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Chris Evans Has Been in 15 Comic Book Movies— Have You Seen Them All?

Before he became Captain America, Chris Evans was no stranger to comic book roles!

By Tom BaconPublished 6 years ago 5 min read
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Chris Evans in Age of Ultron! Image: Marvel Studios

Nowadays, Chris Evans's Captain America has become so iconic, it's hard to imagine him playing the part of any other superhero — but before he became Captain America, Evans was certainly no stranger to comic book roles! From Fantastic Four to Scott Pilgrim Versus The World, here's your guide to Chris Evans's comic book movies...

1. Fantastic Four (2005)

It all began with 2005's Fantastic Four, when Chris Evans was cast as the Human Torch! #FantasticFour was a lot more faithful to the comic books than Fox's 2015 version, and told the story of a group of explorers who were irradiated with cosmic energy. Evans played the character of Johnny Storm with ease, and definitely proved he was, ah, 'hot stuff'!

2. TMNT (2007)

The design of Casey Jones! Image: Warner Bros.

Chris's next comic book role is perhaps his most obscure. Back in 2007, he took on a role in the animated TMNT movie! Evans voiced the character of Casey Jones, boyfriend of Sarah Michelle Gellar's April O'Neil. The movie faced the Turtles against dangerous ancient threats beyond anything they'd encountered in comics and films before, and was a tremendous commercial success. Although it was a Turtles film, Evans's Casey Jones and Gellar's April O'Neil were very much the stars of the show.

3. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)

Following up 2005's Fantastic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer continued the adventures of the cosmic team. This time round, the Fantastic Four were pitted against the threat of Galactus, Devourer of Worlds. It was a kooky, camp superhero film, and was heavily criticized. Comic book fans in particular were angered at the movie's redesign of Galactus. Although a sequel was planned, the poor box office performance of Rise of the Silver Surfer led to Fox discontinuing the series. They'd only return to the franchise for 2015's Fantastic Four relaunch.

4. Push (2009)

Chris Evans in Push. Image: Summit Entertainment

A moderate box office success, Push charted the story of a group of superhumans teaming together against a deadly government conspiracy. Chris Evans played the starring role of Nick Grant, a psychic who strove to prevent the government taking advantage of these superpowers. Although Push didn't start out as a comic book movie, I'm counting this in the list because a tie-in comic was published by Wildstorm (an imprint of DC Comics).

5. The Losers (2010)

A very different role! Image: Warner Bros.

Based on the Vertigo comic series, The Losers is an action film that feels similar in tone to the classic A-Team TV series. It told the story of an elite black ops team who faked their own deaths and wound up uncovering a shadowy government conspiracy. Chris Evans played Captain Jake Jensen, who was essentially the comic relief (in case that wasn't clear from the image above).

6. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)

Not a hero here! Image: Universal

Based on Bryan Lee O'Malley's popular Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World graphic novel series, Chris Evans got to play a member of the League of Evil Exes — a group of guys (and one girl) who band together to defeat the partners of their mutual ex, Ramona Flwoers. Evans played Lucas Lee, a super-strong skateboarder turned movie star. Although Evans enjoyed his time with the film, he later told Collider that this role only involved about 3 weeks of filming; he didn't exactly have a major part.

As surprising as it may seem to us now, #Marvel's decision to cast Chris Evans as #CaptainAmerica was initially pretty controversial. Comic book fans couldn't understand how he could move from one Marvel property (Fantastic Four) to another. This was particularly the case because, back in 2010, there were rumors Fox was about to give Marvel the Fantastic Four property back; some fans were hoping Marvel would just absorb the earlier films into the #MCU, with Chris Evans reprising his role of the Human Torch. Instead, Evans became Captain America, and immediately demonstrated his potential.

8. The Avengers (2012)

A famous scene! Image: Marvel Studios

Chris Evans's Captain America next appeared in the blockbuster hit The Avengers, featuring an epic plot that united Marvel's heroes against the threat of Loki. Evans got top billing, alongside Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man. The film is adored by superhero fans, and still tops the box office chart for superhero films.

9. Snowpiercer (2013)

Another very different character. Image: CJ Entertainment

Based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige, Snowpiercer is a sci-fi thriller that charts a dystopian ice age future. Critical reception was tremendous, and Chris Evans gained particular praise; he played the starring role of Curtis Everett, an intelligent revolutionary leader. It was Evans's history of non-superhero roles that got him this part, as casting directors initially thought of him as little more than 'American muscle'.

There's an unexpected Chris Evans cameo in Thor: The Dark World, in which Loki morphs into the form of Captain America and mocks the iconic hero.

11. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

A darker colorscheme for this action-spy film! Image: Marvel Studios

One of Marvel's most popular films to date, Winter Soldier pitted Chris Evans's Captain America against a dark political conspiracy. With smart nods to present-day issues (such as the NSA hacking exposed by Edward Snowden), Winter Soldier is easily one of the most intelligent superhero films yet released. Evans's effortless portrayal of Steve Rogers is a real fan-favorite.

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Leader of the Avengers! Image: Marvel Studios

Although the sequel to 2012's The Avengers wasn't as well-received as the original, it was still a blockbuster hit. Age of Ultron united the original team against a deadly android, and featured the same entertaining character beats as the original.

13. Ant-Man (2015)

Chris Evans made an unexpected return in the post-credit scene of Ant-Man, which pointed the way to Captain America: Civil War.

14. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

A stunning and famous poster! Image: Marvel Studios

The third of the Captain America trilogy, Civil War is as much Avengers 2.5 as anything else. The superhero community schisms over the controversial Sokovia Accords, while a personal vendetta pits Chris Evans's Captain America and Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark against one another. It's a powerful film, almost pitch-perfect, with some tremendous character beats.

15. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Steve Rogers gives sage advice! [Credit: Marvel Studios / Sony Pictures]

#SpiderManHomecoming featured a series of hilarious cameos from Chris Evans's Captain America, with the hero giving sage advice in school videos played at key moments. Apparently, not all of these scenes made the final film, but they'll be released on the Blu-Ray as a special feature!

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About the Creator

Tom Bacon

A prolific writer and film fan, Tom has a deep love of the superhero genre.

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