are writing for that character

and a number of different storylines,

so you're not quite sure which one they're gonna follow.

Yeah, it wasn't a whole lot

about where the character was gonna end up.

It was more about the burden of trying

to create this universe.

But that didn't really fall in my lap,

that was other people's responsibility.

And we had Downey driving the machine, you know what I mean?

Like, he had already done so well with Iron Man

and it was such a phenomenon that you kind of felt like,

Okay, this is, we're off on the right foot.

Before we get started, does anyone want to get out?

[charging noise]

[dramatic music]

You wanna see how the fans see 'em, you know what I mean?

Anytime I've heard about movies that are being made

or remade, something that's dear to me,

you realize how protective

and possessive you are over that role.

And you wanna make sure the person playing the character

respects that perspective and isn't just like, Well,

I know they know the character

but this is my time, I'm gonna do my thing,

that's stumbling right outta the gate.

So first step, try to understand why other people

like him and honor it as best you can.

[triumphant music]

[Captain America] Avengers.

Assemble.

There's a lot of fun moments in End Game

because it's a lot

of moments that are servicing the fandom.

But for a lot of those prep montage where we're

about to go back and get the stones, it's kind of some

of the original people and we just got

to be in this room for weeks.

I obviously really like the scene where I pick

up Mjollnir for the first time.

[dramatic music]

Just felt good.

Most of the scenes in Endgame,

you're fully aware of what you got to be a part of.

You're really just kind of so grateful every day

and just trying to absorb it all.

I think when you're

in the middle of it, it's just always like, Ah,

there's another Marvel movie next year.

Not that you take it for granted,

but it just doesn't resonate the same way when you know,

Wow, we're wrapping in a couple weeks

and I'm putting the shield down.

And just, it's been such a big part

of my life for a decade.

So most of Endgame was a really, really lovely experience.

How does it feel?

Like it's someone else's.

It isn't.

That last day it was emotional,

it's like graduating school.

I mean you know like the day's coming and then it's all

of a sudden here and you feel like it went by way too quick.

And I mean, it's life changing.

My life is forever not the same.

My family's life isn't, I mean,

like the ripple effect of signing up

for that role is kind of immeasurable for me at least.

And it was a beautiful time, full of gratitude.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

You really don't know about the league?

Um.

The seven evil ex'es coming to kill you,

controlling the future of Ramona's love life?

No.

Oh, well, hey listen man, don't worry about it.

Really? Yeah, let's go get a beer.

That's great.

[punch noise]

The pitch for Scott Pilgrim was so strange

but he kind of said, Lucas Lee is this movie star

but he really doesn't have much range

and he thinks he's great

but he's actually terrible and I think you'd be perfect.

I said, Okay. [laughs]

[upbeat music]

They spent a lot of time trying to get me

to look comfortable, but at the end of the day,

I'm still hanging off of cables and had a rig

where my shoe was connected to the skateboard.

So when I try an ollie, it comes up with me.

So, I mean but you dive in

'cause you're in this big warehouse

and Mary's in the corner working

with swords and Mike and Jason are

over there doing this big action sequence.

So you're just happy to be a part of it.

That's probably the most fun I've had on a movie, again,

early in my career, twenties,

but a big cast of people in the same place.

I wanna have his adopted babies.

The cast was very connected.

Hey.

Hey, I'm not done with.

Oh. [laughs]

Looks like you're seeing double.

[punch noise]

He's good, right?

Leaving was heartbreaking.

It truly was like the first time I was like, I mean,

I can just hang out guys if you need me.

You don't wanna miss a beat.

Another film where there was a rehearsal period

that was more physical based,

a lot of people had action sequences,

I had to learn how to skateboard,

but the rehearsal was so fun.

Then you leave and come back a month later to do your bit

and you just have such horrible FOMO.

You just, Well, what have you guys been doing?

Have you had been having fun?

Send me pictures.

Yeah, to this day that email chain is still very active.

When I first saw it after they finished the edit

before it had been released, I saw it and was just like,

this movie is gonna be huge.

And then oddly it kind of came and went.

The moons that have to align for a movie

to not just be good, but find success is a lot.

But it's nice to know that that one continues

to find new audiences and it's kind of created a little bit

of like a cult following.

That's why we're doing this animated series.

