Chris Evans Says He “Was Happy To Be In An Ensemble” In Rian Johnson’s ‘Knives Out’

Chris Evans is more than just someone you see on your screen or Captain America — he is an “introspective” human.

In a recent profile with GQ, Evans spoke about his life and career path, revealing that even though he was Captain America for eight years, it wasn’t his favorite role to play.

In fact, Evans’s most enjoyable opportunity came when Rian Johnson was casting for Knives Out. His character, Ransom Drysdale, was a supporting role, but he wanted it — even after previously playing a leading role for Marvel. Looking back on the experience with GQ, Evans said he was actually “happy to be in an ensemble” as part of Knives Out.

“If a good supporting role comes along, I’m jumping at it,” Evans told the outlet, suggesting that an actor like Robert Downey Jr. should take lead roles because he is “such a presence” and “such a force.”

Evans continued, “I’m happy to be in an ensemble. I don’t need to carve out some sort of leading man niche for myself.”

Johnson, the director of Knives Out who ultimately cast Evans in his film, knew that the actor was familiar to audiences as a handsome jock, but had also made a name for himself as the hero by playing Captain America. Johnson said in a 2019 casting-related interview with Vogue, “I could tell Chris was really eager to do this, and I could tell he was going to have a lot of fun.”

Although Ransom was similar to the roles Evans has played before — like the arrogant jerk or playboy — he enjoyed that he wasn’t holding the spotlight. Johnson told Vogue at the time that Evans was a natural fit for his quirky character.

“If there was someone in that part who the audience inherently wanted to like, that would help the arc overall,” he said of the actor.

Johnson — who was also interviewed in Evans’ recent GQ feature — told the outlet, “I feel like he’s also got a depth to him that I hope he gets more and more roles that he can explore the flipside of that—that much more introspective, thoughtful person that comes out.”

Evans’ GQ profile also featured an interview with his mom, Lisa, who described him as “extraordinarily introspective,” much like Johnson did. Lisa recalled her son asking deep questions at a young age, and his responses to GQ showed that he looks at the world with a different lens. The actor himself told the magazine he focuses on trying to be in the moment, rather than being the moment.

Evans hasn’t appeared in any films in 2023. According to GQ, he is trying to limit himself to one project per year, but is taking a break overall to focus on himself.