Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan discuss Infinity War, the success of the MCU and Hugh Jackman.
With every Marvel fan counting down the days until the release of Avengers: Infinity War, it appears that some of its stars are just as excited and are to willing to add more fuel to the hype machine along the way.
Chris Evans took to the stage at Ace Comic-Con in Arizona this past Saturday, alongside his co-stars Anthony Mackie (Falcon) and Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes). Evans, who has already been seen as Steve Rogers/Captain America five times (not counting cameos), told the eager audience how he finally feels at ease within his role and how he welcomed the chance to work within the MCU yet again:
“That was the best part of this movie, is that you really kind of, it really was for the first time for me feeling like… the first few movies it’s almost like it’s happening to somebody else. You kind of feel like you’re watching it happen, but you’re not actually a part of it. This was kind of the first movie where you actually felt like you had a seat at the table and you belonged and it was so nice to have all these other franchises that you’ve watched and admired come to a set where you’re like ‘oh man, I belong here’, and all these great people are part of a movie that we’re all doing together, and it was just wonderful because all of those franchises, well, let’s be honest. Marvel doesn’t miss. They haven’t missed yet. They’re batting a thousand.”
Evans really isn’t underselling the studio either. According to Box Office Mojo, five of the top ten superhero movies of all time are movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Avengers taking the top spot. After the critical and financial success of the third Thor film in 2017, Marvel is banking on yet another massive year. Two of the most anticipated films of 2018 are both MCU films, Avengers: Infinity War, and Black Panther, which is already forecasted to bring in $120 million during its opening weekend – a sum that would put it ahead of Spider-Man: Homecoming’s massive $117 million first weekend.
“I don’t know how they do that,” Evans said. “They don’t miss and so to see all these actors come together from all these other franchises that I’ve seen as fans be exchanging dialogue with me was overwhelming and really just so satisfying because really truly, there’s not one bad apple.”
Evans was also quick to add praise for the stalwart of the MCU, Robert Downey Jr. It’s no secret that Evans initially turned down his role several times before RDJ himself convinced Evans to return to the world of superheroes (having previously appeared as The Human Torch – Johnny Storm, in Fox’s first two Fantastic Four films).
Whilst their characters may at times be at odds on screen, it appears that this isn’t carried on into their personal lives. Evans was quick to lavish praise on the Iron Man star’s input towards the franchise’s success;
“It’s low-hanging fruit to say [Robert] Downey. He’s such a wonderful guy and is so talented, so experienced, and so supportive… He’s always been in my corner and I’ve always felt supported by him. He really brings everybody into the group and makes sure everyone feels welcome, especially on this last one. He really just opens his arms and it sounds so cheesy, but he makes it a family and none of this would happen without him.”
With the sequel to Infinity War already shot and now in pre-production, speculation has been rife as to how long Downey will continue to reprise his role as the genius, billionaire, playboy philanthropist but Evans went as far as to describe him as being irreplaceable;
“No matter what it feels like for me, I try to imagine what it feels like for him, because he really did start this. He really is so irreplaceable. Nobody can ever be Iron Man. It’s not a role like Superman or Batman that can kind of find different incarnations, no one can touch it.”
With Disney’s recent purchase of Fox, the MCU roster of superheroes will undoubtedly grow and Sebastian Stan couldn’t help but tease the introduction of characters from the X-Men but may have let on a little too much information when he was asked about Hugh Jackman ever appearing as Wolverine alongside the Avengers;
“Recently I happened to be sitting next to Hugh Jackman. I didn’t know what other awkward thing I could talk about but to be like, ‘Am I going to see you soon?’ He said a couple of things to me and I’ll just leave it at that. Otherwise, I feel like I’m going to get into trouble with somebody.
I asked him though because I kept thinking whether or not Logan was supposed to be the last Wolverine thing or whatever and he said to me he’s been thinking about it and it’s been on his mind. So, I don’t know, he may be.”
Jackman has recently gone on record stating that his days as the character have come to an end, but it appears that some of the stars of the MCU still hope that he will have a change of heart.
Sources Screen Rant/Comic book.com