First Avenger: Captain America

[Zeno]

More on Capt America...

It's one thing to take Batman off the comic-book page and make his costume still look good in a live-action feature, but Captain America presents a far bigger challenge — the hero is essentially a walking flag, which might leave many average moviegoers giggling instead of saluting.

But director Joe Johnston and the team at Marvel Studios have a plan for "The First Avenger: Captain America," which is due in Summer 2011: They've added a new wrinkle to the classic mythology to explain why a scientifically enhanced super-soldier would venture out in the WWII battlefields in a costume that leans a bit heavy on the old Betsy Ross imagery.

"The costume is a flag, but the way we're getting around that is we have Steve Rogers forced into the USO circuit. After he's made into this super-soldier, they decide they can't send him into combat and risk him getting killed. He's the only one and they can't make more. So they say, 'You're going to be in this USO show' and they give him a flag suit. He can't wait to get out of it."

That's a whole new concept and it's one that sounds pretty promising. "It was never in the comics," Johnston said, "because they didn't really need it. In comics, he puts on the costume and the reader just justifies because of the nature of the medium."

Johnston told me all this when we sat down for lunch today at the Four Seasons Hotel. For an hour we chatted about his new film, "The Wolfman" (which you can read about next week right here at the Hero Complex) but I had to ask him a bit about the Captain America production. Filming starts in London at the end of June. "There's a lot of work we have to do on it," the 59-year-old director said.

And who will wear the costume and carry the shield? "Well, we're testing five or six guys," Johnston said. "The youngest is 23, the oldest is 32. Most of the guys in the war are just kids, 18 or 19, but we want to go a little bit older. We have to have somebody locked in before I leave March 1 for London."

A challenge, he said, is finding an actor that can play scenes as "98-pound-weakling" Steve Rogers and also pull off the brawny hero scenes, although some visual effects wizardry will come into play. Johnson has plenty of experience on that front as the director of "Jumanji," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and "Jurassic Park III" He also had art director credits on major Lucasfilm projects, including "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Empire Strikes Back."

Johnston also directed "The Rocketeer," an underrated 1991 film based on the retro-hero created by the late great Dave Stevens. I asked Johnston if he thought the vintage flair of that film might have caught the eye of the Marvel brain trust as they looked around for a filmmaker to handle a 1940s action movie.

"I think it's probably possible that it was an influence," he said. "I think they were looking for somebody that could handle the visual effects. I think that was a big part of it. And with visual effects, all you really need to know is what is possible. And these days, actually, that's almost anything. Not everything is affordable, but almost everything is approachable."

I wanted to come back to the idea of Steve Rogers as a reluctant performer with United Services Organizations, which famously brought Bob Hope and other entertainers to morale-boosting events for troops overseas.

"So he's up on stage doing songs and dances with chorus girls and he can't wait to get out and really fight. When he does go AWOL, he covers up the suit but then, after a few things happen, he realizes that this uniform allows him to lead. By then, he's become a star in the public mind and a symbol. The guys get behind him because he embodies something special."

There will be more than one costume in the film, too.

In the first USO sequences, the frustrated patriot will be wearing a version that is closer to the classic Jack Kirby-designed costume, but then later as the super-soldier hits the war zone he will be wearing a sturdier, more muted version that he makes himself that is more like battle togs. The stripes across his mid-section, for instance, will be straps, not colored fabric.

"He realizes the value of the uniform symbols but he modifies his suit and adds some armor, it will be closer to the Cpa costume in some of the comics in more recent years . . . this approach, it's the only way we could justify ever seeing him on a screen in tights, with the funny boots and everything. The government essentially puts him up there as a living comic-book character and he rips it off and then reclaims some of its imagery after he recognizes the value of it. We think it's the best way to keep the costume and explain it at the same time."

— Geoff Boucher

 

[Gaddabout]

Pretty smart there.

 

[Cardinals.Ken]

I'm interested in why you think Channing Tatum would work. He was horrid in G.I. Joe, so I can't see him pulling off anything, let alone Captain America.

In my opinion, Tatum's lack of acting talent, along with his look/physique, falls right into the sweet spot for Captain America.

It's not like there's a great deal of character development for Captain America, much like Superman. Both character's are very straight forward; truth, justice, and the American way.

I just don't feel that the role needs to be filled by a master thespian.

 

[Zeno]

Update...

