While some fans might wish superhero movies would embrace the escapism of spectacle, certain characters can’t escape their political nature. When you’re a guy basically wearing the U.S. flag across your chest as you race into battlefields here and abroad, it’s part of the job. But during a time when the country is so divided, what does it mean to play Captain America? That’s the question Nerdist posed to Chris Evans on the set of Avengers: Infinity War.
On Twitter, Evans has never shied from sharing his thoughts, and particularly his disappointment in President Donald Trump. But in costume as Captain America, the MCU star was far more reserved when it came to talking politics. So what does playing the hero mean to him now?
“I don’t know,” Evans said. “I mean, it’s certainly a tricky environment, we can all agree on that. Everyone’s very polarized, and it’s very divisive. So I guess it’s nice playing a character that does his best to not let his political bias dictate his choices, because I know I’m certainly guilty of doing that at times. I think we all are. It’s tough to know how to behave when it feels like the rules have just been blurred on both sides. Things that shouldn’t be effective are, and that can make everyone’s compass a little wonky. And it’s nice to play a character that has a very austere approach to reality. It’s comforting, I suppose.”
In a separate interview, Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk, touched upon one of the MCU’s emerging socio-political messages: the importance of diversity. Speaking of the MCU’s heroes joining forces in Infinity War, Ruffalo said, “There’s no way to overcome what they’re facing without in some way coming to terms with their differences and embracing their diversity. That’s essentially a core value of the film and that together, only together, can they triumph.”
Avengers: Infinity War opens April 27th. Look for more from our set visit in the coming days.
What do you want to see from Captain America in Avengers: Infinity War?
Images: Walt Disney Pictures
MORE ONÂ INFINITY WAR!
- How Infinity War connects to Captain America: Civil War
- How Black Panther and Thor: Ragnarok influenced Infinity War
- How Wakanda is essential to surviving Infinity War
