Stanley Tucci Says ‘Captain America’ Was ‘One of the Greatest Roles’ He’s Had, Even Though He Was ‘Insulted’ by the Casting

Stanley Tucci is falling on Marvel‘s shield amid the cinephile discord.

The actor told Variety that his small role in 2011 tentpole Marvel film “Captain America: The First Avenger” was one of his most beloved experiences.

“You also have the fun big movies that you do,” Tucci said of balancing indies with blockbusters. “I loved ‘Captain America: The First Avenger,’ it was one of the greatest roles and jobs I’ve ever had. I was there for three weeks and had a wonderful time, and I also loved playing that character.”

However, Tucci quipped that he was originally “insulted” by his casting as a much older character.

“I was cast as a 70-year-old man at the age of 50, so that was disturbing,” he said, “but that’s all right; I was flattered and insulted at the same time … You have to mix it up, as they say.”

Tucci also reflected on his smaller films, including “Supernova” alongside Colin Firth.

“It’s an absolutely beautiful film,” Tucci said. “I love that director [Harry Macqueen] and it got wonderful reviews and everything, though there were no awards or anything like that. That made me sad for the director/writer because I think he’s extraordinary. Getting an independent film about that subject off the ground like that is hard, and I wanted him to have more. I wanted him to have more success afterward…”

Tucci is in the midst of awards season with “Conclave,” and added that it’s been uplifting to be part of a feature that appeals to a wide audience — one that’s a bit different from the Marvel crowd.

“From what I’ve heard, I’m shocked at the diversity of the audience. Also, this is a very adult film,” he said of “Conclave.” “But it’s not pretentious. It simply shows you what’s happening. And these people are making it happen or failing and fumbling to make it happen, and I think that’s why people like it.”

Tucci likes where his career is at now, though it’s been a bumpy road at times. He previously told Vanity Fair that it was difficult for him to find work following the iconic 2006 film “The Devil Wears Prada.”

“After ‘The Devil Wears Prada,’ I couldn’t get a job, and I didn’t quite understand that,” Tucci said, “but that’s just the way it was. So I went and did stuff that I didn’t necessarily want to do, but I did it. You could be really choosy and live in a hovel, but I want to live a nice life. So part of your decisions are based on that, and part of them are just artistic. My career has always gone through these fluctuations, and sometimes it’s just the business.”