Chris Evans talks exclusively to Friday about scent, stunts and self-help books

Having enjoyed commercial success ever since his first role in the 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie, the Captain America franchise along with his Gucci deal have sealed Evans’ status as both a household face and name. But he still insists that his main goal is for his family to be happy, and does charity work at his local hospital whenever he’s back in his hometown.

In the run-up to Captain America sequel, The Winter Soldier out next year, we try to get under the skin of a superhero who hates to be typecast…

Do you feel pressure to look good?

Yes, I suppose I do. It’s a matter of trying not to listen to it; once you start it’s hard to get out of that mindset. But I think it’s all relative. In the past men have always felt the need to look a certain way, it’s just the way they want to look may have changed over time.

What’s your grooming routine?

We’ve heard you do some charity work. Could you tell us more about it?

I help out at Boston Children’s Hospital. I try to do it every time I go back to Boston. It generally involves going from room to room, sitting and chatting with the kids – some are more healthy than others, so you need to be conscious of how much each one of them can take. Kids are a real soft spot for me. I had such a good childhood and it’s so sad if kids are robbed of that because of ill health. I will try to do anything I can to put a smile on their faces.

Your career highlight so far?

Being in The Avengers. It’s the biggest thing I’ve done and it was so well received. Sometimes you can invest a lot in a movie and have a great experience yourself but for it also to be well received is a real treat.

Your ultimate career goal?

So what motivates you to work?

You’ve played a superhero many times. What is heroism to you?

Putting yourself last… Putting other people’s needs before your own.

And what superpower would you choose if you could pick any one?

Flight – it would be crazy not to. I don’t know who could pass that up.

You’ve been in everything from action movies to comedy and sci fi. What do you think the genre of the film of your life would be?

I’d say dramody – a mixture of drama and comedy. I don’t know how much action there would be in my real life…

Speaking of action, is it true that you do your own stunts?

I like to. It depends if the production will let you, because of course if you get injured then production is stalled. Any time they feel comfortable with me taking the gloves off and getting into the ring, I am all up for it.

Have you ever been injured doing stunts?

I’ve got some bumps and bruises along the way but it’s all part of the job.

So when you’re not being beaten up, what is the hardest part of your job?

What do you do to pass the time?

Depends, but I like to read or play guitar, mainly singer-songwriter kind of tunes. I learnt the guitar while on film sets. If you bring a guitar with you by the end of it you’ll probably be pretty good.

What kind of books do you read?

It might sound kind of strange but they probably come under the self-help section. I like Eckhart Tolle. Philosophy. The Power of Now is a really great book, I found it totally inspiring. It’s the way I want to live my life.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I just like variety, whatever I’m in the mood for – I try not to think too far into the future, and try to stay as much in the present moment as I can. If I just spend three or four months doing a drama, I may be hungry for a comedy. Whatever grabs me in the moment is what I pursue.