Succession's Jeremy Strong Almost Played Skinny Captain America

Jeremy Strong, who stars on HBO's Succession, has revealed he could have played the skinny version of Captain America in the 2011 film. Speaking to The Times, Strong said he auditioned to play the role of the undersized Steve Rogers before he became the more muscly Captain America.

"They needed someone to play Captain America's young body, before he turns into a superhero," Strong said. "They said they needed a transformational actor and would use CGI to put the actual actor's face and voice over my own."

Strong said he auditioned for this part when he was "broke" and "needed money." He said he considered taking the role but ultimately chose to pass.

After this, Strong said he felt like he couldn't make it work in Los Angeles, so he moved to New York and took a role in a play as a Afghanistan war veteran.

The Times also spoke to Chris Evans, who played Captain America. He said Strong's story is representative of how Hollywood is "so unpredictable."

"I'm so happy things worked out, because I don't think there was ever plan B for Jeremy," Evans said. In the end, actor Leander Deeny played skinny Steve Rogers in The First Avenger, and Evans' face was put onto his body with CGI.

Strong, who won an Emmy for playing Kendall Roy in Succession, will reprise the role in Succession Season 4 in early 2023. As for Captain America, Evans is retiring the shield, passing it to Anthony Mackie.