In Captain America: The First Avengers, we get to see a skinny, lifeless version of Steve Rogers played by Chris Evans. The thing is, actor Chris Evans has a tall, muscular body. So how did Marvel film Steve Rogers looking small?
1. The actor in that scene was stuntman Leander Deeny
Leander Deeny is an actor born in 1980, he played a role in the movie Captain America: The First Avengers, although many people did not realize it. Of course this was no ordinary role, he became a stunt double for the skinny version of Steve Rogers. So why if it’s Leander Deeny’s body but Chris Evans’ face? Turns out there was a trick used by Marvel Studios here.
2. The trick is that Chris Evans does a scene and then Leander Deeny, then goes into the CG process.
Looking behind the scenes of the movie Captain America: The First Avengers, we will know how and the process of creating a skinny version of Steve Rogers. Initially Chris Evans performed the scene under the direction of director Joe Johnston and the script. Leander Deeny then mimicked a similar scene, even mimicking Chris Evans’ movements, body gestures, and facial expressions as closely as possible.
The next process was then moved to CG editing to use Leander Deeny’s body but Chris Evans’ face and head.
3. Lola Visual Effects Company is responsible for this scene
Lola Visual Effects Company is the company that Marvel Studios commissioned the scene with, and this scene is also part of their portfolio. One of the hardest things Lola Visual Effects did in the skinny Steve Rogers scene was tweaking the jaws and cheeks of Chris Evans and Leander Deeny.
As you can see in the image above, Leander Deeny has a thin jawline and cheeks, while Chris Evans has a large jawline and cheeks. It took a long time for Leander Deeny’s body to match Chris Evans’ head.
4. The skinny Steve Rogers in The Winter Soldier is a “different person”
You may remember that in Captain America: The Winter Soldier there is a flashback to Steve Rogers’ past. At that time Steve Rogers was still a scrawny young man. Interestingly, the stunt double for Chris Evans in this scene is not actor Leander Deeny anymore. But the person in charge of the stunt position this time is Christopher George Sarris. It’s also unclear why Deeny doesn’t return in The Winter Soldier.
