Chris Evans: “I’m fine! I’m fine! I’m fine. You know, I didn’t have a meltdown”

Chris Evans

Chris Evans is such a freak. Really. At the same time, I’m relieved to finally observe a decent interview from him because it seems like he hasn’t gotten enough publicity during the TIFF promotion of The Iceman. The movie is based on the book by Richard Kuklinski that details life as a mafia hitman. During the movie, Evans plays a character called Mr. Freeze (originally Mr. Softee in the book, but they changed it for licensing purposes), and he’s only onscreen for about 20 minutes, so I guess maybe that’s why we’re not hearing so much about him in this film. How unfortunate.

Seriously, I’ve really missed the near-constant reminders that the guy is a neurotic bastard who overthinks everything and is merely a waxed nip away from a nervous breakdown at any given moment. I mean, he went into therapy after taking the Captain America lead because he was so freaked out about “signing away a decade of his life.” He was also terrified of letting a $140 million movie rest upon his shoulders and of doing the obligatory publicity rounds, and for good reason — he notoriously freaked out and fled during a junket for Fantastic Four. He even described his reaction at the time as a “full meltdown,” but now Chris is doing much better with this sort of thing. Or so he says. You be the judge:

Chris Evans

He’s knows he’s not saving the world (unlike other actors): “Is any of this fun? Not to knock you, but you do these [interviews] and you tell yourself, ‘Well, it’s for this, it’s for that.’ Even right now, I’m like, ‘What am I doing here? What am I talking about? I’m not curing cancer. What the f–k am I doing?’ [Sarcastically:] ‘Well, this is how I prepared for this movie.’ You can’t help but feel — I don’t know. It’s like, who cares? It’s a f–king movie. You don’t need to give a sh-t, you know what I mean?”

His character dances to Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” “You can’t not dance to it. I was, like, f–king jamming. That’s the great thing about the character. I think he just has no sense of social awareness — I guess this is what people do. I think this is how people are supposed to look, you know? And there’s actually a great thing that they say Kuklinski said in one of the books, talking about a club — you know, he’d kill people in bars and in clubs. He said the best way to go unnoticed was to act gay. The gayer you act, the more people kind of ignore you.”

He claims to have no filter: “[I]f you think you’re a good person, then you have nothing to hide. It’s such a freeing thing. I tell you what: I used to have a lot of stress and anxiety doing these interviews. And, for me, I’m much more stressful when I feel like I’m trying to be something or just putting on a … anything. Like, if you go into it just being like, ‘Ask me anything,’ I’ll give you the honest answer. [I]f you have an agenda — believe me, I know plenty of actors who do — then you have to tailor your answers and you’re concerned how you appear. And I don’t give a sh-t how I come across, because I don’t think I’m a bad guy. And, you know, I’m just gonna tell you what I think.”

He can’t wait for the Captain America & Avengers sequels: “I’m looking forward to it because the movies were so good. Well, I wasn’t happy in the first Cap because — well, not that I wasn’t happy. I was just nervous, you know what I mean? I had taken a role that I was just nervous about. And it was a lifestyle change, and there were a lot of factors on the first Cap. I was just nervous, man. It was a big lifestyle, whatever. And now it’s like, ‘I got it.’ I got it. It’s OK. No one’s f–king kicking down my f–king door. I can still walk around. I can still go to a movie. I think I was just so scared that, like, ‘This is it. I just signed my death warrant; my life’s over. I can’t believe I did this. This isn’t the career I wanted.’ That didn’t happen. None of that sh-t happened. I’m fine, fine.”

He’s okay now, really: “I’m fine! I’m fine! I’m fine. You know, I didn’t have a meltdown and I didn’t lose my f–king mind. And the movies were good. And the biggest thing I worried about was making sh-tty f–king movies. I don’t want to make sh-tty movies and be contractually obligated to make garbage. And then be like, ‘This is why you should see a piece of sh-t!’ And they were great. And so now, it’s kind of like, ‘All right, well, let’s go try and make this one even better.’ I feel comfortable in the role. I love Marvel and I’m actually, dare I say … excited.”

