Marvel fans can't imagine anyone else playing Captain America than Chris Evans but the fact is, it almost did not happen. Evans revealed that he turned down the iconic role several times due to anxiety and panic attacks. Fortunately, some people convinced him to take it and one of them was Robert Downey Jr.
During The Hollywood Reporter's Award Chatter podcast, Evans opened up about his casting as Steve Rogers, a.k.a. Captain America. The actor admitted that he almost turned it down but was later on convinced to take the shield.
Evans recalled that when he portrayed Johnny Storm, in Fantastic Four movies in 2005 and 2007, he started to suffer from severe anxiety. He said it was because he felt that the better movies he starred in like Danny Boyle's Sunshine did not achieve the success he expected.
Evan said he experienced panic attacks on the set of his 2010 movie Puncture. From then on, he started thinking that acting may not be for him.
Then, Marvel Studios reached out to him if he could come for screen testing for the part of Steve Rogers. Evans was told that he might do a nine-film deal if he did well. The Defending Jacob actor, however, declined to come in and test for the part because of his concern that his anxiety would grow worse.
Marvel then offered him a modified deal with fewer films but a bigger paycheck if he came in for a screen test. Again, Evans turned it down, worrying that the pressure of fame that will follow if he plays the iconic character would get the better of him.
Marvel continued to pursue Evans to the point that the film studio offered him the part without conducting a screen test. The actor said aside from Marvel's persistence and commitment in signing him in, he also talked to Robert Downey Jr., a therapist, and some friends and family members before he eventually agreed to be Captain America. The Marvel Cinematic Universe started in 2008 with RDJ playing Tony Stark/ Iron Man.
Now that he is done playing Captain America, Evans has no regrets at all. The actor confessed that he fell in love with Steve Rogers and he is grateful for the friendship that he found with his fellow Avengers stars.
Evans portrayed Captain America in seven Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. It started in 2011's Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger, followed by The Avengers the following year. Captain America: The Winter Soldier was released in 2014 and a year later, there was Avengers: Age of Ultron. Captain America: Civil War followed in 2016, Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, and finally in Avengers: Endgame last year.
Evans currently stars in Apple TV+'s Defending Jacob. He plays the role of Andy Barber, father of a 14-year-old boy who is accused of murder.
