Jeremy Strong was one step into the Marvel Cinematic Universe ride—or at least his body almost got in.
The actor is famous for cursing as Kendal Roy on the HBO series Succession. However, in a recent interview with The Times UK, Strong shared that he was tapped for a specific role in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger.
In particular, he was tasked with portraying the body double of Chris Evans – the lean, youthful era of Steve Rogers. This was before his transformation into a star-studded superhero soldier.
“They needed someone to play Captain America’s young body before he turns into a superhero,” Strong shared with The Times. “They said they needed a transformational actor and would use CGI to put the actual actor’s face and voice over my own.”
“I was broke,” he continued. “I needed money. And I considered it. But that’s my story of LA. It was just never going to happen for me here. It didn’t feel like what I had to offer was valued.”
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A Strong Fate
As it happens, Strong grew up with Evans. Evans later played Captain America in over ten films. They both grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Additionally, they were exposed to local theater as children.
When The Times tapped Evans to query if he had any idea Strong was considered to be his body double, Evans allegedly gasped, saying, “Oh no!” Ultimately, he said he didn’t know.
In previous interviews and media interactions, Evans has talked about how much he adored Strong as a child. The two even portrayed roles together in an early production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. (Strong starred as Bottom while Evans as Demetrius.)
In an interview with The Times, Evans stated that he was often shocked by the time it took Strong to become a star.
“It just goes to show the industry is so unpredictable,” Evans stated. “But I’m so happy things worked out because I don’t think there was ever plan B for Jeremy.”
Strong stars in Armageddon Time, with Anne Hathaway and Anthony Hopkins.
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Drama School
Strong began acting at the Yale School of Drama. After a brief training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and the Steppenwolf Theater Company in Chicago, he appeared in several plays at the Williamstown Theater Festival.
The actor’s first performance away from Broadway was in John Patrick Shanley’s Defiance in 2006. Later, he debuted on Broadway as Richard Rich in the 2008 reboot of A Man for All Seasons. In addition to that, he debuted in film in Humboldt County.
Strong has portrayed roles in countless films. Here are the following:
John George Nicolay in 2012’s Lincoln
Lee Harvey Oswald in 2013’s Parkland
James Reeb in 2014’s Selma
Jerry Rubin in 2020’s The Trial of the Chicago 7
Other films he has appeared in include 2012’s Zero Dark Thirty by Kathryn Bigelow, 2015’s The Big Short by Adam McKay, 2017’s Molly’s Game by Sorkin, and 2022’s Armageddon Time by James Gray.
Photo: Indie Wire
