Why Sebastian Stan Replaced Chris Evans In Devil All The Time

Director Antonio Campos originally cast Chris Evans in The Devil All the Time, so why did fellow MCU star Sebastian Stan nab the role he almost played? Based on the eponymous 2011 novel by Donald Ray Pollock, the Coen Brothers-like crime drama follows various American families who deal with constant tragedy. The Devil All the Time released in September 2020 on Netflix.

The Devil All the Time features an ensemble cast, including many familiar faces from the MCU. Tom Holland (Spider-Man) stars as Arvin Russell, a character who attempts to seek a better life beyond his native Ohio. Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier) co-stars as Sheriff Lee Bodecker, a man who bends the law and worries about the criminal activities of his sister, Sandy (Riley Keogh). The main cast is rounded out by the DCEU’s new Batman, Robert Pattinson, who delivers a unique performance as the morally-flimsy preacher, Preston Teagardin. The Devil All the Time co-stars accomplished female performers such as Mia Wasikowska (Crimson Peak), Eliza Scanlen (Sharp Objects), and Haley Bennett (Swallow).

Evans had originally planned to star as Sheriff Lee Bodecker in The Devil All the Time, but dropped out because of a scheduling conflict in February 2019. The MCU star then put in a good word for Stan, his long-time collaborator who reprises his franchise role in the upcoming Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Based on initial reports from Deadline, Evans’ schedule got “really crowded” after committing to Antoine Fuqua’s Infinite and the Apple TV+ series, Finding Jacob. As for Stan, his 2019 commitments involved Endings, Beginnings and the war film, The Last Full Measure. Stan has a notable role in The Devil All the Time, but doesn’t have the same screen time as H0lland or IT star Bill Skarsgård.

Stan delivers an outlier performance in The Devil All the Time, as his character is slightly out of shape. Sheriff Lee Bodecker clearly enjoys the power that his job affords him, but he’s constantly nervous about what might happen—the result of his questionable behavior. Therefore, Bodecker is no different that most of the film’s characters, all of whom appear to be normal people on the surface, but have dark issues to deal with underneath. Despite Stan’s obvious fame, he’s arguably a better casting choice than Evans because he doesn’t bring Captain America baggage to the role. Evans certainly could have delivered a perfectly acceptable performance as B0decker, but Campos’ film may have lost some credibility by pairing Holland with Evans.

The Devil All the Time will most likely be a polarizing film, due to its violence and blatant cinematic homages. Behind the camera, Campos has directed gems like Afterschool, Simon Killer, and Christine. He’s also an accomplished producer who seems to understand the beauty of a top-notch suspense narrative. In the future, expect Evans and Campos to collaborate for some type of gritty thriller.

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Q.V. Hough
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Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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