Why Chris Evans Initially Turned Down Captain America

Chris Evans’ Captain America may be a pop culture icon after his time in the MCU, but the celebrated actor almost didn’t take the role. 15 years into the MCU, the pros and cons of joining such a massive Hollywood franchise are likely clearer now to potential actors, directors, and other talent who are approached to be involved. However, in the early days of the franchise – before Iron Man hit the big screen – it’s understandable that things were a bit more murky.

Though his time as Captain America in the MCU appears to be over, Evans appeared in an impressive eight films for Marvel Studios. It’s hard to quantify the effect any one casting has had on the larger MCU, but there’s little doubt that the early days of the series may have struggled just a little bit more without Evan’s charisma, charm, and likability. However, despite seeming to be happy with his decision to ultimately pick up the shield, Chris Evan’s initial concerns are understandable and perfectly reasonable.

Chris Evans Was Initially Unsure Of Playing Captain America

In a recent interview with GQ, Chris Evans discusses, among other things, why he was initially unsure about playing Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America. Before being offered a role in the MCU, Evans already had an established Hollywood career, notably starring in Fox’s Fantastic Four and its sequel. However, once he hit his late 20s, he felt a change in how his career made him feel. According to Evans, “I just wasn’t sure if I was moving closer to myself or further away. And something inside me kept saying that I was getting further away—that something about this industry wasn’t healthy.“

Evans continues, explaining he was particularly worried he would “become deeply, deeply unhappy with fame and loss of control.” Of course, he eventually decided to join the franchise, and he seems to have no regrets about doing so. It may have taken multiple offers to get Evans into the red, white, and blue suit, but it clearly fits him well.

Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America: The First Avenger is a 2011 superhero movie starring Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, a weak patriotic civilian who becomes the test subject for the military’s Super Soldier project. The film was the fifth film in the long-running MCU franchise and also starred Samuel L. Jackson, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, and Sebastian Stan.

Release Date

July 22, 2011

Director

Joe Johnston

Cast

Chris Evans , Hayley Atwell , Hugo Weaving , Sebastian Stan , Tommy Lee Jones , Samuel L. Jackson , Dominic Cooper , Stanley Tucci , Toby Jones

Runtime

124 Minutes

Who Else Was Up For Captain America In The MCU

Though it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role of the MCU’s Captain America, several other actors were in consideration. The upcoming book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (excerpt from Vanity Fair) details a number of them, all of which Marvel Studios leads hoped could embody the positivity and earnestness of Steve Rogers. Perhaps the MCU Phase 5 or 6 can explore one or more of these near-casts via the mutliverse.

Those who auditioned for Steve Rogers include Ryan Phillippe, Jensen Ackles, Chase Crawford, and Garrett Hedlund, all of whom have yet to appear in the MCU. Others, however, eventually found different Marvel roles after Captain America. John Krasinski was a finalist for the role who eventually cameod as the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Wyatt Russell (who later played John Walker), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier), and Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord) were also in consideration for Captain America before finding MCU roles that better fit their talents.