And I've just never been a part of something

where all Edgar had to do was say,

Hey, you guys wanna do this?

And it was a race to jump in, everyone,

Yes, of course, of course, no brainer.

So yeah, it's a little family.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Not Another Teen Movie.

At that point, I would've taken any movie.

But yeah, to be able to spoof some

of those films that I grew up on was a treat.

[Speaker] Oh my God, it's Jake.

[Speaker] Hi stud.

[Speaker] Hi Jake. Jake.

[Speaker] I love what he does with his eyebrows.

There was Ferris Bueller elements.

My dad in the movie was Ferris's dad.

Just to be in any way somewhat adjacent

to Ferris Bueller was pretty exciting at the time.

♪ Janey's got a gun. ♪

♪ Janey Briggs got a gun. ♪

She's got a gun, Janey's got a gun.

[crowd screams]

♪ Janey Briggs got a gun ♪

Comedy's more intimidating.

Keeping things fresh on a film set is the biggest challenge.

Drama, you can always find something to make it feel honest.

Comedy when you tell a joke

or you know the comedic rhythm that's coming,

it's very easy to get stale.

You gotta be really nimble and just intrinsically funny

which I don't know that I am.

So it's an uphill battle.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Knives Out

Stop, stop, stop, stop.

You Drysdale?

Ransom, call me Ransom, it's my middle name.

I mean, I love a murder mystery, I love an ensemble.

I love the, I mean, that cast is just phenomenal.

And Rian Johnson, again,

another director who really knows what he wants.

And it was a role that I felt confident in.

It was an intimidating role just

because a lot of the characters are colorful

and you don't quite know how far to go

and how grounded do I make this?

And again, you let Ryan guide you

but it was just a dream job, just had a blast.

With a good lawyer, which I have,

I'll be out in no time.

And then you'll see just how much hell I can wreak

on your life you vicious little bitch.

[retching]

Oh, that was a great scene.

I didn't love getting the puke in my face.

Oh.

What the shit.

That means she's lying.

[Speaker] Yeah, there we go.

I have such a love for Michael Shannon.

I just think he's the funniest guy.

I don't think anyone realizes how he's so dry and so sharp

and he knows he's funny too.

He'll make these like kind of he quiet side comments

and just have the littlest mark on his face so

that we were doing that scene where he's shoving the cookies

in my face and just screaming.

How about some more cookies, Hugh?

You want some more cookies?

Great.

Hey, maybe Harlan left you a cold glass

of milk in his will, asshole.

Took all of me to not break.

He's just very committed.

Absolutely hilarious, so that might be my favorite scene.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Snowpiercer.

[train roars]

[dramatic music]

[crowd yells]

When I first read the script, I didn't quite get it.

I was like, so what?

Whenever it's a movie that's world building,

you're creating a completely separate environment,

there's just kind of a conceit that you have to say,

Okay so everyone just accepts this,

this is just how it is?

No one's kind of outraged that this is the structure?

That's just the norm, okay.

You kind of have to decide what part

of your brain do you spend time wrapping your head around?

Do you go the intimate road

and just kind of make it about the character?

Do you try and make it about what it took

for that society to level into that place?

It's a challenge, but you get to watch Tilda Swinton

in the movie and you get to watch her approach

to this larger than life character.

Precisely 74% of you shall die.

[weapon clangs]

My friend,

you suffer from the misplaced optimism of the doomed.

Again, we had some good rehearsal on that project as well.

And director Bong is such a visionary.

When you're working with someone that knows exactly

what they want, even if it's not exactly the way you saw it,

it breeds trust.

And as an actor, that's the most important thing,

to trust the director.

Otherwise you're playing defense,

otherwise you're like, All right, well this first take,

I'll do this just so I can at least protect that,

then I'll try this.

But I don't wanna try that 'cause I don't know

if they know how to use that take.

And any take I give them could be used against me.

And when you have a director who is so convinced

of what their vision is, that's when you say,

Great, when you say jump, I'll say, 'How high?'

[dramatic music]

We had those cars on Gimbals, these little like,

they just do like a subtle movement.

So a lot of boat legs, at the end of the day,

you kind of are wobbly, getting back to your hotel room.

Incredibly helpful.

The tangible environment as opposed

to Marvel where you're talking

to green screens and imaginary aliens.

Everything was right there for you to touch and react with.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Sunshine.

