Summary
- Chris Evans wasn't a big comic book reader before starring in Fantastic Four, but he has since become well-versed in superhero stories.
- Evans was ecstatic to play Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four, as it was one of his biggest roles at the time, and he could relate to the character's youthful exuberance.
- Despite not being initially into comic books, Evans has now played major roles in both Marvel and DC projects, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Marvel star Chris Evans is Captain America. For an entire generation of fans, the actor is and always will be synonymous with the role of Steve Rogers and his super-powered alter ego in the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). But before Iron Man (2008) marked the beginning of the MCU, Evans starred as another Marvel Comics’ hero in 2005’s Fantastic Four. However, he didn’t have much knowledge of comic books back in those days. Evans said in an interview with GQ:
“I wasn’t a big comic book reader. I mean, I’ve read a lot now. But, at the time — and aside from like the ‘80s and early ‘90s [with] Batman, Superman, things like that — that new wave of superhero films, the Spider-Man, the X-Men, they had just begun. So, it was really exciting. Marvel hadn’t even kind of taken back their name yet. So, that film [Fantastic Four] was at Fox.”
Evans portrayed the role of the literal hothead, Johnny Storm, whose superpowers enabled him to be the only member of the Fantastic Four who could fly. Johnny was Sue Storm’s (Jessica Alba) little brother, and his youth and exuberance made him one of the more appealing but unpredictable members of the group. Evans continued:
"It was one of the bigger movies I had done up until that point, so I was ecstatic. And it was a fun role to play. He was full of life. And he reacted the way I probably would’ve reacted if I was given superpowers.”
Chris Evans Wasn’t Initially Into Comic Books
Starting with 2008’s Iron Man, the MCU began building up its team of superheroes which led up to the unveiling of Marvel’s Avengers in 2012. Chris Evans had already starred in the Marvel Comics-based movies Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), but the actor made the move and took up the vibranium shield of Captain America in 2011.
Evans reprized the role of Steve Rogers from Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), and the character fought alongside five other extraordinary heroes to make up the super-powered Avengers squad. And after helping vanquish Ultron (James Spader) and Thanos (Josh Brolin), Captain America returned the Infinity Stones, lived a full life with Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and turned his famed shield over to his friend and colleague the Falcon (Anthony Mackie).
While comic books might not have been a big part of Evans’ life back in 2005, as he suited up to play the Human Torch, aka Johnny Storm, today he’s one of the rare actors to have played major roles in both Marvel and DC projects. In 2010, Evans starred as Jensen in The Losers. The action film was based on a title appearing as a part of the DC Comic’s imprint known as Vertigo. And, of course, it would be bad form not to mention his roles in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Snowpiercer and, yes, even the CGI TMNT adventure in 2007.
Chris Evans will soon star alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the festive action flick, Red One, and alongside Emily Blunt in Netflix's Pain Hustlers.