The Interview • Chris Evans

The Confession

The show cut away to a commercial break, but not before Jimmy said Chris would be up next. Despite yourself, your stomach began feeling fluttery knowing you'd be seeing him any moment. Stop it, you chastised yourself, but it was no use. And the feeling only heightened when the show came back from break, immediately focused on Jimmy behind the desk and Chris sitting in the grey chair. He looked incredible in a charcoal suit with a white shirt, the dark purple tie – that you'd picked out – completing the look. His face was set in a smile from ear to ear and his eyes were twinkling. He looked so handsome and your heart constricted in your chest.

"Chris Evans!" Jimmy said, as if any other introduction wasn't really needed. The audience cheered loudly, especially the women.

"Thank you, Jimmy. Thank you," he said, waving out at the crowd. He adjusted how he was sitting, rubbing his hands down his thighs. You couldn't help but smile at the nervous habit.

Jimmy launched in on a question about his time as Captain America, and you took a sip from your wine glass as Chris shifted in his seat, answering the question even as women whooped and cheered from the audience. Not that you could blame them.

"So you've taken a new interesting turn in your career," Jimmy said, clasping his hands on the desk and leaning towards Chris. "An indie film with an unknown cast, a director no one has heard of before now and almost no budget. I heard they aren't even paying you!"

Jimmy laughed, as did the audience. Chris chuckled, adjusting the sleeves of his coat. He really was such a fidget.

Even though they were laughing at the idea of him not being paid for the movie, they weren't far off the mark. He'd accepted a very low salary for the project because after he'd shown you the script – and you'd convinced him he wasn't crazy for wanting to do it – he realized he'd have to work for very little to be part of it. And he hadn't regretted it for a minute.

"Now in all seriousness, this is a very different type of film for you. How did it differ from a Disney and Marvel production?" Jimmy asked.

"Y'know, I'm very blessed to have the career I do, where I can pick and choose from projects that really interest me. And this film was something that caught my attention right away. I think as long as there is a passion for the film – from the crew to the team around it to the actors – there isn't much of a difference. It's just a group of people excited to come to work every day." Chris smiled at the crowd, though you could see it didn't quite reach his eyes. As always, he was nervous that what he said wouldn't be well received. But even Jimmy applauded him.

"That's fantastic," Jimmy said, clapping slightly longer than everyone else. "I heard they call you Cap on set. Is this true?"

Chris laughed genuinely, and you breathed a sigh of relief as you watched him become more comfortable. "You know, I tell them not to, but they don't listen. My identity is forever tied to that character. I guess there are worse nicknames."

"There certainly are," Jimmy said, laughing in that distinct way of his. "Now, back to this film, what made you decide to pivot from billion-dollar box office Marvel films to an indie film like this?"

"Actually, a good friend of mine convinced me to do it," he said, for a moment looking right into the camera. You sucked in a gasp that he was referencing you, which wouldn't have been a problem except you'd just taken in a mouthful of wine. Launching into a coughing fit, you did your best to swallow down the wine and breathe while listening to the interview.

"Is this someone we know?" Jimmy asked, looking at Chris conspiratorially. "Perhaps Anthony Mackie or Sebastian Stan trying to make sure they keep the shield?"