Step beyond Captain America, and you'll discover just how versatile Chris Evans is.
When a character becomes wildly popular, it’s a dream come true for any actor—but it can also become a double-edged sword. That one role starts to define them, and suddenly, the audience can’t see them as anything else. Chris Evans knows the feeling. For millions, he is Captain America. He played the part so well, it’s hard to imagine anyone else wielding the shield. But that’s also the problem—we often forget just how versatile he really is. And the fun part is we don’t even have to leave the superhero universe to see it. Over the years, Evans has stepped into several other superhuman shoes. They may not have reached Cap-level fame, but they surely showcase his range. So today, as the actor turns 44, let’s celebrate not just the star-spangled man with a plan, but the many other heroes he's brought to life.
Long before Steve Rogers entered the MCU, Evans turned up the heat as Johnny Storm a.k.a. the Human Torch. In Fox’s 'Fantastic Four' films, he played the brash, thrill-seeking hothead with infectious confidence and a devil-may-care grin. While the movies received mixed reviews, Evans' energetic performance was a highlight. Whether he was zooming through the sky in flames or bantering with his teammates, Johnny Storm was all fire and flair, a role that gave Evans the superhero spotlight years before Marvel came calling.
In one of the most delightful surprises of 2024’s 'Deadpool & Wolverine', Evans briefly returned as Johnny Storm—this time with a heavy dose of meta-humor. The cameo, cheeky and self-aware, played to the film’s multiversal madness and comedy-first approach. Though blink-and-you-miss-it, his reappearance was a wink to longtime fans and a reminder of how Evans’ earlier superhero roles paved the way for his Marvel superstardom.
Chris Evans will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine pic.twitter.com/UjhVJPM3zk
— Marvel Guy (@update_marvel) April 22, 2024
(Credit: Marvel Guy)
In the animated 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' film, Evans voiced Casey Jones, the hockey-stick-swinging vigilante and faithful friend to the Turtles. With a scrappy attitude and sarcastic edge, Evans injected Casey with street-smart charisma. His vocal performance balanced tough-guy grit with lovable sidekick energy, making Casey a vital part of the Turtles’ world and proving that even behind the mic, Evans brought superhero swagger.
Based on the DC/Vertigo comic, 'The Losers' gave Evans the chance to play Jensen, a tech genius with a motor-mouth and a knack for hacking into anything. Amidst explosions and covert missions, Evans was the comedic core of the team. His fast-talking, hoodie-wearing misfit stood out with sharp timing and lovable awkwardness. With this performance, he showed that brains, heart, and humor could be just as heroic.
Chris Evans in THE LOSERS - gotta love it. Catch it now on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/xrQ2azJRcy
— Netflix Updates (@NetflxUpdates) August 8, 2021
(Credit: Netflix Updates)
Evans led this gritty sci-fi thriller as Nick Grant, a telekinetic fugitive protecting a young girl from a shadowy government agency. 'Push', though underrated, showcased Evans in a more brooding, emotionally nuanced superhero role. His portrayal balanced weary cynicism with reluctant heroism, bringing depth to a story full of psychic powers and high-stakes action. It was a performance that hinted at his ability to ground genre-heavy material with real emotional stakes.
Evans flipped the script in Edgar Wright’s cult classic, playing Lucas Lee—a skateboarder-turned-action-star and one of Ramona’s evil exes. Muscles, swagger, and ridiculous one-liners made Lucas a scene-stealing parody of Hollywood machismo. Evans leaned into the satire, delivering one of the most memorable villains in the film. It was a brief appearance, but his commitment to the absurdity proved he wasn’t afraid to poke fun at superhero stereotypes—including himself.
(Credit: Universal Pictures)
Captain America made him a household name. But Chris Evans’ comic book journey is packed with rich, varied roles that showcase his dynamic range.
Happy Birthday!
