Chris Evans 'Can't Believe' He Almost Passed On 'Captain America'

'Captain America just changes things and there's no 'off' switch,' he tells MTV News about playing Marvel war hero.
By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Josh Horowitz


Chris Evans in "Captain America"
Photo: Marvel

Last year, in the run-up to casting the lead role in "Captain America: The First Avenger," actors rumored to be competing to play the Captain included Garrett Hedlund ("Tron: Legacy"), Wilson Bethel ("Generation Kill"), John Krasinski ("The Office"), Mike Vogel ("Cloverfield") and Chris Evans.

The part eventually went to Evans, despite serious trepidations he had about jumping into another superhero franchise following his turn as the Human Torch in two "Fantastic Four" films.

"I look back now and I can't believe I almost didn't do it," Evans told MTV News recently. "I can't believe I almost didn't do it! For better or worse, no matter what happens with the film, whether it's a good film or not, it was the right thing to do and I'm glad I did it."

And he's still doing it. Over the weekend, Evans was on location in Times Square putting the finishing touches on the production ahead of the flick's July 22 release date. As part of our ongoing Summer Movie Preview Week, we're debuting an exclusive photo of Evans in character as the World War II-era hero and we sat down for a chat with the star to discuss his thoughts about the Marvel film.

"I was pretty nervous. I remember the first time I went to a fitting and I put on the suit and I just was so terrified, so focused on the negatives, still," he said. "I'm not quite sure when it turned. I bet when I was at that Comic-Con [in August], I was probably still terrified, probably still apprehensive about whether or not this was right."

Indeed he was. Back at the Con in San Diego, he said of taking on the project, "It wasn't an easy 'yes.' I get nervous in things like this and Captain America just means a lot of this. I was in a really happy place in my life; kind of in a happy medium place in my career, and Captain America just changes things and there's no 'off' switch once you walk down that road."

Now, though, the production is nearly complete and the 29-year-old actor couldn't be happier with what he's seen of the Joe Johnston-directed movie. "I've seen quite a bit, but I haven't seen a full cut," Evans said. "Everything I've seen, I really like. I don't like jinxing things because I've made some films in the past that I've seen bits and pieces of that I liked and then you see the full film and get the full experience and the full pace and the journey and it might not be the same thing. Individual scenes in a vacuum can be misleading. I will say this: Every single individual scene that I've seen I've loved."

What do think of the latest look at Chris Evans as Captain America? Tell us in the comments!

Check out everything we've got on "Captain America: The First Avenger."

For breaking news and previews of the latest comic book movies — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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Jason Sudeikis To Host 2011 MTV Movie Awards

'SNL' star will take the stage when the show airs live June 5 at 9 p.m. ET.
By MTV News staff


Jason Sudeikis
Photo: Barry King/ FilmMagic

When the 2011 MTV Movie Awards swoop into the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, on June 5, "Saturday Night Live" star Jason Sudeikis will be front and center to take on hosting duties for the 20th annual ceremony.

"I'm sincerely flattered that the folks from the Mostly Teenage Viewers network have invited me to host this year, and I look forward to keeping the streak of flawless and critically lauded movie awards show hosting in 2011 alive," Sudeikis said.

In addition to his exploits on "SNL" — where over six seasons Sudeikis has portrayed everyone from Vice President Joe Biden to "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks — the comedian and actor stars in this summer's "Horrible Bosses" opposite Jason Bateman and Charlie Day.

"Smart and funny is the new rock and roll for our audience — and that combo pretty much sums up Jason. He is a smartass and a gentleman who never goes for the easy or obvious joke," said Stephen Friedman, president of MTV. "Because of that, he is the ideal Movie Awards host, and we are confident with him anchoring the show, our audience is in store for unexpected and crazy moments with Hollywood's biggest stars and musicians."

The MTV Movie Awards nominees — based on your votes at MovieAwards.MTV.com — will be announced on May 3, at which point you'll be able to vote for your favorite films and stars in categories like Best Fight, Best Kiss, Biggest Badass Star, Best Villain and, of course, Best Movie. Voting will continue through June 4, though Best Movie will remain open throughout the live ceremony on June 5 — meaning you'll have a chance to affect the night's biggest prize until the very last minute.