March 10, 2010 - Those wanting a more square-jawed, blond and blue-eyed Steve Rogers in Captain America have gotten their wish. Oft-rumored contender John Krasinski is definitely out of the running, with The Hollywood Reporter confirming earlier reports that he was ruled out and adding that he's signed on to star in the romantic comedy Something Borrowed. So who is still in the running?

According to THR, the short list includes previously reported contenders Chris Evans (Fantastic Four), Mike Vogel (Cloverfield, Poseidon), Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy), and Wilson Bethel, whose name first surfaced in February.

The trade says Evans "has read for the part and has a test offer which may come to fruition next week. Garrett Hedlund has not tested yet though Marvel is very keen on him." Earlier reports have suggested Hedlund's reps balked at the nine-picture deal the actor playing Cap would have to sign, a deal that would include The Avengers and any of those possible sequels. The Avengers could begin filming as soon as January 2011.

Evans, Hedlund and Vogel are known to fanboy audiences thanks to their respective films, but Bethel, 26, less so. He's previously played members of the military on TV in JAG, NCIS, and, most notably, as Cpl. Evan "Q-Tip" Stafford in HBO's Generation Kill. He also played a soldier in Uwe Boll's movie Tunnel Rats. He currently appears on the daytime soap The Young and the Restless.

http://movies.ign.com/articles/107/1076166p1.html

 

[Dr. Jones]

NINE PICTURES!!!

Outstanding!

 

[Zeno]

More updates...

http://thefilmstage.com/2010/03/15/hugo-weaving-brings-evil-to-captain-america/

Frequently typecast villain Hugo Weaving will be lending his trademark evil grin to the Captain America movie slated to start shooting in early June as the primary villain, Red Skull.

and....
http://screenrant.com/channing-tatum-ryan-phillippe-captain-america-candidates-rob-48613/

Earlier today, HitFix picked up the scoop that Ryan Phillippe (Crash, Flags of Our Fathers) had joined the list of contenders vying for the coveted role of Captain America and it was re-confirmed by MTV this afternoon. At the SXSW festival this weekend, Phillippe said the following:

“ actually am going in to meet on ‘Captain America,’ which is kind of cool… After Superman, he was kind of my favorite.”

...If that wasn’t enough, Deadline is reporting their own exclusive today that Channing Tatum has been approached by Marvel

and the rumors keep going....
http://www.collider.com/2010/03/15/...emily-blunt-being-considered-for-female-lead/

Adding to the insanity, Deadline reports that Keira Knightley, Alice Eve (She’s Out of My League), and Emily Blunt are under consideration to play the female lead, which looks to be either Cap’s WWII girlfriend Peggy Carter or superhero Golden Girl (aka Betsy Ross).

 

[Zeno]

The long, drawn out process to determine who will carry the shield of America's greatest super-patriot is over. Sources have confirmed to HitFix that Chris Evans has been offered the role of the title hero in "The First Avenger: Captain America."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35957237/ns/entertainment-movies/

 

[Cheesebeef]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35957237/ns/entertainment-movies/

being offered the role and accepting the role are two different beasts... but i hope he takes it.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I don't like him in the role. He's too scrawny to be Cap. Besides, he's The Human Torch in the same freaking universe. Dumb.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't like him in the role. He's too scrawny to be Cap. Besides, he's The Human Torch in the same freaking universe. Dumb.

He'll be much better as Cap then he was as that idiot Human Torch.

I love the casting. I actually like him from Push and Sunshine.

 

[dodie53]

Ryan Reynolds was Hannibal King and Deadpool from the same Universe.

 

[Evil Ash]

I don't like him in the role. He's too scrawny to be Cap. Besides, he's The Human Torch in the same freaking universe. Dumb.

Since they're restarting the Fanastic Four franchise, he's not really two characters in the same universe anymore.

I don't mind him as the young Captain America for origin story purposes but I'm not sure I like him as the older version in later movies.

 

[Stout]

Since they're restarting the Fanastic Four franchise, he's not really two characters in the same universe anymore.

I don't mind him as the young Captain America for origin story purposes but I'm not sure I like him as the older version in later movies.

Well, he was a god-awful actor in FF, so I can't say that I'd want him to be Captain America. I bet you my friend that loves CA is pretty upset right now.

