“We’ve got to do this more often”—well said, Ransom. No one could have played him better than Captain America himself, Chris Evans. Indeed, over the years, the Massachusetts native has gone from that recognizable face from small efforts like The Perfect Score and Not Another Teen Movie to a quintessential, Marvel-beloved A-lister. Besides his go-to role as Steve Rogers, Evans has also extended his reach to film adaptations of comic books and graphic novels, such as TMNT (2007), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) and Snowpiercer (2013). His work on the Marvel series, however, established him as one of the world’s highest-paid actors.
In addition to gracing the screen, Evans made his directorial debut in 2014 with the romantic drama Before We Go, which he also produced and starred in. He made his Broadway debut in 2018’s acclaimed revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s play Lobby Hero, which earned Evans a Drama League Award nomination. It was just reported that Evans will portray Singin’ in the Rain icon Gene Kelly in an upcoming biopic. As we count the days until his next on-screen appearance, here’s a closer look Evans’ finest works to date.
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5 Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
Via Universal Pictures
It’s hard to forget Evans’ scene-stealing supporting performance in this cult comedy—especially with the recent news that a Scott Pilgrim anime series is now being developed.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Critics raved, but no one came to Edgar Wright’s 2010 feature, unfortunately. Based on the graphic novel series Scott Pilgrim by Bryan Lee O’Malley, the adventure thrill ride stars Michael Cera as Scott, a slacker musician who tries to win a competition to get a record deal while also battling the seven evil exes of his newest girlfriend Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead). The film premiered at San Diego’s Comic-Con in July 2010 and was re-released for its 10th anniversary in the U.S. in 2021.
The film uses famous features of its Toronto setting and matches the style of video game and comic book imagery. It used real musicians, including Beck, as a basis for each fictional group in the “battle of the bands” plot, with some of the actors also performing. A combination of digital and physical methods were used to create the extensive visual effects.
It’s too bad that the box-office bomb failed to recoup its $85 million production budget, but critics praised its visual style and humor. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World has made several top ten lists and was even shortlisted for the Best Visual Effects category at the 83rd Academy Awards. Evans supplies plenty of hilarious one-liners that have been repeated by fans over the years. “Sometimes I let him do the wide shots…when I feel like gettin’ blazed in my Winnie” is just one example, which Evans’ celebrity character recites in reference to a stunt double. The list of quotables goes on and is just one reason why Scott Pilgrim made our top 5 list for Evans.
4 Snowpiercer (2013)
Via RADiUS/TWC
Bong Joon-ho, the mastermind behind the recent Oscar-showered Parasite, made his English-language feature debut with Snowpiercer in 2013. This post-apocalyptic sci-fi action film based on the French graphic climate fiction novel stars Chris Evans plus an equally stellar cast including Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt and Ed Harris. It takes place aboard a sprawling train that travels a globe-spanning track, carrying the last remnants of humanity after a failed attempt at climate engineering to stop global warming has created a new “snowball Earth.” A dynamite Evans plays one of the lower-class, tail-section passengers who rebels against the elite at the front of the train.
Snowpiercer received critical acclaim and appeared on many film critics’ top ten lists of 2014 after its international release, with praise for its vision, direction and performances, particularly that of Evans. Initially planned for a limited-screen showing in the U.S., the critical response prompted The Weinstein Company to expand the showing to more theaters and to digital streaming services.
3 Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Image via The Verge
As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with a fellow Avenger and S.H.I.E.L.D agent to battle a new threat from history. Captain America: The Winter Soldier is the direct sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger, which didn’t exactly receive rave reviews. The 2014 follow-up, however, was a critical and commercial hit, with Evans really sinking his teeth into the role this time around. It’s also a hoot seeing him share the screen with none other than Robert Redford, whose juicy supporting turn is a good enough reason alone to see this installment. The film explores S.H.I.E.L.D., similarly to how the first film explored the U.S. military, after Rogers was shown working for the agency in the MCU crossover film The Avengers (2012). It went on to gross over $714 million worldwide and even received an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.
2 Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Via Marvel
After the devastating events depicted in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War, the MCU is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’s actions and undo the chaos to the universe, no matter what consequences may be in store, and no matter who they face.
Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the same guys who did Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the film features an impressive ensemble cast including Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Benedict Wong, Jon Favreau, Bradley Cooper, Gwyneth Paltrow and Josh Brolin. Avengers: Endgame serves as a conclusion to the story of the MCU up to that point, ending the story arcs for several main characters.
The film received praise for its direction, acting, visual effects, and emotional weight. The film grossed $2.798 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of all time at the time. It received numerous awards and nominations, including a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the 92nd Academy Awards. Even among an expansive cast of A-listers, Evans remains a standout as Captain America.
1 Knives Out (2019)
Via Lionsgate
When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan’s disfunctional family (including Evans as the devious Ransom) to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan’s untimely death.
Knives Out was written and directed by Rian Johnson, who was perhaps best known for directing Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. But fans of Johnson’s more intimate effort, Knives Out, should also check out his earlier filmography, particularly Brick (2005), a high school neo-noir that is expertly crafted.
Knives Out, meanwhile, features an ensemble cast that also includes Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette and Lakeith Stanfield. The film received critical acclaim, particularly for its screenplay, directio, and acting and grossed $311.4 million worldwide against just a $40 million budget. In addition to the deserved recognition it received at 2020’s major award shows, it was reported in March 2021 that Netflix had agreed to pay $469 million for the rights to two sequels to be written and directed by Johnson, with Craig reprising his role as detective Benoit Blanc. Filming for Knives Out 2 wrapped in September 2021.