The 20th annual MTV Movie Awards air live Sunday, June 5, at 9 p.m. ET.

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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'Water For Elephants' Cheat Sheet: Everything You Need To Know!

From Robert Pattinson's hairdo to his love scenes with Reese Witherspoon, MTV News has you covered.
By Eric Ditzian


Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon in "Water for Elephants"
Photo: 20th Century Fox

The question for Robert Pattinson wasn't if he would make the leap from "Twilight" vamp to major-studio player but when. The answer came in January 2010, when news broke that the British actor was eyeing a role in Fox's "Water for Elephants." Ever since, MTV News has been following anything and everything connected to the film, an adaptation of Sara Gruen's best-selling novel. Now the movie is set to hit theaters and we're gathering all our coverage into one place for a "Water for Elephants" cheat sheet.

Training

When word broke of Pattinson's intention to play a veterinary student named Jacob in "WFE," Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon was already signed on to play Marlena, a beautiful circus performer who's married yet falls in love with Jacob when he joins the troupe. Sean Penn was originally eyeing the role of Marlena's husband, but the part eventually went to another Oscar winner, .

With Pattinson's new part came a new haircut: Goodbye, Edward Cullen's messy locks, hello Jacob's cropped do.

The first shot of Pattinson in action arrived in June, when a photo of him climbing a train popped up online. More pics followed, including looks at Reese and Rob sharing a smooch.

Paparazzi weren't the only ones paying attention to the production. Fans were everywhere, too.

"The only thing I can compare it to is when Leo was in 'Titanic,' " Witherspoon told MTV News in December. "It was that kind of fervor about a person. The women lining up outside the set — it was just unbelievable — till 5 o'clock in the morning waiting to just glimpse him."

Rehearsal

Shortly after our chat with Reese, Fox released the first "Watermfor Elephants" trailer, highlighting the film's story of a circus-centered love triangle between Jacob, Marlena and Marlena's cruel husband, August/. That, and Rob's many smoldering looks. A second trailer debuted in March, showing a darker tone and, perhaps to lighten the mood, Reese and Rob's kiss.

As the film's release date neared, MTV News announced a live-stream event with Pattinson. The star debuted a new clip from the film and stuck around for a 30-minute chat, touching on everything from cursing on the set of "Breaking Dawn" to an awkward "WFE" love scene with Reese.

"The love scene in this, I was doing it when I had a really bad cold," Pattinson explained. "I'm not generally that awkward doing stuff apart from when I've got my belly coming out. But my nose is running all over the place and it was in one of the additional photography scenes, and Reese had this wig on, and literally, I was wiping my nose on her wig."

Performance

The live chat wouldn't be our only chance to talk with Rob and the rest of the cast. We met back up with him at a press event a few weeks later. This time around, Pattinson discussed love at first sight (he believes in it) and his preferred circus job (manual labor).

"I find it very satisfying. I like stacking boxes and stuff like that," he said. "And also I looked at all the background guys who were putting up a tent as a part of a scene and they were doing this stuff, like in 'Dumbo,' and it looked like something appealing about that, being a part of this team that creates this town in two days, and it's quite cool. And I like the idea of being the absolute everyman as well."

And, just in case you didn't get enough of RPattz, MTV News presented a live stream from the "Water for Elephants" red carpet in New York. Turns out, Rob barely made it to the event.

"It was a mad rush to get here!" Pattinson said of trying to leave the set of "Breaking Dawn," which wrapped production hours before the premiere. "I was leaving at, like, one o'clock in the morning. They're like, 'C'mon, we need one more shot!' and you've got three people pulling you from either side!"

Check out everything we've got on "Water for Elephants."

For young Hollywood news, fashion and "Twilight" updates around the clock, visit HollywoodCrush.MTV.com.

