Chris Evans says that he was unsure about playing Captain America, also known as Steve Rogers, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because the character doesn't have any "real darkness."
"There's no real darkness to him," recalled during a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter. "How do I make this guy someone you want to watch?"
The actor went on to cite other comic book characters that have intense backgrounds, like Bruce Wayne/Batman, whose parents were killed when he was a child and Wolverine, whose life was filled with deaths and wars.
"I don't get jokes," Evans said."I'm not Wolverine. I don't have dead parents, like Batman. I'm just, like, 'Hi, I'll walk your dog. I'll help you move.'"
Evans also went on to say that he declined Marvel's offers to play the character, who acts based on a strict moral code and takes on a leadership role within the Avengers team, twice.
"You see the pictures, and you see the costumes, and it's cool," he said. "But I'd now woken up the day after saying no and felt good, twice."
Evans eventually gave in and first appeared as Cap in "Captain America: The First Avenger." The 2011 movie told the character's origin story, from growing up in Brooklyn and being eager to join the US Army to getting injected with a serum and being given super strength.
He went on to establish his place as a fan-favorite Marvel superhero in subsequent films: "The Avengers" (2012), "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014), "Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)," and "Captain America: Civil War" (2016). Most recently, he starred in "Avengers: Infinity War" and Cap was one of the few characters remaining after Thanos' snap that wiped out half of the universe's population.
Next, the 37-year-old actor will portray Captain America in "Avengers: Endgame," which hits theaters on Friday, April 26. In the film, Cap and the surviving superheroes will work together to figure out how to bring back the fallen heroes.
Fans have also speculated that "Endgame" will be Evans' last movie as the iconic character.
In a New York Times profile that was published in March 2018, Evans was quoting saying, "You want to get off the train before they push you off," while discussing his role.
After wrapping up production on the fourth "Avengers" film in October 2018, he also shared an emotional tweet that led fans to believe he's done with the part.
"Playing this role over the last 8 years has been an honor," he wrote. "To everyone in front of the camera, behind the camera, and in the audience, thank you for the memories! Eternally grateful."
—Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) October 4, 2018
However, "Avengers: Infinity War" co-director Joe Russo spoke to the Associated Press and said that Evans isn't "done yet."
"I don't want to explain what that means but the audience will soon understand what I'm talking about."
- Read more about "Avengers: Endgame":
- 'Avengers: Endgame' released 32 posters that each highlight a superhero, including the fallen characters from 'Infinity War'
- There's a mysterious person in the 'Avengers: Endgame' trailer and fans think she could be a beloved character from Marvel comic books
- Here are all the Marvel movies referenced in the newest 'Avengers: Endgame' trailer
- 13 details you may have missed in the new 'Avengers: Endgame' trailer
