Why Chris Evans Wore Fake Feet for Captain America: The First Avenger

Chris Evans was photographed wearing fake feet while filming Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011, and here’s why they were needed.

Here’s why Chris Evans donned boots to film Captain America: The First Avenger. Evans was no stranger to the comic book genre when he signed on to play Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU. His first major comic book movie came with 2005 The Fantastic Four, and although the film received mixed reviews, his charismatic turn as Johnny Storm / The Human Torch was well received. He later returned for the 2007 sequel The Rise of the Silver Surferwhile the same year he also voiced Casey Jones in an animated adventure TMNT.

In 2009, Evans played hacker “geek” Jensen in a graphic novel adaptation Losersas he chewed up the scenery as evil ex Lucas Lee in Scott Pilgrim vs the world. Despite being his most famous role now, Chris Evans was hesitant to sign on for Captain America, both for the responsibility of bringing the character to life and for the commitment it represented. More than a decade later, Evans is unlikely to have any regrets, with her performance and (most) of her films having received stellar reviews.

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Previously, actors Reb Brown and Matt Salinger – sons of acclaimed author JD Salinger – brought Captain America to life in two TV movies and a direct-to-video movie from 1990 respectively, but it’s fair to say that neither portrayal was final. It was feared the superhero would be seen as old-fashioned for modern audiences, but 2011 Captain America: The First Avenger removed those fears. The movie was a fun, pulpy adventure, and Evans gave Steve his lofty edge without making him lame. The actor was also photographed by the Daily mail while filming the first film wearing so-called toe boots, which were prosthetic feet meant to resemble Evans’s. The very practical reason for Chris Evans’ weird foot outfit is that he was filming an action sequence where Steve had to go barefoot.

Following the super-soldier procedure that turns Steve into Captain America, an assassin named Kruger (Richard Armitage) kills Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci) and tries to flee with his formula. Steve then has to chase Kruger through the streets of 1940s New York, but since being reborn he hasn’t had time to put on his shoes. Chris Evans’ boots were provided to keep the actor’s feet cushioned while filming these first avenger scenes – which were actually shot in Manchester, England – and although CG smoothed them out in post-production, they look very odd in set photos.

Unlike Hulk Hands which became a popular MCU toy, Captain America’s fake feet were never intended to become a Christmas favorite. Although it is strange to look back at photos of Captain America boots of feet, it’s just a consequence of keeping an artist safe while shooting an intense action sequence. Evans’ cap goes through concrete, broken glass and all sorts of hazards, so John McClane was never an option.

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