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UPDATE: I’ve learned that Marvel Studios and director Joe Johnston are testing candidates for The First Avenger: Captain America which Paramount will distribute on July 22, 2011. I’ve scooped their wish list: most but by no means all of the contenders are young hunks who come from both movies and television — Chace Crawford (CW’s Gossip Girl), John Krasinski (NBC’s The Office), Scott Porter (NBC’s Friday Night Lights), Mike Vogel (Cloverfield), Michael Cassidy (CW’s Privileged), Patrick Flueger (Brothers). They also wanted Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy), but he so far hasn’t made a test deal. The studio yesterday tested several candidates from this list. It’s not surprising that the roster contains so many little known actors: Marvel after all cast a complete unknown as Thor, Chris Hemsworth. The role is enticing, but Marvel is known for driving hard bargains on its superhero deals. There’s a salary scale, but if you’re not a known quantity like Crawford or Krasinski, the offer is around $300,000 for the first film. And whoever gets the role will have to sign for another nine options for future films that include sequels, Avengers movies, or anything else Marvel decides. In fact, I’m told reliably that Captain America director Johnston recently reached an impasse with Marvel and briefly walked off the film when Marvel informed him the budget was too high and he’d have to take a pay cut. 
They found common ground and he returned to the fold, but it reinforces Marvel’s reputation for hard bargaining, something that all the Iron Man 2 participants discovered. For those not in the know, Captain America is Steve Rogers, a military service washout who volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into the superhero dedicated to defending America’s ideals. The sickly young man is enhanced to the peak of human potential by an experimental serum: he’s known for using his signature vibranium-steel allow shield as a multipurpose weapon.
EXCLUSIVE: Who Will Be Captain America?
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Captain America is blond.
And when you say Marvel is cheap, don’t you now mean…Disney?
I have no faith in Johnson after seeing THE WOLFMAN. You can’t blame a last minute start on such inept direction. How could a director screw up that foolproof haunted love story AND make a horror film (with the exceptional talents of Rick Baker and Dave Esley) that shows such little suspense and absolutely no sense of human character? Johnson is all surface detail and can’t seem to direct actors nor give them the proper motivation to their characters. A story and character adaptation from comic books like CAPTAIN AMERICA requires an exceptionally fine grasp of nuance and subtlety to overcome the broad strokes employed in comics while also supplying a measured rhythm to the escalating action and mayhem elements of the superhero/WWII genre.
I predict another mess of a film with scenes that too much reflect the two dimensional comic book page (as in slavish artifice) and not the thrilling spirit of a comic book story and its characters as elevated into a faithful but humanly-enlarged upon and entertaining movie form.
Couldn’t agree more… Those scenes Romanek didn’t want to cut are probably all character scenes too. Marvel/Disney need to keep these films in the hands of intelligent fans like John Favreau. It’s a shame to punish the fans with Joe Johnston.
Sony’s made a smart choice with Webb for a new Spiderman.
And, someone seriously needs to give Joss Whedon a franchise to work on… Drew Goddard and Matt Reeves worked out like Gangbusters for Cloverfield… And it’s that kind of vision that’s needed for Captain America, or Superman.
No one would represent the masculine and muscular qualities of Captain America than Liam Neeson … or possibly Queen Latifah.
thank you for making me stain myself (LOL)
The deals are much harsher than the average summer movie maybe but the long term career benefits and exposure from a successful Marvel movie is pretty much priceless! Plus I would imagine the payouts for the sequels would be much much bigger.
As for the choices none of the guys seem that exciting and I say that even as a Krasinki fan… Chris Hemsworth seemed a lot more on the money. Shame they ruled out Ryan McPartlin from Chuck he had the perfect look.
Joe Johnston walking off set – I would have thought after the headaches on Wolfman Cap would have been a walk in the park!!
i’m surprised Ryan McPartlin isn’t up in the running. he IS Captain Awesome, uh, America!
I like John Krasinski, but he’s certainly not the Captain America superhero type. Krasinski’s more suited for Tom Hanks/Jimmy Stewart type roles if he’s that interested in going mainstream.
The only real contender on this list to me is Scott Porter. I love Patrick Flueger — he’s definitely got the acting chops — but don’t really see him in the part. Garrett Hedlund is OK, but don’t really like him for the part at all. And John Krasinski — just no.
