Chris Evans is officially joining the cast of My Darling California, taking over the role originally set for Josh Brolin after the actor exited the project due to scheduling conflicts.

The crime thriller -- directed by Magazine Dreams filmmaker Elijah Bynum -- already boasts a heavyweight ensemble including Jessica Chastain, Don Cheadle, Mikey Madison and Charles Melton.

Filming is expected to kick off in late summer, with cameras rolling from August into September, according to Deadline.

The project also marks a major first: despite years of MCU jokes, memes and fan‑casting, Chris Evans and Chris Pine have never actually appeared in a film together -- until now.

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Los Angeles, the film follows a single crime that sends shockwaves through the lives of a TV presenter, his dissatisfied wife, a country music star, a pair of low‑level criminals and a recently released ex‑con -- all of them chasing their own version of the American dream.

Evans is also gearing up for his epic return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday.

Having left the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following 2019's Avengers: Endgame, Evans, 44, is set to return as Steve Rogers, A.K.A Captain America, in the upcoming blockbuster.

Thor actor Chris Hemsworth said of his return: "I thought it was pretty cool when Evans comes up on the motorbike, and because no one knew he was going to be in the film, and then there he is."

Hemsworth pointed to the connection between Evans and Steve Rogers, with both the actor and his character having recently become fathers.

He added: "I just thought it was cool. And he had a baby in real life and in Marvel life."

Evans became a dad for the first time in October.

His wife Alba Baptista - who married the Hollywood star in 2023 - gave birth to their baby on October 24 in Massachusetts.