Chris Evans Almost Couldn’t Do ‘Captain America’ Because of Panic Attacks

Credit: Fameflynet Pictures

Chris Evans will always be Captain America, but reportedly the actor almost didn’t do the film because of depilitating panic attacks.

“All of a sudden your hobby becomes your job,”he told the Hollywood Reporter’s podcast Awards Chatter of struggling to cope. “Anxiety comes with that.”

Chris added that he repeatedly turned down opportunities to audition for Captain America despite a salary increase and an offer to cut his daunting nine-film contract to six flicks.

“My suffering would be my own,” said Chris, who worried that the prominent movie role would cause his anxiety to spike.

He was also terrified of how social media would respond as it was “during the proliferation of the internet age where all of a sudden you can read people’s reactions online.”

Chris’s issues with anxiety began in 2010 while shooting indie film Puncture, he explained.

“It was the first time I started having mini panic attacks on set,” he said, adding that he wasn’t sure if “this [acting] is the right thing for me.”

Marvel ultimately offered him the role. Apparently, his co-star Robert Downey Jr., a therapist, and several family friends told him not to make decisions based on fear.

“It was the best decision I’ve ever made,” he said.

We agree, Chris!