Chris Evans had initially turned down the role of Captain America
It was Robert Downey Jr. who convinced him to give it a shot
It appears that Hollywood actor Chris Evans wasn't always sold on playing the iconic Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In a recent interview, Evans revealed that he had jitters before taking on the role, reported CNN.
According to the actor, by the time he was offered the role, he had been battling with anxiety for some years which began when he starred as the Human Torch in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
"That was back when the superhero thing was just taking off. I had just been dumped and I needed it," he said. The anxiety eventually resulted in panic attacks by the time he was filming Puncture in 2010.
"It was the first time I started having mini panic attacks on set," he said. "I really started to think, 'I'm not sure if this [acting] is the right thing for me, I'm not sure if I'm feeling as healthy as I should be feeling."
Eventually when the time came for Captain America: The First Avenger, Evans had decided to turn down the role due to the toll on his mental health.
Evans added that Marvel came back with the offer with him being convinced to take the role by nonother than Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr.
“And it really just kind of clicked and it really did start to make sense to me that way, so I said ‘Yeah,’” Evans said. “I think that’s why the whole first movie, my hair was on fire, you’re so scared just like ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe I’m doing this and please don’t backfire, please don’t blow up in my face."
"And not only did it not, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I really owe that to Kevin Feige for being persistent and helping me avoid making a giant mistake...To be honest, all the things that I was fearing never really came to fruition,” he added.
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According to the actor, by the time he was offered the role, he had been battling with anxiety for some years which began when he starred as the Human Torch in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
"That was back when the superhero thing was just taking off. I had just been dumped and I needed it," he said. The anxiety eventually resulted in panic attacks by the time he was filming Puncture in 2010.
"It was the first time I started having mini panic attacks on set," he said. "I really started to think, 'I'm not sure if this [acting] is the right thing for me, I'm not sure if I'm feeling as healthy as I should be feeling."
Eventually when the time came for Captain America: The First Avenger, Evans had decided to turn down the role due to the toll on his mental health.
Evans added that Marvel came back with the offer with him being convinced to take the role by nonother than Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr.
“And it really just kind of clicked and it really did start to make sense to me that way, so I said ‘Yeah,’” Evans said. “I think that’s why the whole first movie, my hair was on fire, you’re so scared just like ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe I’m doing this and please don’t backfire, please don’t blow up in my face."
"And not only did it not, but it was the best decision I’ve ever made, and I really owe that to Kevin Feige for being persistent and helping me avoid making a giant mistake...To be honest, all the things that I was fearing never really came to fruition,” he added.
Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.