Captain America has been through a lot since being woken up in the 21st century. He’s saved the planet from both alien invaders and killer robots, but also saw his faith in the system totally shattered when Hydra took down S.H.I.E.L.D. from the inside. It’s a combination of these experiences that lead him to go against the restricting Sokovia Accords introduced in the upcoming Captain America: Civil War. What makes this decision even more notable, though, is that Chris Evans thinks that Steve Rogers would have supported that same agreement if it had been put in front of him back in the 1940s.
After seeing Captain America: Civil War earlier this month, I found myself wondering if the 1940s era Steve Rogers would have been game for signing a document akin to the Sokovia Accords – and thanks to my wonderful job, I had the opportunity to ask Chris Evans that very question one day later. The actor had to think about his answer, but ultimately decided that Steve would have signed, and explained why:
It would have been tough. It would have been tough. Cap’s always been a very binary guy. This is this, that’s that. And he works in a world of black and white. What a good question – would he have signed. I think back then in the 1940s, prior to Cap being Cap, I think he would have sided with whatever his government wanted. I think initially Steve, before he was Cap, really wanted to be of service and to help in any way he could. If his government wanted it, he would have done it. I think to some degree there is a beautiful nobility in that, but I think to some degree a level of naivety.
Going further, Chris Evans also expressed that the modern world has definitely taken its toll on Captain America – particularly his ability to trust the system that he once pledged undying loyalty towards. He has seen some terrible things unfold that have threatened millions of lives, and it leads him to believe that he can pretty much only have faith in himself and those closest to him. Said Evans,
I think through Cap’s evolutions, especially though Winter Soldier, he’s seen the corruption of the system and how Hydra infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., and that’s why in this film he’s all of a sudden dancing to a different beat, where a guy who is normally is the company man saying that the safest hands are our own. It’s tough for him, because he’s always believed in a hierarchy and a system and structure. It’s been a bit of a departure for him to say, ‘Listen, I don’t want to sign this.’
You can watch Chris Evans’ full response in the video below:
Knowing Chris Evans’ perspective on how Captain America would have reacted a Sokovia Accords-esque agreement in the 1940s, it’s interesting to note that within the Marvel Cinematic Universe he’s experienced an arc that is the polar opposite of Tony Stark/Iron Man’s (in Iron Man 2, Tony fights against government control over his suit, but by the time Captain America: Civil War rolls around has completely changed his mind). It’s a pretty incredible thing when you think about the mapping of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and how things have been planned to play out over the last eight years.
We have a lot more content from our interviews with the cast and filmmakers behind Captain America: Civil War leading up to the movie’s release on May 6th (and after), so stay tuned!
Fallout's Ella Purnell Shares How She'd Like Lucy To Change In Season 2, And I’m On Board With All Of It
Tracker's Justin Hartley Welcomes Jensen Ackles As Colter's Brother, And I'm Flashing Back to Supernatural
Critics Have Seen Unsung Hero, See What They’re Saying About The Faith-Based Story Of A Famous Musical Family
