Chris Evans Opens Up About Fatherhood — and Dodger’s Sweet New Role as Big Brother

The Captain America star shared a rare glimpse into life as a new dad during a Dodo Dream Date with rescue dogs Greg and Carly.

Chris Evans has spent years playing one of the most recognizable heroes in pop culture, but lately, the role occupying most of his heart is a much more personal one: dad.

During a new appearance on The Dodo’s Dream Date, the former Captain America star opened up about fatherhood, his rescue dog Dodger’s transition into life as a big brother and even the movie from his career he wishes more people talked about.

And somehow, he did all of it while attempting to play pong with a pair of extremely distracting rescue dogs.

Evans met Greg and Carly, a bonded pair who have to be adopted together, for a game filled with treats, toys and conversation starters. When one prompt asked what had surprised him most about becoming a new girl dad, Evans’ answer was simple.

“How much you miss them,” Evans said.

He explained that the feeling can hit almost immediately after putting his daughter down for a nap.

“We’ll put her down for a nap, and I’m just like, I just wanna see what she’s looking like on the baby monitor,” Evans said. “You miss her while you’re holding her, you know what I mean? It’s a strange feeling. You just wanna be around her all the time.”

It’s another rare glimpse into Evans’ life as a father after he recently opened up about how parenthood has changed the way he approaches his career.

During his appearance at Fan Expo Boston earlier this month, Evans told fans that becoming a dad had shifted his priorities.

“I have a daughter now,” Evans said during the panel. “You need a really good reason to want to go to work now. So, you know, priorities have shifted a bit.”

Apparently, those priorities now also include checking the baby monitor during nap time just because he misses her.

Dodger Has Taken His Big Brother Duties Seriously

Evans also talked about another important member of the family: Dodger.

Asked what it has been like watching his longtime rescue dog become a big brother, Evans said Dodger has been “incredible.”

“He’s so loving. He’s so protective,” Evans said. “He’ll sleep outside her room when she’s napping.”

According to Evans, Dodger has always seemed to understand when he needs to be gentle.

He recalled seeing the same instinct years ago around his sister’s young children. While a game of tug-of-war between Evans and Dodger could turn into a full-on battle, the dog instinctively knew to “turn the volume down” while playing with Evans’ niece.

“He has a great instinct for, you know, young things, whether it’s a person or a puppy,” Evans said. “He’s very gentle.”

Now, Evans says Dodger has shown that same gentleness with his daughter.

“It warms the heart.”

So yes, apparently Captain America’s dog is also taking his protective duties extremely seriously.

Chris Evans Says Sunshine Is the Movie He Wishes More People Talked About

The Dream Date wasn’t entirely about fatherhood.

One of the game’s prompts asked Evans to name a role or project from his career that he wishes more people talked about.

His answer?

Sunshine.

Evans starred in Danny Boyle’s sci-fi film and said he still has a soft spot for the project years later.

“I did a movie years ago called Sunshine with Danny Boyle, sci-fi movie that kind of came and went,” Evans said. “And it’s a shame because I really liked it.”

Evans said he enjoyed both making the film and the people he worked with, adding, “Thought it was a great movie. It just — that happens sometimes.”

For anyone who has spent years insisting Sunshine deserved more love, congratulations: Chris Evans apparently agrees with you.

Between Sunshine, becoming a dad and Dodger’s promotion to protective big brother, the Dream Date covered a surprising amount of ground.

But Greg and Carly were technically supposed to be the stars.

The bonded rescue dogs are looking for a forever home together through the Animal Rescue League of Boston. By the end of his date, Evans was very clearly charmed by both.

“They are a couple of sweethearts,” Evans said, “and I really hope someone out there gives them their forever home.”

Considering Greg spent part of the interview happily parked beside Captain America, we’d say his celebrity Dream Date went pretty well.