Chris Evans discusses worst audition experience as he promotes his new film Materialists, reflecting on his early years in Hollywood and a particularly discouraging moment in his career. While now widely recognized for his role as Captain America, Evans opened up about facing rejection in a casting room, highlighting the emotional intensity actors may endure while chasing their big break.
Evans Recalls Difficult Early Career Moments
Currently, Chris Evans is appearing alongside Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal in Materialists, set to release soon in theatres. The film sees Evans portraying a struggling actor—a role mirroring his genuine experiences before reaching global stardom. Although known today for his successes in major franchises, Evans shared insights into the harsh realities of his early career when roles were hard-fought and uncertain.
An Unforgettable Audition Setback
During a recent interview with IMDb, Evans described one of the lowest points of his auditioning days. As he recounted, he tried out for The Dreamers, the 2003 film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, during the early 2000s. The audition process was grueling and left a lasting impact on him.
“The Dreamers. I had a horrible experience at that audition. It was [the] early 2000s, and it was the movie everybody wanted. I went and had to audition. I sat in this audition room waiting with like 15 other guys for hours! I finally walk in the room, I open the door, and the casting director looked up, and he was like ‘Nope. Nope, nope, nope.’ I was like ‘Oh, Jesus.’ [pretends to cry].”
—Chris Evans, Actor
This raw account of Evans’s experience demonstrates how challenging Hollywood can be, even for those who eventually find great success.
Staying Resilient Amid Rejection
Evans’s story underscores the emotional resilience required to endure such setbacks. Being judged quickly and often solely on appearance is an all-too-common hardship for aspiring actors. Yet, Chris Evans persevered, eventually securing leading roles including Steve Rogers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a diverse array of other characters in both series and films.
Looking Forward to New Projects
With Materialists arriving in theatres this weekend, Chris Evans continues to expand his filmography. Audiences can also anticipate his next project, Honey, Don’t!, scheduled to debut in theatres on August 22nd. Evans’s journey serves as an example of the unpredictable yet rewarding path many performers face, revealing both the turmoil and triumph that comes with pursuing a career in Hollywood.
