Chris Evans Reveals His Surprising Relationship with Scarlett Johansson: ‘She’s My Older Sister’

Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson’s bond goes beyond their shared Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) adventures. As Johansson was honored as one of Time’s 100 most influential people of 2025, Evans took a moment to reflect on their decades-long friendship, highlighting not only his admiration for her but the deep familial connection they share.

In an essay for Time, Evans, 43, revealed his unique perspective on Johansson, 40, describing her as his “older sister,” despite the fact that she is three years younger than him. Their friendship began in 2002 while filming The Perfect Score, and Evans recalls being struck by Johansson’s “wisdom, talent, and grit beyond her years,” even at the age of 17. “I quickly revered her as any younger sibling would, with equal parts admiration and intimidation,” Evans wrote, emphasizing how Johansson’s maturity and work ethic left a lasting impression on him.

A Relationship Built on Respect and Admiration

Throughout their years working together on various projects, including their iconic roles in the Avengers franchise, Evans has always held Johansson in the highest regard. In his Time essay, Evans called her “one of the most versatile, influential and bankable actors of her generation,” and went on to describe her as “a pioneer, a rebel, a force, an artist without limits and, most important, without fear.”

“That’s why even though I’m older, I learn from her, I lean on her, and I look up to her,” Evans added, expressing the deep respect and admiration he has for his co-star. His words paint a picture of a relationship built not only on professional collaboration but also on genuine personal admiration, akin to a sibling-like bond. “There’s absolutely nothing she can’t do,” Evans concluded, further reinforcing his belief in her talent and capability.

More Than Just Superheroes: Tattoos and Group Chats

Beyond their roles in the MCU, Evans and Johansson share a fun, personal connection, including a permanent reminder of their friendship. In 2018, Robert Downey Jr. revealed that he, Johansson, Evans, along with Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner, all got matching tattoos, commemorating their time together as part of the Avengers team. Mark Ruffalo, however, opted out of the group tattoo.

Johansson’s close-knit relationship with her MCU co-stars extends beyond tattoos, with the cast maintaining an active group chat. In an interview with The New York Times, Johansson confirmed the existence of this group thread, joking that “nobody will ever read it.” She also mentioned how the group chat remains a place where they stay connected, offering support and humor—even if it means sharing “terrible reviews” about each other. Johansson shared that when a message is sent to the group, it’s usually met with a quick response, reflecting the enduring camaraderie among the group that began with their shared experiences in the MCU.

Family Beyond the Screen

For Johansson, the MCU cast is more than just a professional collaboration—they’re a family. “We’ve been through an incredible experience over a decade plus of time,” Johansson said in the interview. “It was life-changing for all of us.” Despite her Black Widow character’s storyline concluding with her solo movie in 2021, Johansson continues to maintain strong, familial ties with her Avengers co-stars. Her recognition that the bond between the original six Avengers remains as strong as ever speaks to the deep connections forged both on and off-screen.

Their friendship, grounded in mutual respect and admiration, continues to thrive as they move forward in their careers, celebrating each other’s successes and maintaining a close-knit group that began during their time together in the MCU. For Evans and Johansson, their bond is a reminder that the best relationships—whether professional or personal—are built on respect, support, and, above all, a shared sense of family.