Canadian Emily VanCamp finds calm in 'Captain America' chaos

Canadian actress Emily VanCamp poses for a photograph in Toronto on Friday, April 29, 2016. (Nathan Denette / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO -- After four seasons portraying the vengeful lead character on soapy mystery series "Revenge," Canadian star Emily VanCamp welcomed the chance to dial down the drama and ratchet up the action onscreen in "Captain America: Civil War."

"On 'Revenge,' I used to do loads of physical scenes and fight sequences; and I always found it was more the intensity of who she was and what she was feeling that was bringing me down by the end of each season," VanCamp said during a recent interview in Toronto.

"It was kind of fun to go and transition into 'Civil War' where there may be a little bit less to do -- if I'm being totally honest -- emotionally. But because I had come from four years of just high, high emotion and intensity it was a very welcome break.

"Emily Thorne was a very complicated individual," she added with a laugh about her "Revenge" character. "She definitely tired me out."

Fortunately for VanCamp, fatigue from her small-screen alter ego wasn't a factor as she filmed the latest instalment of the blockbuster franchise in the sweltering Atlanta heat.

"I mean, you want to be in shape when you show up to do a Marvel film -- let's be honest," said the Port Perry, Ont., native who portrays CIA agent Sharon Carter.

"I had done a lot of these (fight) sequences on 'Revenge.' It wasn't new to me. I also had a dance background, so the choreography comes a little bit more naturally to me.

"You want to look strong and you want to be strong, and also, everybody is in such great shape on these films you want to keep up.... But it's so much fun. I love doing that stuff, so hopefully I get to do more of it."

In "Captain America: Civil War," which arrives in theatres Friday, VanCamp's character reteams onscreen with the captain himself, portrayed by Chris Evans.

Captain America -- a.k.a. Steve Rogers -- leads a newly formed team of Avengers facing an onslaught of challenges, including a series of catastrophic global events and the desire of a governing body to have greater oversight of the group. As the film progresses, multiple cracks begin to surface within the typically unified team.

Amid the chaos, Carter and Rogers are able to share a few quieter moments, reconnecting after their initial encounters in 2014's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

"She really does prove over and over again -- even in 'Winter Soldier' but specifically in 'Civil War' -- that she's incredibly loyal to Steve," said VanCamp.

"Sharon just truly believes in Steve's cause and is willing to sacrifice a lot to help them along the way, and basically give up all of her hard work to rebel against the government for him. It's really sweet, I think. And I do think that the relationship is definitely earned.

"They do have that chemistry in 'The Winter Soldier,' but he still doesn't really know who she truly is."

VanCamp said she's completely OK with not having a superpower in the film, noting that there are other valuable skills that make Carter an asset.

"It's nice to be able to play a rooted character in a universe of this scale, and her power is her fearlessness and her force and her toughness."