If you’re going to go CW, go with Jensen Ackles — he’s got the acting ability, the intensity and the looks. There was also talk of considering Mark Valley for the role at one time, but it looks like they are going younger with the role (maybe too young by the looks of this list).
I’ve been waiting to hear about this casting. I really hope they don’t screw it up.
Not sure about this list. I like Krasinski but not as Cap. Chace Crawford? Captain America is blond! I like the idea of going with a talented unknown but I was hoping it would be someone like Teddy Sears or Trevor Donovan.
I can totally see Trevor Donovan as Captain America. He’s a fresh face and fits the physical description I would imagine to a T
Oh, and I have to disagree with the idea that people don’t care who is cast in a role. They do care — they care a lot — and if the person is “not right”, then it hurts the whole production (when it is the lead) or is definitely noticed (when it is a supporting character).
The examples listed above — Michael Keaton, brought something completely new to the role of Batman and it was noticed; Ben Affleck unfortunately did not do that for Daredevil (sorry, Ben). It may not “make or break” the whole movie, but it can certainly cause some damage.
My top picks are still Scott Porter, Jensen Ackles and Patrick Flueger.
My first and only choice is Matt Damon. He’s got the look, the martial arts moves (see any Bourne movie) and he’s got the chin.
Matt Damon would be great!
Too bad Mark Valley is too old. Dude is perfect for it.
I agree, and I don’t think he is too old. Maybe too short. He is 5’11 and cap is 6’2, but they can do something about that. Robert Downey Jr is older that Tony Stark when he first became Iron Man and it didn’t seem to matter. Mark Valley looks like Cap. Every time I see him on Human Target I think, that IS Captain America
Must stunt cast Matt Salinger (yes, son of J.D.) and the original Captain America from the 1990 version somewhere in the re-boot!
Matt Salinger WASN’T the “original” Cap by any definition.Actually, that horrid ’90′s version was the THIRD live action take on the character (after a 1940′s serial and a 1970′s tv version). There’s no reason at all the new film should aknowledge it .
I really like Chace Crawford. Don’t get me wrong, i’d prefer Nathan Fillion, but I think Chace would do a fine job.
Krasinski?!? Baaahahaha, you’ve got to be fuc—wait. Yes. I hope this happens.
I’m shocked at the mid-20s actors considered for this. Cap is a seasoned soldier who is supposed to be wise. That said, I’d think the starting age would be 40, NOT 22. He leads The Avengers!! Like the others would listen to a young’un!
Maybe not 40 as the starting age but definitely someone in their 30′s. Tatum Channing as Captain America however he’s still got the stink from that G.I. Joe debaucle looming. I know he’s not older but he does have the jawline for the part.
Is it too late to scrap Chris Hemsworth as Thor? He is not the image of the Norse God that would come to mind. Maybe a gay Thor?
I would choose Mickey Rourke as Thor. Thor is not a handsome man, he’s a beast. Or even John Cena as Thor. Just don’t give him that many speaking parts and keep him looking like a badass!!! Also James Preston Rogers wouldn’t be bad either. I know he interviewed but I think they should give him a second look.
I always get confused with comments like yours about Hemsworth. “A gay Thor” – does that mean good looking? Handsome? You’re a closet case? It’s just a weird grammatical issue I need help with. Mickey Rourke isn’t gay because you don’t find him attractive? Meanwhile, how does John Cena look any different than a buff gay dude at LA Fitness? Totally weird, but seriously, explain so I’ll know.
ANOTHER HOMOPHOBIC POST
Read Steve’s origin story, dear. He’s twenty-five when the Avengers wake him up. He’s only 40ish in the current Marvel Comics because he’s been out of the ice for fifteen years.
Does it matter? It’s being directed by Joe Johnston – at best it’ll be tolerably mediocre. At worst, it’ll be The Wolfman.
Is that a joke? John Krasinski is a goddamn sad puppy. Cast a real man please.
The guy that needs to be Captain America is right here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMhgVgCpolY
He’s a relative unknown, he’s signed on to two movies, one of which will get him more exposure before Cap comes out, and he actually fits the role – tall, blond, blue eyes and the right physique. Oh yeah, and he can act.
um…. NO
Note to producers: use the Marvel cartoon music in the movie prominently.
When captain America throws his mighty shield….
