These days, Chris Evans is best known for playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but his first major superhero role came when he suited up as the Human Torch in 2005's Fantastic Four. He reprised the role in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, but both films were critical and commercial disappointments, and he soon moved on from Johnny Storm.
During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Evans talked about why he agreed to play the hero, and shared his reaction to landing what was he biggest role of his career at the time.
"That was back when the superhero thing was just taking off," Evans explained. "For the most part, this was right on the heels of the Spider-Man with Tobey Maguire and the X-Men, so the superhero thing was just taking off. You try to remember the moments in your life when you get those phone calls to get a job and I’m ashamed to admit that I can’t always remember getting those calls.
That one I remember. There was a lot of other personal things. I think I had just been dumped. I needed a win," he continued. "I remember getting that phone call and just thinking, ‘Aw, yes!’ It was really a role that I enjoyed, it was the best paycheck I had ever gotten. It felt like a little bit of a corner had been turned and maybe I could parlay this into something else."
It's cool that Evans had a good time playing the Human Torch, and there's no denying that the Avengers: Endgame star was a highlight in both of those Fantastic Four movies. Playing Captain America obviously worked out much better for him, but his time as Johnny Storm was still memorable.
What do you guys think?