Do I have to spell it out for you?

We have a payload to deliver

to the heart of our nearest star.

We're delivering that payload

'cause that star is dying and if it dies, we die.

Everything dies.

So that is our mission, there is nothing,

literally nothing more important

than completing our mission.

He's very ossified in a lot of ways

but he's kind of the engine, he's kind of the moral compass.

He prioritizes the mission first at the cost

of people's feelings.

In a lot of ways, he's very clean,

he believes strongly in what he believes in,

for the most part, selfless

and there's a mission and he's gonna get it done.

And I like that, I like those kind of roles.

We do not have enough oxygen reserves to get us

to our payload delivery point,

let alone to survive the return journey.

So cancel the ticker-tape parade.

I was well aware of Danny Boyle.

I mean, he's a major talent.

He really comes from the theater world too.

So to that end, the approach was very rehearsal based.

In my short career at that point,

I certainly had never had a film that had

that much prep time.

The whole cast got out there a couple weeks before,

Danny had us all live together

in these little apartments for a couple weeks.

Experience loss of space.

We did scuba lessons to experience weightlessness.

He would rent out theaters

to watch these Das Boot and all the right stuff,

just all these movies to put us in the right mindset.

We did tons of rehearsing and it got to a point that

by the time you were filming, you knew what you were doing.

So much of film, you show up for the first day,

and you're meeting the actor for the first time.

You're reading the words for the first time.

That had very much a theater approach,

I think I was a little spoiled actually as a result.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Puncture.

So you're telling the jury the reason my client is fired

was because he falsified his resume,

not because you went above your head

and reported that trucks were not getting fixed

and people were dying as a result.

Correct?

Say yes.

Yes.

That was my first time playing a real person.

And he had passed away a few years prior.

So there's a unique burden that comes with that.

We met his family, met his brother,

and you get you get personal stories

and socially relevant topic

which I was excited to be a part of and a really fun role.

A director, the Kassen brothers, Mark Kassen,

who is now my producing partner and dear friend.

It was a really exciting time,

very creatively satisfying role,

but also a really demanding one.

And that kind of coincided right when I got the offer

to do Captain America

and I had been coming off of Puncture

and was just so content with that type of filmmaking

and Captain America just felt like a different universe.

And I just was really unsure

if that's the world I wanted to drift into.

So that's part of the reasons I kind of was so wary

and said no to Captain America a couple times

because of the experience I had on Puncture.

I just wasn't sure which avenue to take.

In retrospect, you realize that nothing's binary.

You can kind of construct any sort of path you'd like

but at the time it just felt overwhelming.

Yeah, well at least I have the courage

to lose for what's right.

Sometimes on big, big movies,

there's a hundred cooks in the kitchen.

Every decision is filtered through a billion teams

of people and working on Puncture just feels

like a couple people with a camera.

You have a much more intimate hands-on approach

to these aspects

and it just feels maybe a little more protected.

I mean, I've been a part of films where you do your job

and then there's so many steps.

That's the nature of filmmaking.

And then when you see the final product, you say, Wow,

that is not what I thought this was gonna be.

Such as the case with big, big movies.

Smaller movies,

it almost feels like you can guide them

along a bit more because there's just less people involved.

[upbeat music]

[Chris Evans] Pain Hustlers.

I play Pete Brenner, he's a drug rep.

He is representative

of a mentality that's pretty ubiquitous in the field

which is just like, Hey, I'm just doing my job,

just doing my job, it's not my fault.

I'm not the one writing the prescriptions,

I'm not the one killing people,

I'm just passing it from A to B.

So it's kind

of this twisted perspective that absolves anyone

from responsibility of this epidemic.

What specifically drew me was Emily,

her and I are friendly

and we've been looking for something to do together.

Pretty keen on joining regardless,

but the story ended up being very timely and important.

Anytime you can work with a certain caliber

of people on a project that's relevant and important

and moves the needle in social ways, you jump on board.

But I think there's different motivating factors.

Creative appetites drift from one thing to the next.

One time you might just want something that's a comedy,

something that's fun or a horror, suspense.

But sometimes you might even stumble

across an issue that means something to you personally

and then actively go pursue a project

that reflects that issue.

It's a blessing and I'm very creatively satisfied

and personally satisfied that I get

to do that from time to time.