[From HuffPo]

So … the therapy worked? Also, I’m glad that Chris doesn’t regret what he’s said in interviews thus far because — let’s face it — it’s always great to hear from a guy that admits to liking a big ass. I hope he continues to let his weirdness come out and play at times, but I get the feeling that people have been giving him some crap about his neuroses. Like, it’s a bit of a joke in the industry now (and this journo brings it up initially even while doing so respectfully), and maybe that’s encouraged Chris to loosen up just a bit, which is a good thing. Or maybe he’s just been having a lot of really good, Boston-based sex with Minka Kelly, and that’s put a spring in his step too.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans

Chris Evans

Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

79 Responses to “Chris Evans: “I’m fine! I’m fine! I’m fine. You know, I didn’t have a meltdown””

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. cmc says:

    I love this. Simply love it. I’m pretty much the same-level neurotic hot mess, so I appreciate it in a celebrity. And it’s a BIG change to see that kind of anxious energy in a man, and a man who will own up to it at that!

    • Really? says:

      I so love it too! He comes across soooo much better than Ben Aff in that Details interview, this dude is righteous by comparison, not to mention a hot, fresh breath of air…

  2. Devyn says:

    He seems so sweet and genuine. I find it impossible not to like him.

  3. Lm says:

    He just needs a strong woman behind him. I’m totally available.

  4. LB says:

    Chris Evans interviews are the best kind. I am never not entertained reading what he says. Love!

  5. Danziger says:

    A lot of F-bombs there, so I better see some berating. I’ve no problems with F-bombs, as I’m a chronic f-cker myself, but seeing as some celebrities get called out on cursing and some don’t…

    I don’t know about this guy. On one hand, he’s like a bomb about to go off, and probably a bit of a pill. On the other hand, he’s raw, sincere, neurotic, but that’s what makes me root for him. Hope he’s all right, there were some BIs a while ago that Chris was the most popular guess for. Let’s hope everybody was wrong,

  6. Tiffany27 says:

    Maybe I read a different interview but there was one at TIFF where he was being kind of a douche. I remember reading it and thinking if this were a female actress she would be getting lots of hate right now.
    But HOLY HELL I would hit like the wrath of God if given the opportunity.

  7. Eve says:

    Or maybe he’s just been having a lot of really good, Boston-based sex with Minka Kelly, and that’s put a spring in his step too.

    I think Bedhead says things like this for the sole purpose of torturing me.

    • becca says:

      The last sentence could have been omitted. It felt like a stab to the heart.

    • normades says:

      Love you Eve and I know you love this guy, but he seems douchey to me. Plus he’s hitting Minka K who while being beautiful, has a real thing for douches (Derek Jeter, Wilmer). Ew.

      • Eve says:

        Awww…I’m still sending you a piece of our wedding cake though :D.

        On a serious note, I don’t get a douchebag vibe from him at all. I also love the way he talked about his (openly gay) brother. If he’s actually dating Kelly, then I’m going to hate on the fact he took her back — apparently she dumped him for Jeter (you know, back when he wasn’t the star of TWO major franchises).

      • V4Real says:

        I think Chris Evans is a beautiful awesome person and his interviews are very interesting. Minka Kelly though pretty, is an opportunist. She dumped Chris to date Jeter after she met him in a NY restuarant. Now that Chris’ star is really starting to shine she wants back in his life. She reminds me of Elsa Pataky, always looking for the next best thing. Minka is the douch if a girl can be that.

      • Eve says:

        @ V4real:

        I don’t like Minka Kelly but I also don’t know much about her. However, I doubt she’s worse than (or even as bad as) Elsa Pataky. At least Kelly is known for herself, not exclusively for who she’s dating.

      • V4Real says:

        @Eve
        I hate to say it but she kind of is known for who she is dating. Not many people knew who she was until she started dating Jeter. No matter what you read about her it mainly started with Minka Kelly Derek Jeter’s girlfriend. She became a little more popular while being his arm piece.

    • another nina says:

      I dunno, Eve – he sort of sounds hyper…Is it the consequence of a sh.t load of antibiotics to cure you-know-what? What would you say?

      • Eve says:

        I don’t know either…I just have the impression he’s nice and grounded.

      • Tiffany27 says:

        I know it sounds crazy, but I really do think the hyper-ness comes from the fact that he’s a Gemini. I have a lot of Gemini friends and they literally think about everything a mile a minute. Plus in his interview with Details magazine his mom talked about how he use to eat dinner standing up because he’s so hyper. No pills, that’s just how he is.