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Justin Bieber's Grammy Performance Will Be 'A Crossover,' Usher Says

The 'O.M.G.' singer looks forward to sharing the stage with his protégé on Sunday night.
By James Montgomery


Usher
Photo: Amanda Edwards/ Getty Images

HOLLYWOOD — At Sunday's 53rd Grammy Awards, Usher will be pulling double duty as both a nominee and a performer. Of course, given the massive year he just completed — with the success of his smash single "O.M.G." and as a mentor to rising phenom Justin Bieber — Ush's Grammy plans seem rather fitting.

Especially since he'll be performing with Bieber (and Bieber's pal Jaden Smith), a move that's just as much about celebrating Usher's successes as it is the successes of his young protégé.

"Having been through [the Grammys] so many times, you couldn't want for anything more than for your young protégé to have the opportunity to have one, so, in support of him having his moment, I wanted to be here," Usher told MTV News on Thursday, hours before his performance at the (Belvedere) RED launch party in Hollywood. "And also to be there to perform, to kind of tell the story of how we came together. This music business has definitely been good to both of us, and this year we have a lot to be happy for."

And just how will the dynamic duo tell that story? Well, Usher wasn't about to reveal all the details, but he did say that he's hoping their performance will show another side of Bieber ... a side most tend to overlook.

"The performance will be fun," Usher explained. "We want to get up there and just do what we do. Be comfortable, and have a great time. ... This is kind of a crossover for Justin. Having performed on so many different stages, this is the way that I wanted him to be seen and an opportunity to show the industry — a lot of the industry, that didn't believe [in him] — some of his other talents. He's going to play acoustically, and also, we'll get down a little bit."

And though Ush is up for a pair of Grammy awards on Sunday — Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best Contemporary R&B Album for Raymond v. Raymond — he's most looking forward to sharing the stage with Bieber and giving fans a look at where the young artist will be heading next.

"I'm very proud, man. I definitely saw it from the beginning, but thanks to the team that we have around us, it was made to happen. And that story has only just begun," Usher said. "The story of Justin Bieber doesn't stop with screaming girls; we need screaming fans all around the world ... a cultural experience that's much more than just fanfare. And that's what this is. That's what the Grammys will be; that's what my next phase for Justin is. This is the way I found him: I found him with a guitar in his hand, so I want him to be seen that way."

Don't miss "Snooki & Sway: Live From the Grammys," a red-carpet live stream kicking off Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on MTV.com. And stick with us all Grammy night for coverage of the red carpet, the show, the afterparties and beyond!

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Ne-Yo Defends Beyonce 'Dis' Statements

'I'm tired of being nice to dumb people. ... Bottom line, Beyonce is my friend,' 'Irreplaceable' songwriter tweets.
By Jocelyn Vena


Ne-Yo
Photo: Mawuse Ziegbe/ MTV News

When a comment from Ne-Yo hit the Internet in which the songwriter said that he wished he could have kept the Beyoncé hit "Irreplaceable" for himself, some took it as a dis to the star.

"One song that I gave away and didn't want to, but it's actually a good thing that I did, is Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable'. I honestly wrote that song for myself, but that song taught me a very interesting lesson: Many women don't think that differently. ... However, a man singing it comes across a little bit misogynistic, a little bit mean," Ne-Yo, who wrote the song, said in an interview.

When it was implied on Twitter that Ne-Yo was dissing the Sasha Fierce star with his comments, the singer/songwriter defended himself. "Aiight my dude. Send me the link to where I said ANYTHING disrespectful about Beyonce, PLEASE! Dying to hear this," he wrote. "Just heard the audio where I supposedly dissed Beyonce. ARE Y'ALL SERIOUS!?! Did y'all even listen to what I said!?!"

Ne-Yo then continued to tweet his anger toward those who misunderstood what he said. "I said I originally wrote the song for me. That's true, so OF COURSE I didn't want to give it away originally. IT WAS FOR ME," he wrote. "Once I realized how the song comes across if sung by a guy, that's when I decided to give it away. HOW IS THAT DISSING BEYONCE!?! She took the song and made it a smash, NOBODY can deny that ...

