Chris Evans has constructed up fairly the resume as an actor, and continues to be one in every of Hollywood’s finest main males. Nonetheless, his legacy will all the time be tied to his most iconic position as Steve Rogers, a.ok.a. Captain America. OG Marvel followers will keep in mind this wasn’t his first gig as a Marvel Superhero, as he beforehand starred within the Unbelievable 4 films. Now, one in every of Evans’ co-stars on that movie is recalling their response to studying he’d been tapped to play the Sentinel of Liberty by Marvel Studios.
Earlier than there was Pedro Pascal as Mr. Unbelievable and Joseph Quinn because the Human Torch, there was Ioan Gruffudd and Chris Evans, respectively, enjoying the roles within the Unbelievable 4 movies of the 2000s. Whereas the 2025 summer time blockbuster First Steps was the official MCU debut for the household of superheroes, Gruffudd and Evan’s portrayals — in addition to these of co-stars Jessica Alba and Michael Chiklis — had been the primary reside motion introductions of the characters on the massive display screen (except for the shelved 1994 movie). Whereas some followers had been shocked that Evans was forged as Cap again in 2010, Gruffud instructed Vulture that he by no means doubted the casting:
It made sense to me. I imply, I can think about there have been followers of comics that had been a bit jarred by the actual fact. However, when you concentrate on it, he’s completely excellent for the position — and he performed it completely. Bodily, Chris labored as Captain America, and he simply represents that half, and once you went to see the film, you go, Yep, there’s the explanation why he was forged.
There’s no denying Chris Evans match the position of Captain America, together with his now-gone biceps and all-American bravado. The truth is, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has tried to move the Captain America torch a couple of instances since Steve Rogers exit in Avengers: Endgame, introducing a number of candidates reminiscent of Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson and Wyatt Russell’s John Walker. Whereas Sam is now forging his personal path, there’s simply one thing about Evans’ portrayal of Steve.
For sure, whereas some followers had been “jarred” over the casting determination, I agree with Ioan Gruffud that the selection made sense. It is for that motive that I, too, miss seeing Evans’ Rogers within the MCU. After all, nobody is ever really gone from the MCU till you see a useless physique on display screen. Plus, given the MCU’s Multiverse Saga remains to be enjoying out, there’s an opportunity he might return.
The truth is, even iterations of pre-MCU Marvel characters aren’t out of the fold. On that be aware, Chris Evans reprised his position as Johnny Storm for the 2024 movie Deadpool & Wolverine. In the identical Vulture interview, Gruffudd responded to Evans’ reprisal and shared some optimistic ideas. And, given how nice it’s, it is arduous in charge the Welsh actor for holding that view.
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Contemplating these multiversal developments, I’ve to marvel if we might presumably see the return of former variations of the Unbelievable 4, even the characters from Josh Trank’s 2015 film. Whereas I believe one other model of Evans’ Johnny Storm is out of the query after his brutal evisceration by Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine, maybe Ioan Gruffudd’s Reed Richards might step by the multiverse in an identical option to Garfield and Maguire’s Spider-Males?
Even when he does not return because the beloved super-stretchy scientist followers know and love, the Titanic actor has proven curiosity in becoming a member of the MCU, maybe this time as a villain. Ought to that occur, I might even be curious to listen to what Evans thinks about his colleague taking up a recent Marvel position.
We’ll simply have to attend and see all of the surprises in retailer, and with all of the upcoming Marvel initiatives set to launch over the following few years, something is feasible. Till then, you’ll be able to brush up in your MCU lore and take a look at Chris Evans and Ioan Gruffudd’s two Unbelievable 4 films utilizing a Disney+ subscription.