Chris Evans has shared the glory of Marvel Studios with Robert Downey Jr. for decades now. Both built the foundations of their careers through the franchise, not just playing Captain America and Iron Man, but embodying them to their best abilities. With how iconic both the actors have become in their respective roles, it is safe to say that they know what they are doing in the superhero genre.
However, this was a train that Downey Jr. almost rode alone. It would seem that Evans was convinced by Tony Stark himself to play Steve Rogers, and the story is heartwarming.
Chris Evans did not want to play Captain America
Captain America has been one of the biggest superheroes in the world, even before he was adapted to film. The comics are iconic, and his following is devoted, making him beloved in a way that very few characters are. With this in mind, anyone who is considered for the role would be stupid to turn it down.
![Chris Evans as Captain America in Civil War [Credit Marvel Studios]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/19044957/Chris-Evans-as-Captain-America-in-Civil-War-Credit-Marvel-Studios-1024x576.jpg "Chris Evans Won't Return as Captain America But Has a Special Mesaage For Robert Downey Jr For Making Him Feel Valuable 1")
While this is commonly believed, many may not know that Chris Evans initially rejected the role. Recently, the actor gave an interview with ScreenRant along with Dakota Johnson for the promotion of their upcoming film, Materialists. Here, they were asked about one moment in their professional life where an actor, a director, or a partner made them feel valuable.
I said ‘no’ a few times. I don’t know. I just didn’t wanna do it. I was scared. I was intimidated. I didn’t know. It was a big commitment, and I was kind of thinking of leaving acting in general.
Evans was quick to confess that Robert Downey Jr. was the first to make him feel like this. Starting off, he mentioned that he was reluctant to play the role of Captain America for a number of reasons. He understood the responsibility that came with playing such a character, and he felt seriously intimidated.
In fact, Evans even confessed that he was considering quitting acting as a whole, as he had been doing it for ten years without much success. While this could have been enough to make him not take the role of Steve Rogers, Downey Jr. came in just at the right time.
Robert Downey Jr. to the rescue!
One would assume that Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans became good friends after they were both cast in their Marvel roles. Having to play Iron Man and Captain America, they would have had to become good friends on the set of the first Avengers film. However, Evans revealed that it was even before he was cast in the role of Steve Rogers that he felt a connection with Downey Jr.
Since Iron Man was the first film to be released from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Downey Jr. was present when everyone was being cast in their respective roles. While one can imagine that he did not have much say in the matter, he did seem to have some power when Captain America was being cast.
I might even say Downey. I made movies for 10 years prior to jumping onto [MCU]. He was the one who kind of talked me into it. I didn’t want to take the role. I said ‘no’ a few times, and he was the one who kind of gave the nudge.
It would seem that Marvel was dead-set on casting Evans in the role, even though he had denied it for his own reasons. As a final Hail Mary, they decided to send Tony Stark himself to convince Evans to join the cast. It would seem that it worked, and he ended up playing the role of his lifetime.
While this could have been a simple moment of connection, the question that reminded Evans of this experience is extremely heartwarming. The actor labeled this to be the first time he had felt valuable in his professional life, even though he had been acting for ten years before that. With this, the connection that the two actors share outside of their roles in the MCU seems more genuine than anything.
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