Amidst awards consideration for his supporting performance in Conclave, actor Stanley Tucci reflected on his Marvel Cinematic Universe experience, sharing that he considers Captain America: The First Avenger to be one of his greatest acting jobs.
Who did Stanley Tucci play in Captain America: The First Avenger?
Released in 2011, Marvel Studios‘ Captain America: The First Avenger tells the origin story of the title superhero, Steve Rogers/Captain America, in World World II. The movie follows the young American played by Chris Evans as he joins the Army, is injected with the Super Soldier Serum that transforms him into Captain America, and fights the villainous leader of HYDRA, the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving). Tucci co-stars in The First Avenger as Doctor Abraham Erskine, the scientist who created the Super Soldier Serum. With Erskine dying shortly after Rogers’ transformation, the character was not seen again in the MCU until the What If…? episode “What If… Captain Carter Were The First Avenger?”, with Tucci reprising the role.
In an interview with Variety, Tucci opened up about the films he’s starred in that he thinks have stood the test of time, such as The First Avenger.
“Then you also have the fun big movies that you do. I loved Captain America: The First Avenger, it was one of the greatest roles and jobs I’ve ever had. I was there for three weeks and had a wonderful time, and I also loved playing that character,” he remarked. “I was cast as a 70-year-old man at the age of 50, so that was disturbing, but that’s all right; I was flattered and insulted at the same time . . . You have to mix it up, as they say.”
While Tucci’s time in the MCU was short-lived, Captain America has continued to play a major role in the shared universe. The fourth installment in the MCU sub-franchise, Captain America: Brave New World, is set to hit theaters this February. However, instead of Evans’ Steve Rogers, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will be carrying the shield in the movie, marking the character’s first solo movie since taking on the mantle of Captain America.
Captain America: Brave New World opens in theaters on February 14, 2025, as part of Phase 5 of the MCU.