      • another nina says:

        Thanks tiffany for quoting his mom. I just did not want to traumatize eve’s fantasies. She just needs to remember that The Mom is always there…

      • Eve says:

        She just needs to remember that The Mom is always there…

        YIKES! Now THAT could potentially ruin my fantasies.

      • V4Real says:

        Maybe he has a ADHD, some people with that suffers from anxiety.

  8. Van says:

    It’s always cool and down to earth when a man does it, but when a woman does it she’s being a bitch and a diva.
    I mean bitching about interviews? If you don’t like the attention but love acting you could always do theater. Less attention, more acting.

    I never get this about movie stars. They love attention, no strings attached.

    • Mira says:

      I understand the neurosis, but I don’t understand the double standards like you say. KStew is an ungrateful bitch for F-boming her interviews and dissing the OTT attention she gets. Chris Evans, on the other hand, is real, genuine for essentially doing the same thing as KStew.

  9. normades says:

    I think there was a blind “supposedly” about him about an actor that could be A-list but heavy drug use destroyed his professional reputation. Maybe “therapy” is the code word for rehab.

    • carrie says:

      maybe it’s him but at least i know he’s a big party boy (he partied every night during a time)

    • V4Real says:

      Let’s see now, Captain Sexy upcoming movies, The Iceman, Snowpiercer, Captain America 2, A Many Splintered Things oh, and the Avengers 2;from where I’m sitting his professional reputation don’t look destroyed to me.

      • LucyOriginal says:

        Does it mean Minka Kelly will be with him for a while? I just know her for who she dates. I have NO idea what she does.

        Do you think she is going to “Blake Lively” him?

  10. Esmom says:

    He reminds me a bit of Sparkles in that he seems genuinely torn up over being put on a pedestal just for being an actor. It seems like he was even anticipating a Twihard reaction to his Captain American role, lol. Ah, no.

    Like Sparkles, he seems funny and genuine and fairly humble, albeit way more intense. And hot. Did I mention hot? *fans self*

    • another nina says:

      Eh, hmmmm, Sparles is kinda smart, weird – yes, but smart, while Chris does not suffer from brains’ overload. Everybody constantly implies than he is smarter than he sounds. But I tend to think it’s a wishful thinking (no offense Eve, cough-cough).

  11. Bubbling says:

    this dude is soooo plain to me! I can see him being handsome and all but it’s so effin obvious it bores me to death!

  12. lucy2 says:

    I don’t really understand actors who don’t want the big super-stardom thing but then go out for roles like that. What did they think would happen?

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      Did he say that he never wanted to be a star? I missed that part. I just thought he said that he wanted to make good movies and do a good job and that he feels a ton of pressure.

  13. TheOriginalKitten says:

    I love him, mostly because I love Boston boys. He seems totally genuine and I sort of adore his neuroses 😉

    • Chatcat says:

      OK Kitten, as long as you don’t go near Mr. Gonorrhea, you can adore him and his neuroses from here. We cannot jeopardize a faithful and talented CB poster’s personal welfare and long term mental health. Can you imagine having to try to live with all that unfiltered mental energy? 🙂

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        I’m stocking up Valtrex as we speak, Chat.

        I have a feeling his physical energy matches his mental energy, although he won’t need much energy when he’s handcuffed to my bed. I don’t mind doing all the work if he just wants to relax 😉

      • Chatcat says:

        Well, as long as your well stocked you may proceed. Just make sure you have a good shrink you can 911 afterwards.

  14. Fudge you, I'm going to Guam! says:

    He was hot in ‘Not another teen movie’ but other than that, no, he does nothing for me.
    And it was hard reading that interview…I could feel his nervous neurotic mess of energy all the way here.
    I imagine he would be hard to live with.

    • Iggles says:

      Agreed!

      Personally, I don’t find it attractive or refreshing! I’ve gotten a handle on my own securities; I have no interest in propping someone else up who can’t/won’t put into the work to help themselves.

  15. Jenna says:

    MY CAPTAIN SEXY!!! 😀

    Lawd, how I’d love to ride that starburst jelly bean loving, tap dancing neurotic mofo. Look at those biceps. And that chest. Unf.

    • Eve says:

      Hey, I checked HBO Signature’s programming here and guess what? “Stuart: A Life Backwards” is going to be aired FIVE times in October.

      *doing the happy dance*

  16. Bird says:

    Love his interviews. I appreciate that he doesn’t try to edit himself.