"You know what? At first I was apologetic about what the hacker said, now that I've heard the audio myself, not so much," he continued. "Y'all should listen a lil' harder before you start dissin' people. Makes you look real dumb. I'm tired of being nice to dumb people. ... Bottom line, Beyonce is my friend. To HELL with anybody that ain't SMART enough to understand what I truly meant."

Do you think Ne-Yo was dissing Beyoncé with his comments? Tell us below.

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Beyonce Gets Fierce In Promo Shot For New Single

Singer looks as if she's channeling Grace Jones in photo for girl-power anthem.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé (file)
Photo: James Devaney/ WireImage

Editor's note: Since publishing this story, it has come to our attention that the photo assumed to be of Beyoncé for her new single is actually a fake.

She may have retired Sasha Fierce, but that doesn't mean she's any less fierce. Beyoncé's promo shot for her girl-power anthem, possibly titled "Girls (That Rule the World)," has hit the Internet.

In the close-up, black-and-white snapshot, Beyoncé looks as if she's channeling Grace Jones. Her hair is pulled back sleekly, her mouth is slightly open and her black liquid eye makeup is done up in a funky cat-eye style. She appears to be nude and is wearing black nail polish. The shot first appeared on Twitter. The question "Who run the world?" appears on the poster, with the tease, "Coming Soon."

The photo comes as more and more shots of the music video for the song have hit the Web. On Wednesday, Beyoncé was seen on the set looking like the queen of her own country, with a gigantic crown and flag with the initial "B" on it.

Just a day before, Beyoncé made headlines when she was spotted on a music video set wearing a white Givenchy jumpsuit, faux-hawk and sunglasses. The video will reportedly be directed by Francis Lawrence, who worked with Beyoncé in her Destiny's Child days. He's also worked with Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Pink.

On Thursday, a snippet of the track leaked. It's a feisty club-thumper about the power of being female.

"Love it how we're smart enough to make these millions, strong enough to bear the children, then get back to business," she sings. "Please, you better not play me. Oh, come here, baby/ Hope you still like me, if you pay me."

The tease certainly fit Bey's previous description of the album's vibe. "Well, I wouldn't say I'm inventing a new genre," Beyoncé explained. "I'm mixing every type of genre that I love, and I'm inspired by every type of genre. ... I'm not in a box. It's not R&B. It's not typically pop. It's not rock. It's just everything I love all mixed together in my own little gumbo of music."

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'Game Of Thrones' Sex Scenes Were 'Hard' To Film, Jason Momoa Says

'It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do,' he tells MTV News.
By Kara Warner


Jason Momoa
Photo: James Lacsina / MTV News

For those who've been following the buzz surrounding HBO's epic new series "Game of Thrones," based on George R. R. Martin's beloved "A Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy novels, there is a lot going on in this show. In a nutshell, it's about power, politics and sex — with a little fantasy thrown in for good measure.

Speaking to the sexy factor, Emilia Clarke told MTV News back in January that her character's sex scenes were particularly "scary" but that co-star Jason Momoa helped her feel more at ease during some of the more intense moments.

In the first episode, Clarke's character Daenerys (Dany, for short) is forced into a politically motivated marriage to a much older man, Momoa's Khal Drogo, from a much different culture than her own, and on their wedding night, Drogo has his way with his new bride, in a particularly forceful manner.

When MTV News caught up with Momoa recently, the man behind the brutal warrior, we asked him what it took to get through those particularly graphic scenes with Clarke and when we might see the kinder side of Khal Drogo.

"It's hard," he said. "It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, because I love Emilia, she's someone that I love and adore to this day. You have to kind of separate [yourself from] it," he explained, adding that there were lots of warm fuzzies exchanged after they finished filming the scene.

"Lots of kisses and 'I'm sorry' afterwards," he said. "It's horrible, but Kahl Drogo, that's what he does. Then you watch and you see him like this, your interpretation of what the character is, but by the end, you absolutely fall in love with him and you find out a soft side."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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