Here’s our penultimate interview with the cast and filmmakers of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and this time it’s the man who plays the title character Chris Evans alongside his superhero side-kick Scarlett Johansson who plays Black Widow.
In the interview get get to hear what it’s like going up against CG characters, what it’s like putting on the uniforms of these iconic comic book heroes and where they see their characters going from here. If you missed them, click this way for our interviews with Samuel L. Jackson, the Directors, Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan.
All our coverage of Captain America: The Winter Soldier can be found here.
This interview contains spoilers
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Were you a fan of comics growing up?
Chris: I didn’t grow up reading comics. I’m a fan now! It’s one of those things where if you want to do these movies, you need to become one! I started reading comics back in the Fantastic Four days and you end up growing up with a really deep appreciation for them. They really are impressive pieces of art. If my kid was going to be stuck in front of comic books or cartoons I’d take the comic books any day.
Would you ever consider using CGI to help bulk you up rather than getting fit for real?
Chris: I’ll tell you who wouldn’t like that and that’s Marvel. CGI costs money!
Scarlett: Every pec costs a dollar! (Laughs)
Chris: It’s not just aesthetics, you need those muscles to do these movies. There are times in a fight sequence where I might need to pick up a 200lb guy and throw him on the ground and it’s really embarrassing when you can’t do it. Then the stunt man will come in and do it effortlessly! You want to try and show these guys who dedicated their lives to this stuff that you’re not just the actor coming on set, with fair inferior ability, you want to do everything you can to match them.
What’s the main differences working on these huge movies compared to the smaller indie films that you’ve made?
Scarlett: Sometimes I’ve done little movies that felt big and big movies that felt intimate. I’ve worked on big movies that bombed and little movies that were successful (or not). Every experience is different. Making movies is hard in every capacity. It’s not like there is more or less pressure because of the budget is big or small.
What is it about these superheroes which are so appealing?
Scarlett: People like action movies, they always have. Big action movies that are in this realm or universe, people respond to them because they’re fun to see. It’s a nice way to escape for a couple of hours, have fun and be entertained. That’s the trend and I think big blockbusters can be trendy too.
Have you got your own franchise for Black Widow
Scarlett: No, it’s no the table I guess.
In the last movie you were going up against CG bad-guys and in the first Captain America you were going up against Hugo Weaving, does it become less difficult working in a less grounded reality in this film?
Chris: Possibly, the more special effects involved the less tangible environment you have to play off. Certainly if you have someone to see, touch and hit then great, and I’ve certainly done things in Avengers where you’re swinging at no one and getting punched by nobody but that’s what makes us actors, make belive. We’re professional liars.
How was playing the more emotional side of Captain America?
Chris: I think without those moments the movie won’t work. You can’t just have special effects you need character arc. One of my favourite moments in the movie where we’re in the bedroom and we’re at [Anthony] Mackie’s place, Falcon’s place and she has a really sweet moment where it’s the first time you actually see Black Widow show uncertainty, vulnerability, a crack in the armour and it’s so human and what makes these movies have depth and no lean solely on effects and throwing punches.
When you’re feeling your costumes do you feel cool or sexy?!
Chris: Try wearing one and tell me how you feel! It’s exciting putting it on and certainly lends itself to the truth of the character and helps with your imagination when tapping into the tangible elements, fantastical fight sequences with aliens is certainly lend itself to that truth. They’re very unconformable to wear and it’s a challenge preparing to wear them, to be in them but they’re serving an element of childhood fantasy and you let yourself get swept away a little bit and remember what it’s like to be a little kid and tie a bedsheet around your neck and pretend to have powers.
Scarlett: Oh, it’s alright! (Laughs). My costumes not as bad as some of the other guys for the comfort level, it’s like a wet suit. There’s always there terrible fear when you put it on and close your eyes and think oh, ok it fits…. then you hope it all stays like that for five months!
Do you like the physicality of your role?
Scarlett: I do, I love the physicality of the role. First of all as actors our body is another tool, and a big one. Certainly in this franchise i’ve had the great challenge of pushing myself to the limit and beyond, physically. I like that, it makes me feel like I’m accomplishing something new, challenging myself and it’s fun, it hurts!
You’ve got a six-picture deal and you’re half way through, there’s a natural conclusion to the character in the comics, do you expect it to go that way?
Chris: I wish I knew how Marvel did what they did because they have the midas touch. I’m sure Kevin Feige has already concocted a certain plotline that he wants to execute but I’ve no idea what they is. That’s part of the excitement of being in the franchise, knowing that you are signed up to these movies, knowing that they are going to be good whatever they are but not having any idea where it’s going to go. It’s exciting and wherever Kevin wants to take it, i’ll follow.
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