While some know Chris Evans from Fantastic Four, others are better-acquainted with the actor because of a notorious, shirtless photo shoot he did almost five years ago for Flaunt magazine.

Now, after having lost out on some of the "serious actor" parts he's auditioned for (like James Franco's role in Milk), Evans tells The Advocate that he has a new publicist, IDPR's Carrie Byalick, who's determined to clothe him to the top. Can her anti-beefcake strategy work, or is it an uphill battle for an actor whose first page of Google Image Search results is almost 50% half-clothed?

Let’s discuss your sexy, now-infamous 2004 Flaunt magazine photo shoot — and why you seem more hesitant to flaunt your physique.
 I really didn’t think twice about taking my shirt off at the time, but my current publicist would pull her hair out if I did that photo shoot today. If I got to a photo shoot and they said, “OK, we’re going to do some shirtless shots,” I’d say, “Fine. No big deal.” It never really occurred to me that that could be misinterpreted as a bad thing or as selling out.

Do you think those photos hurt you?
 I couldn’t care less, and I don’t think it makes one lick of difference. But I hired my publicist for her professional opinion, and she seems to think it’s a mistake. I have no problem taking my shirt off for a role if the part calls for it, but my publicist says, “When you’re promoting yourself, being you, there’s a way to keep it as classy as possible. Greasing yourself up and stripping down may not be the best way to do it.” To some degree, she may have a point. But at the end of the day, it didn’t bother me then and it doesn’t bother me now.

Never fear, Chris: Matthew McConaughey has blazed a new, oiled path for potential A-listers who simply can't (nay, shouldn't) be bothered to wear a shirt. In a world where Scott Caan can flash his twig and two berries and receive universal acclaim previously unknown to him, a torso-baring photo shoot is hardly an obstacle on the path to Oscar. (Just don't get any ideas, Frank Langella.)