The Avengers

If any actor knows the anxieties and payoff of stepping onto the silver screen as a superhero, it’s Robert Downey Jr., who super-charged his career by donning the armor of Iron Man for a franchise that has pulled in more than $1.2 billion in worldwide box office. On Tuesday at the premiere of “Captain America: The First Avenger” at the El Capitan Theatre, Downey said he knew what it was like to walk a mile in the red boots of Chris Evans, the latest Marvel Universe star.

“Evans has had just a nerve-racking summer up to this point,” he said. “Up until this night, you’re starting to get the feedback and people are saying, ‘Wow, this really works. And we’re happy and reviews are good and it looks like the numbers are gonna be good.’ It’s a horrible part of the job that we do. But it’s nice when he’s on this side of it, I imagine, for him.”

It remains to be seen how the public will receive “Captain America” – but Evans already has a big fan in Downey. “First of all, look at the man’s profile. Very handsome. Second of all — very capable actor,” the actor said. So the pair and the rest of the team are getting along on the set of “Avengers”?

“It’s a nightmare,” Downey said with a winking tone. “I’m not talking to these clowns. No. It’s really fun. It’s been surprisingly fun. Also, [‘Avengers’ director] Joss Whedon has really taken us to new depths of discovery for our characters. And I think the movie going audiences – myself among them – should be pleased.”