Gifted (2017)

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By Mickey Rapkin

Every couple of years, Chris Evans pulls on his red, white, and blue spandex, picks up Captain America's shield, and saves the world from impending doom. But his smaller, less-talked-about films (Snowpiercer, Before We Go) are often just as thrilling. In Gifted, out now from 500 Days of Summer director Marc Webb, Evans stars as a sensitive small-town boat mechanic fighting a custody battle for his orphaned niece (a first-grade know-it-all who just may be a math prodigy). Evans's own early years were less contentious, though they weren't without drama. His mother ran a local children's theater in Concord, Massachusetts, and Evans says he and his siblings were basically Boston's answer to the von Trapps. These days, the 35-year-old—who once spent three weeks in India studying meditation—is as likely to quote Siddhartha as he is Sondheim. That zen, no doubt, comes in handy, whether on set for the currently filming Avengers: Infinity War Part 1, or in Evans's personal life, in which he's been linked to Jessica Biel, Minka Kelly, Lily Collins, and, most recently, his Gifted costar, Jenny Slate. You know what they say: Make love, not war.

ELLE: Early in your career, you were often asked to be shirtless. Tell me about a scene you might not have done if you'd had more clout.

Chris Evans: It's so funny; I woke up this morning, and Not Another Teen Movie was on TV. I don't know if you ever saw it, but I had to put a banana in my butt. [Laughs] At the time, you're just so happy to be on a job. I just looked at it and said, "Who cares? I'm earning my stripes."

You're at that age where you're going to a lot of birthday parties for your friends' kids. How does that feel?

I feel deeply connected to my inner child. When I see a bounce house and those little cups of ice cream, I'm like, "Shit. Where's mine?" I'm not ashamed of the parts of my youth that I'm still connected to—whether it's cartoons or Disney World or Christmastime. I think they're a real representation of my true self before the world had its impact on me.

Seriously?

Sometimes when you see a group of grown-ups together acting like adults…it's just not in me. I always kind of feel like a little kid trapped in a 35-year-old's body.

Are your friends pressuring you to settle down?

I don't think so. Not to my face.

You studied with a guru in India. What did you learn?

It was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. I had never really meditated before. I'd tried it, but I'd always been very aware of my thoughts. While I was over there, you do it every day. And I really unlocked a little door in myself. My mind was really noisy, and I had a lot of questions. My guru would just say, "Chris, shhh."

What kinds of questions were you asking?

It didn't matter. I had questions every five minutes. A lot of our sadness and fears—and suffering—is born out of this unnecessary constant narrative. The only reason the brain wants those questions is because it's aware of the past, and it's fearful of the future. The truth is, you are not your thoughts. If you are able to surrender and let your brain be quiet—just for a minute—a real sense of beauty emerges.

What's the last thing you did that scared you?

I took the last year off and moved home to Massachusetts.

What'd you do all day, work out?

That's what a lot of people asked me.…

I'm kidding.

To be honest, I didn't do a whole lot. My sister has three kids. I spent a lot of time with them, just really hanging out. I got a dog a year ago. He's become a huge part of my life. I felt very normal, like a regular human. I felt like my 12-year-old self. And I was really full of a lot of joy.

Would you tell me about a time you were envious of another man?

I have a lot of really funny friends in my life. I'm not one of the funny ones. I'm fun. But I'm not funny. And there's a big difference. Anytime I hang out with a guy who is hilarious, I'm like, Man, I wish my brain worked the way his does.

You're a big New England Patriots fan. And a big Democrat. Was it hard for you to hear that Tom Brady called Donald Trump personally to congratulate him?

This whole year has had so many tricky ups and downs. But the Brady-Trump connection is the one part of it that I truly have been unable to process in any capacity. My brain just cannot reconcile that. I truly chose to stick my head in the ground and pretend that doesn't happen. I can't afford to lose my love of Tom Brady.

What would you say if you met Brady? Would you talk politics?

No way! I'd be lucky if I could even form words. I would be focusing on being cool, calm. Don't be a weirdo. Small sentences. Don't aim too high.

Why hasn't there been a stand-alone Black Widow movie yet?

That's a good question. It would really just clean up, wouldn't it? Scarlett [Johansson] is so good at everything she does. She's played such a crucial part in the other films. She always makes her presence so felt—even when there are 50 different superheroes running around onscreen. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens at some point in the future. I'm sure Scarlett would be open to it.

You've dated a number of actresses. How do you handle running into exes in L.A.?

It's very rare. But I've had no bad breakups in my life. Typically, if I see an ex, I give a big hug, and it's wonderful to catch up. If you're ever fortunate enough to love someone and have them love you back, it's worth protecting that. It's rare that someone can truly know you. And if you've broken through that kind of wall, I think it's important to value that.

Would they say the same about you?

I hope.

This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of ELLE.