Terrible list. None of those actors are men.
A better list: Goslin, Lucas, Renner, Tom Hardy.
Does CaptA have to be a yank?
Could we please remember Joe Simon? Thank you.
What about John Cena? i mean i know he’s not a great actor but as far as looks go he could pull it off…i’d be nice to have a younger dennis quaid or mark wahlberg though
maybe Mark Valley…but how tall is he?
Is this serious? Cena? This is a joke right?
It should be Alexander Skarsgard. Good actor, good looking man and charismatic. If they can test Chace Crawford for freaking Captain America they sure can give the big Swede a chance.
The actor they cast to play Captain America needs to be able to stand side by side with Robert Downey Jr. in the Avengers cast and still be taken seriously. I don’t see anyone on the list that could really work. I’m really disappointed they’re going so young. If they were casting a little older, I’d say Mark Valley for sure.
Get Jensen Ackles as Cap and Jared Padalecki as Red Skull… and the whole movie is them driving around Germany in a jeep arguing and eating cheeseburgers.
Seriously this list of actors made me laugh.. I like Krasinski but he is NOT the right choice for this role., nor other actors!!! We are talking about Captain America here!!! Not Juno or Who Gives a Crap About the Morgans! I think this film needs to rely on some heavy acting. I don’t see any of these guys can nail the role. Jensen Ackles is the man for Captain America!!! If the actor is not right, the film is gonna flop!
Ahh, I remember reading Sam Hamm’s brilliant script for ‘Batman’ about two weeks before news broke that Tim Burton had cast Michael Keaton to play the character. I almost threw up in my mouth.
For months, I tried to tell myself “No, it will be okay. The script is soooo good. There’s no way Tim Burton could screw it up that much. I mean, Pee Wee’ Big Adventure wasn’t as funny as it should have been, and Beetlejuice was a structural mess, but this is Batman.” Until Star Wars came out, every boy wanted to be either Batman or Spider-Man. These were the two most popular “cool” superheroes. Superman is well-respected, but a boring personality, a “nice guy”.
Then the day came for the midnight opening in NYC. What a letdown. Even though the Anton Furst pre-suicide sets were beautiful, even though the Streets-Of-Fire-ripoff-what-year-is-it timeline worked out, you could not get past the obvious: Jack Nicholson was the only reason to see that film, and he’s not the main character. Sure, the villain has to be great, but the hero is the one you root for.
Michael Keaton was woefully miscast. Kim Basinger was weak. Tim Burton butchered a great script, the shot selection and framing were like watching the making of a film, or a commercial, rather than the film itself.
Watch that movie again. It’s extremely boring. There is almost no action. Batman’s head looks like a giant tulip bulb. But Jack clowns for the camera and everyone suddenly loves it.
That movie made so much money and validated Tim Burton’s woeful inexperience and hatred for archetypal heroes, as the work of a genius. Barf. Tim redeemed himself with his Depp films (Edward S. and Ed W.) but nothing made up for the fact that the hero was miscast and the director didn’t know what he was doing.
Everyone criticizes Joel Schumacher for ruining Batman. I have been a critic of Shoo-ma-shay since I was 15, and am the first to call him ‘hack’, but I thought his Batman films were at least fun and aware their own cartoonish silliness. Not so Burton’s version. Also, Kilmer and Clooney (and not the good Clooney, rather the head-bobbing mail-it-in Clooney) were far superior as Batman than Michael “Mr. Mom” Keaton. But those four movies all stink. I don’t pay ten bucks to see a “Joker” movie. I pay to see Batman.
Point being … if they miscast Steve/Cap … the movie is ruined. As a superhero fan, I don’t care how much money a movie makes. I want it to be good. This will be the third attempt at making a Captain America feature. The last one was a straight-to-video nightmare. I’d rather watch re-runs of the Reb Brown motorcycle helmet, love handles Cap, than see some pretty-boy tweener meat play Captain America.
Could we go back in time and get a young Peter Graves? He’d have been perfect.
I’m sorry but anyone who comes to bat for Shumacher over Burton needs to have their head examined.
What a retarded post. The Sam Hamm script was nothing short of awful. It had the same jokey tone as Superman: the Movie. Burton directed the hell out of that first Batman film. Easily one of the most iconic films made in the past 20 years. Keaton is probably still the best Batman too.