    • V4Real says:

      And that’s what you call keeping it real. I like when celebrities don’t filter themselves, or let their publicist tell them what they should or should not say; that way their fans kinda get to know the real person, not just the actor.

  17. Anne de Vries says:

    I kind of adore him. He just seems like the kind of guy who’d blurt out “I’m really smitten with you” after the first date, you know?

    Plus, easy on the eyes. And I can completely relate to what he says about interviews and publicity.

  18. perla says:

    lol so nobody gets upset with all the f-bombs?? but when Kristen Stewart does it all hell breaks lose, double standards at its best here, nice people.

    Chris seems crazy, in a nice way.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      Well, because Kristen is a girl-she’s supposed to be happy, friendly, cute, sweet, and curse-free at all times. 😉

  19. Dunne says:

    A friends of mine worked at a TIFF event and said Chris was high as a kite and spent a good chunk of the night basically hiding in the basement. after some time at the party he began fully melting down about having to face the public while so high and it took people about 20 minutes to coax him out to the car.

    • V4Real says:

      I’m not doubting your friend but why do I read so many comments about someone having a friend who was at an event and they saw a celebrity doing this or that.

    • Tiffany27 says:

      Everybody has a friend of a friend of a friend. Receipts or it didn’t happen.

      • V4Real says:

        LOL! for real.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        For what it’s worth, this guy Mike that I work with met Evans at some party at Cure in Boston a while ago and said he was a “super-nice dude”.

        When he told me at the time I said “who??”. He was like “Captain America!”

        Obviously this was before CE and I began our torrid love affair 😉

        True story though-pinky swears.

    • INeedANap says:

      I’m curious, high on what? Because I could see someone who is as neurotic and tense as him really loving weed because it would relax him. Not that it is appropriate to do that at a work event, but I could understand why. Now, if it was coke or something, that would just be stupid.

  20. spiderpig says:

    he had me at ‘Not Another Teen Movie’. He doesn’t seem to take himself seriously…

  21. KellyinSeattle says:

    Reading all these comments….my shrink would agree he’s pretty hot…

  22. Anonymous says:

    So this sounds a lot like a KStew interview…But with a lot less backlash (probably because Chris Evans is infinitely better looking 🙂 )

  23. perla says:

    no backlash at all, if this was Kristen there would have been over a 100 comments calling her out because of the f-bombs, bunch of hypocrates here

  24. Anonymous says:

    But what about the whole “I’m so overwhelmed by the fame” and “I’m so not into pretending to be this person that I’m not”…same schtick as KStew. Lame.

  25. Anonymous says:

    But what about the whole “I’m so overwhelmed by the fame” and “I’m so not into pretending to be this person that I’m not”…same schtick as KStew. Not cute.

    • another nina says:

      On the opposite, he is saying that his fame is not overwhelming…Why don’t you read an article first???

  26. Kelly says:

    I’m kind of over him. He has this adorable sweet side that makes him likable, but at the same time he seems like a huge douche. He obviously enjoys all of the perks of being famous; sex, money and partying, but he always claiming that he’s overwhelmed by fame. This guy just wants to enjoy the fun side of fame, and over exaggerates the actual work itself that gets him the things he wants. He needs to stop whining, and needs to be grateful for the fact that he’s actually getting work. Lbr, he’s a mediocre actor at best that got by on looks and charm for most of his career. He seems like he’s headed for a meltdown, imo. Something about him gives off these vibes that he’s screwed up.

  27. the original liv says:

    love him!

  28. ZenB!tch says:

    He sounds like me at his age… all happy and newly medicated. Guys suffer from this sort of thing too. I’m glad he owns up to it. Although… having a meltdown after seeing the Fantastic Four seems normal to me. It was horrible.

  29. eric says:

    Yes there is a blind item about him being an out of control on coke.

  30. Camille (TheOriginal) says:

    I’ll never understand Chris Evans ‘appeal’. He is so average, and just has a cookie cutter ‘the same as a million other guys’ look that so many others in Hollywood have, along with little to no charisma or acting talent. I get him and that other Chris mixed up all the time, because they are sooooooo bland and look similar.
    I couldn’t even be bothered reading this interview with him because my eyes started to glaze over with boredom as I tried.

    He is *very* vanilla + Milquetoast. Meh.