By Jordyn Hermani
Staff Writer
Posted: February 13, 2020 10:41 AM

Earlier last month, Captain America/Avengers star Chris Evans told the technology magazine Wired he has embarked on a journey which his on-screen comic book persona would be proud of: trying to get the American people more informed on what's going on with and within their government.

The website – called A Starting Point – allegedly is going to model itself similarly to Wikipedia, but instead of long slogs through texts on complex political terms and ideas, it would comprise video interviews with political leaders alongside easier to understand explanations. The thought, Mr. Evans to told Wired, was to get "a basic understanding, a basic history, and a basic grasp on what the two parties think" of any trending political hot topic. To be a database, not a platform.

While the website's not yet live, Mr. Evans has been gathering politicos to help film interviews for people who might use the site since as early as April 2019.

Who might some of those interviews be with? The film star hasn't said. But turning to Twitter, one might find two prominent Michigan political faces having recently posted photos of themselves with Mr. Evans: Governor Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-Saint Joseph).

We had a MARVELous day with @ChrisEvans yesterday! pic.twitter.com/uqhe0CaHzc

— Gretchen Whitmer (@gretchenwhitmer) February 10, 2020

Ms. Whitmer has not confirmed that her meeting with Mr. Evans was for his Starting Point project, though it seems likely, especially with the onslaught of other politicians across the country sharing selfies with Mr. Evans and endorsing his project.

Mr. Upton, however, enthusiastically signed on to the idea in his own post. Upton spokesperson Josh Paciorek confirmed the two talked about climate change, tax cuts and the national debt in their interview.

With Captain America himself, @ChrisEvans. Very excited about his project #AStartingPoint and the bipartisan dialogue it will bring to our politics.

It's about time we unite again as a nation. If not us, who? If not now, when? ???? pic.twitter.com/nM9nN9eOkZ

— Fred Upton (@RepFredUpton) February 12, 2020

Whether there'll be other Michigan political faces to join in, who's to say? Even if it's only Ms. Whitmer and Mr. Upton who have participated in A Starting Point, it's important to see our state leaders included in a conversation about bipartisan civility. It's especially important, considering Michigan's voting habits in the last four years – with President Donald Trump having narrowly won the state in 2016, yet Democrats dominating in 2018, sweeping the top of the ticket and flipping some long-time Republican districts in the Legislature.