 

[Chaplin]

Well, he was a god-awful actor in FF, so I can't say that I'd want him to be Captain America. I bet you my friend that loves CA is pretty upset right now.

Everyone was in FF. You can't base much on that dreck.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Meh. Yeah I said it...and I never use that "word."

I don't like him in the role of Cap because I don't see him as the comic hero who stands 6'2" tall and weighs 240 lbs. He's too scrawny to be cap. He is the scrawny kid who takes the Super Serum and becomes Cap. I'd buy that, but if that were the case he wouldn't have gotten a 3 picture deal.

I also don't like the selection because of the other talent in the future Avengers film: RDJ, Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Norton...and...Chris Evans ?? No way. I know Chris Hemsworth is not an A-list actor either, but I don't think the actor playing Thor needs to be. Cap is a huge Marvel icon and I was hoping for a better, bigger star.

Also not sure how Hugo Weaving will do as the Red Skull. Hopefully he can pull off the role of a Nazi villain...

 

[Chaplin]

It's not like you can just choose any big name actor and throw them into this kind of role. Remember, Ed Norton didn't have to do anything--his "superhero" state was a computer generated puppet. The same could be said for RDJ.

This role requires a somewhat young guy who will be doing stunts on camera and not in a computer generated suit. I guess you've never seen Push or Sunshine, he didn't look scrawny at all in those movies. I'd like to see where your evidence is that he is "scrawny".

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think Chris Evans is a solid actor when paired with the right director (Danny Boyle) can turn in a very good performance. Pair him with Joe Johnson (who hasn't made anything remotely good since The Rocketeer) and I think Marvel might have a big turkey on their hands.

My question is this: Ultimately, isn't Cap supposed to be the leader of the Avengers? How the hell is a movie gonna pull that off... Chris Evans telling Ed Norton and RDJ what to do? That's gonna be tough to pull off.

 

[Pariah]

He doesn't have enough presence to be Cap, IMO.

That's one reason I would have liked them to write Steve Rogers as older--so you can get an actor in there that can pull it off.

 

[Chaplin]

I think Chris Evans is a solid actor when paired with the right director (Danny Boyle) can turn in a very good performance. Pair him with Joe Johnson (who hasn't made anything remotely good since The Rocketeer) and I think Marvel might have a big turkey on their hands.

My question is this: Ultimately, isn't Cap supposed to be the leader of the Avengers? How the hell is a movie gonna pull that off... Chris Evans telling Ed Norton and RDJ what to do? That's gonna be tough to pull off.

I think it's a pretty good bet that Samuel L's Nick Fury will be the leader of the Avengers.

 

[Pariah]

I think it's a pretty good bet that Samuel L's Nick Fury will be the leader of the Avengers.

He's the man behind the curtain, but on the "battlefield" it's all Cap--even if he's not the leader in name, he needs to be the leader in spirit and that needs to come through on screen, I'd think. It's extremely central to his character.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I think it's a pretty good bet that Samuel L's Nick Fury will be the leader of the Avengers.

I don't think that's really how the story goes either though and if I'm wrong, I still don't really see the guys I just mentioned being led by him either... especially Tony Stark's character as is portrayed by RDJ.

seems like they're going to have to mess with comic cannon pretty good to pull this off... which would be fine with me. i just think comic geeks will be furious (or as furious as they can be while still standing in line opening day).

 

[Chaplin]

I don't think that's really how the story goes either though and if I'm wrong, I still don't really see the guys I just mentioned being led by him either... especially Tony Stark's character as is portrayed by RDJ.

seems like they're going to have to mess with comic cannon pretty good to pull this off... which would be fine with me. i just think comic geeks will be furious (or as furious as they can be while still standing in line opening day).

They are ABSOLUTELY going to mess with the canon a lot. It's not like it's unprecedented (Cyclops, anyone?).

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Fury brings them together but Cap is still the field leader...

 

[Chaplin]

Fury brings them together but Cap is still the field leader...

IN THE COMICS.

Don't you think it's pretty clear that they will deviate from the comics for the Avengers movie? They did it for X-Men, why not The Avengers? This is the danger you get into when trying to look at a multiple hero movie with already established individuals.

And really, there is nobody out there that could portray the kind of authority needed to lead RDJ, Ed Norton and Samuel L. Jackson.

Then again, remember, RDJ WAS led by Ben freaking Stiller of all people at one time.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

Terrible casting. I expect this to bomb.