Summary
Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan both made their debuts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avengeras Steve Rogers/Captain Americaand Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier respectively. Both actors would go on to make significant impacts within the MCU in each of their subsequent appearances in the first three phases leading up toAvengers: Endgame.In the five years since that film’s release, both actors would take on other film projects that didn’t involve their super heroics. But while one actor would go on to refine their craft as an actor in exciting dynamic roles in different films, the other would struggle to reaffirm his movie stardom, appearing in several projects that underperformed both critically and commercially.
In the five years since he retired from his role as Steve Rogers, Chris Evans has failed to measure up to his potential as an actor. Despite a promising start with a brilliant performance in Rian Johnson’sKnives Out,nearly every film he has appeared in since has missed the mark.Looking atLightyear, The Gray Man, Ghosted,and nowRed One,none of these projects have expanded his stardom nor pushed him as an actor. Meanwhile, his fellowAvengersco-star Robert Downey Jr.won an Academy Awardfor his performance in Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimer.He also received an Emmy nomination for his performance in Park Chan-Wook’sThe Sympathizer.
In the case of Sebastian Stan, while hestill has an active role in the MCU, his projects elsewhere have been a remarkable showcase of refining his craft as an actor. When he’s not donning the Winter Soldier arm, he’s taking on acclaimed roles such as his Emmy-nominated turn in the miniseriesPam & Tommy,as well as other dynamic filmssuch asDumb Money, A Different Man.Perhaps the most notable isThe Apprentice,in which he portrayed Donald Trump during his early career as a real estate entrepreneur.
What Makes A Movie Star?
Back in 2022,Quentin Tarantino stirred some controversywhen he revealed his thoughts on whether or not actors within the MCU are true movie stars. During his appearance on the “2 Bears, 1 Cave” podcast, he said:
“Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is…you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters […] But they’re not movie stars. Right? Captain America is the star. Or Thor is the star. I mean, I’m not the first person to say that. I think that’s been said a zillion times […] but it’s like, you know, it’s these franchise characters that become a star.”
Chris Evansdoesn’t disagree with Tarantino’s sentiments, tellingGQ in 2023:
“That was the beauty of working on Marvel films. You never really had to be front and center […] Even in your own films sometimes. Quentin Tarantino said it recently and I was like, you know, he’s right. The character is the star. You’re there, but you don’t feel the burden of it.”
The fascinating thing is that while Chris Evans might agree with Tarantino’s sentiment, it’s clear that his post-Endgamechoices have signaled a desire to become an A-list action movie star. After all, his most recent movie was an action vehicle in which he starred alongside Dwayne Johnson. But in seeking out roles in middling films, Evans has ignored the opportunity to explore moredynamic roles like those that Sebastian Stan seeks outwhen he’s not filming another MCU movie.
Beyond his failed movie star vehicles, Chris Evans has made small appearances in films such asFree Guy, Don’t Look Up,andDeadpool & Wolverine,in which he reprised his role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch from the Tim StoryFantastic Fourmovies. Seeing him flaming out earlier this summer was one of the biggest fan service highlights in the entire MCU. But seeing him reappear in the franchise at all, along with the news that he is set to appear in anundisclosed role inAvengers: Doomsdayis a signal that he needs a sure-fire hit.
Some might compare his return to the MCU to Robert Downey Jr. making his returnthrough the role of Doctor Doom. But prior to that, at least audiences saw Downey turn in career-best work inOppenheimer.He reintroduced himself in a brilliant, complicated performance that can only come out of a world-class filmmaker like Christopher Nolan. In Evans’ case, all fans got was one creatively inspired post-Endgameperformance inKnives Out,in which he played a despicable character that couldn’t be more of a polar opposite to the boy scout that is Steve Rogers.
Steve Needs Inspiration From Bucky
Avengers: Doomsdayis expected to start filming in Spring 2025. Chris Evans is likely to reunite with Sebastian Stan on set within the next few months. If Evans is eager for better career opportunities beyond the MCU, he must take a page from Stan’s book in regard to taking on more interesting movie roles.
In some ways, Evans finds himself in a similar predicament as the one that Christopher Reeve found himself in post-Superman.Mainstream audiences still associate Evans with Captain America first and foremost, much like Reeve was, and will always be, most remembered for Superman. However, the luxury of having portrayed an iconic, successful superhero allows actors to have a larger range of choices in the types of movies they can make. As showcased in the incredible documentary,Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story,Reeve sought work both in film and on stage to distinguish himself from Superman.
Chris Evans doesn’t just have Sebastian Stan to look at for inspiration, but also Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch is also an active participant in the MCU as Doctor Strange, but still finds time to work with an acclaimed filmmaker like Jane Campion in an Academy Award-nominated performance inThe Power of the Dog.Evans has worked with great filmmakers in the past, whether it be Rian Johnson withKnives Out,Edgar Wright withScott Pilgrim vs. the World,or Danny Boyle withSunshine.Perhaps he should reach out to them again for future films.
An actor as charismatic and capable as Chris Evans has the potential to diversify his filmography with more dynamic roles, like Sebastian Stan has. It’s all a matter of him making the right choices in regard to refining his craft. Even if he is ultimately remembered most for being Captain America, perhaps his career can be remembered generations from now for more than that. But then again, there’s nothing wrong withbeing most known as Steve Rogers.
