Chris Evans on Being Captain America: "You're Not Free to Just Go Be a Jackass"

"It's not like Cap has that many friends, you know what I mean? His life is his work. And Natasha [Scarlett's character] kind of gives him a hard time about that . . . just getting him dating, finding a social life, finding yourself outside of your work.

So it's nice, with Scarlett, when the dialogue just feels like the way people speak. It's so nice because it's human. And there's a lot of that in this movie. My favorite scenes are the scenes with Scarlett. The Russos [codirectors Anthony and Joe] could be blowing smoke, but it sounds like they agree. Our characters both have issues in this movie. It's just such an odd pairing. We're such different people. Her moral compass is for sale, and Steve is a boy scout. So it's interesting to see what they find in each other.

And outside of the movie, Scarlett and I have known each other for a long time, we just constantly make jokes about how many movies we've made together, so it's very effortless. We get along very well, and I think that shows on screen. "

"It's a strange thing to have to funnel through your brain any time you have to make a decision. It's so interesting when you meet little kids and that resonates, when that hits home. It's easy to think it and assume it, but then when you meet a kid and it's like, 'Man, this kid really looks up to me. What a strange thing. You don't even know me!' I remember feeling that way when I was a kid about certain things, and that's a beautiful thing. Not to sound cheesy, but it's really cool. So you owe that to them.

That's part of the responsibility of this job, and that's a tricky thing that I was questioned about. It's interesting the parallels of Steve's character and just me in life. The parallels of what you owe as an actor. Where's the line? What do I owe people? I know I chose to be in a profession that compromises my anonymity, but does that mean you need to know where I go on vacation or what my dog's name is?

I categorize the way kids view you as something you owe, and it's your responsibility. If you make stupid mistakes in your life, it tarnishes their image of you, that's on you. You're not free to just go be a jackass; 'cause I was before."

"Well, Cap feels pretty comfortable in the structure he's given. You know, he likes to serve, he likes to take orders. He's like a herding dog, he needs tasks.

I think the issue in the first two [movies] — Captain America and Avengers — Captain America was about giving him the opportunity, then he got the opportunity, and he was thrust into a different world. And The Avengers, there were so many characters it's tough to kinda spend too much time with any one. And on this movie it's about him trying to not just acclimate to the modern world, but I think it's always been Cap's goal to do what's right. To be of service, to help where he can.

In this movie, I think the question is, well, what is right? I think it was a lot easier in the '40s to know who the evil was — there's no disputing Nazis are bad. Now it becomes a little bit more of a difficult answer, there's a lot more of a gray area. What is the right thing? And are you of service to that cause? That's where it becomes a tricky dispute for Cap, because things were just done differently in the '40s and threats are different now and precautionary measures that are taken now can be questionable. They're somewhat suspect in his eyes. So it's a tough hurdle for him to jump."

"I'd really be kicking myself if I hadn't done this. Oh my god, I'd really be kicking myself. You know, it was just a matter of adjusting to lifestyle changes.

My team told me this in the beginning, because they knew I was apprehensive too, they said: 'It comes in waves.' You gotta respect the fact that when a movie comes out, there's gonna be a surge, and there's gonna be some changes, but then it's gonna go away. It'll die back down just like any actor. When a movie comes out, you get a little bit more of a spotlight on you, then it goes away. So you can monitor it. It's not like once these movies are out, your life is forfeited and you don't have any more control. So you just gotta take those periods of time in stride and understand that it'll pass and things will go back to a relative level of normalcy.

Aside from that, I love doing these movies 'cause they're good. You know, it's been one of the tricky things in my career — I'm sure you've seen some of my not-so-good movies — and it's disappointing when you put a lot of time and effort and sweat. Oh, it sucks. When you see the movie, you're like, 'That is not what I read.' And [with] these movies, you don't have to feel that.

But I've begun to just put my faith and trust in Kevin Feige and all the guys at Marvel. They're so good at what they do. Their internal barometer of what is good and bad is pretty on point. Not just from the standpoint of the movie, but everything. Marketing and trailers and wardrobe. It's just gonna look right. So it's scary diving into such a big endeavor. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work on a massive scale, but you feel a little bit more comfort in that you trust the people that are making these movies. That's what acting's about. Trust. If you don't trust someone, every single take, you're going to be holding back, and it's nice to let go."

"Now it's getting tricky — I don't know how to answer these [questions]! Well, I mean, the stakes are high. That was one of Steve's biggest sources of guilt, the fact that out of his whole group of Howling Commandos — these guys that he gets to come to battle with him — he's the one guy who didn't make it back. And that was the one guy that was always there for him.

Then, to find out that he did make it and was subject to some of the things he was subject to; that's a lot for Steve to process and he takes full responsibility, because he wouldn't do it any other way. It means a lot."