Chris Evans on the different Captain America of Civil War

Chris Evans
Chris Evans

Chris Evans is back as the first Avenger in Captain America: Civil War, which opens in New Zealand this week.

The sequel is highly anticipated by fans for its debut of the new Spider-Man and Black Panther, along with the return of almost all of the Avengers team -- but Evans told Kate Rodger it's changes in the Cap' himself that are most exciting.

"This movie is a little more dynamic than the previous incarnations because it's the first time you've seen him deviate from that compass," says Evans.

"It's not that he's not doing what's right, but he's not doing what is needed by the masses. He's doing what's wanted by himself. It's more of a selfish approach."

Evans is also excited for fans to see how directors the Russo brothers have outdone Winter Soldier with Civil War.

Winter Soldier changed my whole perception of what a superhero film could be and Civil War ups the ante. Did you get a sense with both films that they were going to be special?Certainly, after I saw Winter Soldier I knew it was going to be something unique. The approach to the movie was different to any other movie I'd seen. It felt like a grounded piece of cinema, as opposed to a superhero movie. The characters obviously have superhero abilities, but that wasn't the focal point of the films. It really felt like they had broken into new terrain in terms of not leaning on special effects, and making it all about ability. With Civil War you just knew the Russos were going to try and outdo themselves; you have all these phenomenal actors, unbelievable talents involved, so you knew it was going to be something really special.

How has your relationship with Captain America changed during the five films you've played him?I feel much more comfortable with him, much happier coming in to work every day. I feel far more familiar -- It's not the fear-based approach it was in the beginning, when I was more concerned about whether the fans are going to appreciate what I was doing. Now, there's a comfort, knowing I'm going to be accepted, so I can give as much of my awareness to the project, as opposed to whether or not I'll be liked.

On a personal level, you are so publically and intrinsically entwined with this character. Does that bring its challenges?Yeah I suppose. I can't go to a crowded ball game, you're going to get picked out of the crowd pretty quickly. There's pros and cons.

Captain America feels like my moral compass, more so than any of the other Marvel characters. Is that the case for you too?Absolutely, I think that's what he is. That's what he brings to the team. He's very selfless, very honest, very true. That's why this movie is a little more dynamic than the previous incarnations because it's the first time you've seen him deviate from that compass. It's not that he's not doing what's right, but he's not doing what is needed by the masses. He's doing what's wanted by himself. It's more of a selfish approach.

There's some newbies, some fresh blood that comes in. How did that add to proceedings?They were great. Every Marvel movie has some new faces and Marvel has an unbelievable palate for finding the right people to fit the mould. Everyone that comes in never feels out of place, within a matter of days they just feel like they've always been there. It always feels comfortable, natural and the right moves.

As an actor, how wonderful is it to be Captain America but also nip off and do a gorgeous little thing like Snowpiercer?Yeah it's great. That's the beauty of these movies they afford you the opportunity to go off and do smaller movies and not have to worry about making rent. These movies open a lot of doors, they bring a lot of overseas awareness and I get cast in movies I might not normally get cast in. These movies have been an embarrassment of riches.

...

Captain America: Civil War opens in New Zealand cinemas on May 5.

Newshub.