Over the past years, we've gotten to know Chris Evans as Captain America, our favorite goody-two-shoes superhero turned war criminal. But now the actor has been dropping hints he'll be done with the Marvel Cinematic Universe after the next two Avengers films. Will the character die, retire, or switch allegiances, becoming Captain Canada? We'll have to wait and see.
Now the 36-year-old actor is preparing for the next phase of his career. He's about to make his Broadway debut in the play "Lobby Hero," and no, that's not a new, really lame superhero character. In the role of Bill, Evans subverts his clean-cut virtuous image, playing a narcissistic creep with a horseshoe mustache. In a lengthy interview with The New York Times, the actor ruminates about his career and reveals he's really gotten into tap dancing. (Hopefully we see these tap skills in Avengers: Infinity War.)
Although Lobby Hero was written 17 years ago, it explores themes that are very relevant in the #MeToo era. In the play, the overbearing police officer Bill works on a case with his rookie female partner, Dawn. Scenes of corruption, power abuse and sexual coercion unfold. The writer says "this isn't new," but the issues should have fresh resonance with today's audiences. The director says he hopes to further "expose toxic masculinity."
In his role, Evans has been submerged in "questions of gender inequality and the distribution of power." He says, "It’s awful to admit, but I know plenty of guys who fit this mold." After all, those those same questions have been rocking Hollywood for the past year. Since the Harvey Weinstein allegations were exposed, victims of sexual harassment and assault have felt encouraged to speak out, telling their abusers that #Time'sUp. Recently Chris read Rebecca Solnit’s "The Mother of All Questions," a collection of feminist essays. He says they taught him to "listen more and speak less."
"The hardest thing to reconcile is that just because you have good intentions, doesn’t mean it’s your time to have a voice," explained Chris.
On Twitter, people applauded the actor for his insight. Men often have a tendency to interrupt women, or not listen to them when they speak. In order to be an ally for women during the #MeToo movement, you just have to shut up once in a while, and hear their voices.
Although Evans will be done playing Captain America soon, he still embodies those virtuous values as an actor. Even when he has a pornstache that renders him unrecognizable. It'll be sad to see Cap go, but let's face it - right now there are way too many handsome athletic brown-haired superhero guys named Chris. Who can keep all these Chrises straight? I am Chris-ed out.
In a related story, Chris Evans being reunited with his dog is the most adorable thing you'll see today...