I was invited by Disney on an all expenses paid trip to cover the CaptainAmericaEvent. All opinions are my own.
It was so great to be able to talk with Emily VanCamp who plays “Sharon Carter / Agent 13”, in Captain America Civil War. She was in Captain America Winter Soldier, but she has more screen time in this movie, and I enjoyed seeing more of her character and getting to know her more. And Emily so sweet in person and just a delight to listen to, she is so eloquent.
You kicked some serious butt in this movie. Can you tell us about your training?
Emily: It’s just a lot of working out really. I had already sort of done some training for Revenge so it was like an easier segue into the films but, you wanna go into these movies feeling really strong and feeling fit and I wanna be able to keep up. We were wrapping Revenge while I started training for the movie which is very interesting and I kind of realized how much I should have done that for Revenge. I mean, I was fit doing Revenge but I was like ‘this is another level’. It’s fun. I love that stuff. I was a dancer so all that physical activity is great and sort of helps with the sequences and stuff ‘cause ultimately it’s choreography, so. Yeah, I hope to get to do more of it.
Was there any scene that was particularly difficult for you?
I wouldn’t say difficult. I think in these movies you just don’t wanna screw it up. Everyone’s bringing their A game. I was saying earlier, it’s very rare that you go into a movie almost already knowing it’s going to be great and successful because of just historically they’ve been so successful. So you wanna bring your A game and you wanna show up. I was in Winter’s Soldier but not very much, so it’s always a little intimidating. There’s that nervous factor before you go into it but everyone’s so kind and generous, and the Russo Brothers have always made me feel so comfortable. So I wouldn’t say difficult You just wanna do the best job you can.
How do you feel knowing you’re going to go down in history as Agent 13?
It’s really cool. Being a part of this universe is really a special thing especially with the movies that they’re making and how good they are. It’s really, really cool and I’m really happy to do it with the people I’m doing it with because as I said everyone’s great and super talented. These movies could have been very sort of surface level but what I love about Marvel is how they delve into the characters. They sort of give us the freedom as well to create a version of the character that hopefully the fans will like and it’s a really fun process. So the fact that people love the movies is like an extra bonus.
What parts of you went into the character?
What I love about Sharon is her moral compass. I think she has a really strong moral compass and I think that’s what her and Steven initially sort of identify with each other, and ultimately in the comic books it led to a very complicated relationship. But there’s gotta be something that sort of brings them together as well as their love of Peggy. I think there’s an initial trust there that maybe he doesn’t have with anyone else and maybe she doesn’t have with anyone else. So I really enjoyed that but in terms of what I identify with, I love a girl with a strong moral compass and a lot of integrity and I think she really has that. I think you see her struggle with that within this film because she’s battling her work and her loyalty to her work. Team Cap rebels against that and it’s like, is she gonna follow her head or her heart? I think people can relate to that that struggle.
We’re hearing from you how much you enjoy bringing a female part into a very powerful position. So I’m very curious to know if you had a favorite super hero growing up?
It’s really interesting. Someone else asked me that recently and I was trying to think of like a superhero that I looked up to. I was obsessed with the Ninja Turtles, I’m not gonna lie. I was one like four years in a row for Halloween and I was trying to figure out, do they count as superheroes? I don’t know, but that was my thing. And probably inspired some of these characters I really like to play.
How does it feel to have a POP! figure?
I was just noticing this [she said pointing to the Agent 13 POP! figure on the table]. I never actually saw it out of the box. It’s hilarious. I think she’s pretty cool. That’s awesome. I gotta get one for my mom or something. That’s really cool.
–SMALL SPOILERS–
Tell us about your action fight scene?
I really only have one proper fight sequence when she’s going up against Bucky. So, I probably didn’t need to do as much training as I did but I mean they have the most incredible stunt team ever and they sort of get you to a place where you’re really comfortable with the movement and you work it. It’s always challenging but it’s a lot of fun to be honest. I really love it.
Tell us about the kiss.
I didn’t even think I was allowed to talk about that, but I’m realizing everyone’s seen it so I guess I can talk about it. It’s kind of refreshing to see Captain in a more intimate situation and like I said they have chemistry. It was there even in The Winter’s Soldier I would say, so it’s kind of nice to see it finally happen.
–END SPOILER–
So this group is divided Team Cap and Team Iron Man. What team are you on in real life? Are you Team Cap?
Well I have to be on Team Cap. I have to because I’m travelling with Team Iron Man and the truth is she’s very torn. I mean she’s got this struggle in this movie where she’s like sort of on the sly, giving information, but trying to keep her job. So I guess for the viewers it could potentially go either way, but I think for me, as I’m leaving, for me to say I was anything but Team Cap would be massive problems. But also, I agree with him. I do agree with him and watching the movie I was kind of really trying to take myself out of it and my sort of personal connection to the character and sort of think okay, well what do I think? And I really get what he’s doing. I truly do.
How do you feel that you’re a be a role model for females and young girls?
I always hate it when I hear actors or musicians or people in the public eye say that they have no obligation to be any sort of role model. Because, it’s not like you have an obligation, but you have a choice. Why would you not choose to empower young women and use yourself as a vehicle when you have a voice to kind of inspire that? I don’t see why you wouldn’t. But I guess in terms of being a role model, I know it’s not a responsibility, but it’s something that I feel connected to. I have three sisters. I have wonderful women in my life and I just wanna see girls have the best opportunities they possibly can and if I can inspire that in the tiniest way I don’t see why I wouldn’t.
You mentioned training for Revenge. How does your character compare and contrast between the two?
Meaning Emily Thorn and Sharon Carter? Someone asked me who would win in a battle the other day. And I was really thinking about it because I think Sharon’s incredibly technical and has this obviously very serious real training. It’s not like some sensei that she had in Japan, but I think Emily would win because she’s so tortured. She’s just fueled by so much anger so I kind of feel like she unleashes the rage. But I think it would be a really close fight. Sharon might just be missing a little bit of an edge.
It was such a delight to talk with her and learn more about her role in this movie. Here is our group photo with Emily.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR opens in theaters everywhere this Friday, May 6th!
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“Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” finds Steve Rogers leading the newly formed team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. But after another incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability, headed by a governing body to oversee and direct the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers, resulting in two camps—one led by Steve Rogers and his desire for the Avengers to remain free to defend humanity without government interference, and the other following Tony Stark’s surprising decision to support government oversight and accountability. Get ready to pick a side and join the nonstop action playing out on two fronts when Marvel’s “Captain America: Civil War” opens in U.S. theaters on May 6, 2016.”-Marvel
