Perspective: The Importance of The Captain America Cast

Perspective: The Importance of The Captain America Cast

Now I know I'm not the only one who is tired of rumours regarding the Captain America movie, also known as "The First Avenger: Captain America". So I just want to stress out that this article has nothing to do with the infamous "wish list" or the news about Joe Johnston's departures from the set of the movie. This article is about putting some much needed perspective into the hopefully upcoming cast of the star spangled avenger. Now I don't expect to win any people over with this, but simply create a little perspective and uncover just how important the casting of Cap truely is.

Editorial Opinion
By LuckyKyd - Feb 27, 2010 12:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Captain America

First of all I'm gonna come right out and say it: There is no chance in the world that every fanboy or girl will be pleased with who ever they cast. Sorry but that is a fact, directors and actors know this. So they are prepared if some of you are gonna rant when the official castings are revealed. Now with that out of the way:

The importance of the Captain America role is not just onesighted, this is the casting that is gonna echo long into the future. If it fails it doesn't only affect the Captain America movie it will also affect the Avengers movie and possible sequels to both of them. This is in many ways Marvels investment in the future. If they hit the head on the nail with these three movies before the Avengers, then they are almost free to do as they like. Think animations, think low budget movies with lesser known Marvel proporties.


So with that cleared out I don't think they are gonna cast someone who will make us all jump out of our seats and join a riot against there studio. Marvel won't allow Joe Johnston or anybody else to cast a total douch(now I'm not pointing any fingers here, but you know where I'm swinging at). I just don't buy it. They know just as well as we do that Captain America is beyond repair if they bug this up. They buged it up the first time, but luckily those where very different times, comic book movie-wise. This time around they can't affort to miss!

Furthermore the actor who is cast has to stand besides Robert Downey Jr, Edward Norton, Samuel Jackson and perhaps even Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson. Plus with recent reports from Chris Hemsworth colleagues on the Thor set it sounds like he is going to make a great Thor, which I don't doubt he will(the pictures of him and his brother in a real life brawl won me over). The actor has to hold his own with these A-class actors and say iconic lines like: "Avengers Assemble".
What I'm getting at with this is that I don't think they are gonna cast a completely unknown. I know thats what they announced in the early stages of pre-production, but I don't buy that. They must be weighing in other roles that the actor had to do, especially dramatic ones and action oriented roles. The guy they pick must have some experience and not be a total newcomer to drama or action, which should be equally represented in the movie by Cap.

I do realize that a lot of you, my dear members, have discussed this to the point of turning blue in the face and popping your bloodshot eyes out of their socles. But right now answers are few and questions are a vast and growing substance. I hope that the casting will soon be injected and abolish this substance, because it is getting more and more sticky for each day that goes by without any concrete news.
This article was only meant to hopefully cast a little light on what for me seems to be a more sane and rational way of going about the Captain America casting. I know a lot of you won't agree. And I know that throwing rocks at Marvel and the team assigned to bringing Cap onto the silver screen seems like the only logical solution sometimes. But I for one don't think Marvel is sitting with their heads up their... well you know.

I hope you enjoyed reading this and hopefully it gave you some perspective, and if not maybe a clearer view on the overall importance of this hopefully soon to be revealed casting. So till next time: KEEP ON TRUCKING!
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LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 2/27/2010, 12:25 PM
Thanks Tea, and I didn't say Hemsworth is A-class, I just said this is the kind of A-class rage i want to see Thor exhibit:

ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 2/27/2010, 1:03 PM
LuckyKid90 - as long as we don't see that guys ass crack in Thor it should be ok!

I just wish the role will be cast already! I'm sure my initial reaction to the casting will be negative but I must have faith in Marvel, they've not done much wrong so far! Still, I'm bracing myself for this news more than I did for that night with teabag!
Scholes60
Scholes60 - 2/27/2010, 10:00 PM
Good article.

Although I was initially surprised by Hemsworth's selection I now feel he will make a good Thor.

I'm an Australia science fiction writer, if you get a chance check out some of my fan fic:

http://www.fanfiction.net/u/1276881/David_Scholes

or even my science fiction:

www.StrategicBookPublishing.com/ScienceFictionandAlternateHistory.html

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Reading-Science-Fiction-Scholes/dp/1449581889/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1261366245&sr=1-1

Cheers
wussupman
wussupman - 2/27/2010, 10:39 PM
Cool article Lucky . I hope that whomever they choose has the fortitude to handle all the criticism thats gonna acompany the role and uses it as motivation to their advantage . As for Joe Johnston , I hope he doesn't allow Cap to get bitten by the beast cause that would suck .
contrast
contrast - 2/28/2010, 12:21 AM
Great article...it seems like if you said this to anyone working for Marvel, you'd almost be required by law to finish it off by saying "no pressure or anything..."
Aztlan
Aztlan - 2/28/2010, 4:24 AM
@ Anil Rickly: the cast is between 23 to 32 years actors, so forget about Leo (35) and Matt Damon (39).
Ryan McPartlin is 33, so forget too.

About the one from the list:
24: Chace Crawford
25: Wilson Bethel and Garrett Hedlund
26: Patrick Flueger and Michael Cassidy
31: John Krasinski, Scott Porter and Mike Vogel
32: Jensen Ackles

About who of these above know how to fight:
- Jensen Ackles learned to fight in the Dark Angel/Smallville/Supernatural series.
- Mike Vogel was on a Freshman wrestling team in high school.
- Scott Porter is a football player in Friday Night Lights, and is a big comics geek. You can see some interviews he has done for the Wizard World Philly 2008.
- John Krasinski played a Corporal in Jarhead.
- Garrett Hedlund has some sword skills he learned in Troy and Eragon. He had some fight in Four Brothers.
- Wilson Bethel play a Corporal in Generation Kill.
LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 2/28/2010, 1:23 PM
@Ron: I agree no buttcracks for Thor unless it is during a Jaime Alexander strip sequence... ;)

Thanks everyone appreciate it
48and2
48and2 - 3/1/2010, 12:18 AM
Well written and well thought out article Lucky - we are on the eve I guess. I sure do HOPE you are right.

The only thing I disagree with what you said a bit, is that Marvel basically can't screw it up. Anyone who reads my posts knows I'm usually pretty optomistic, and I am TRYING as hard as I can to continue that with this topic. Remember though it is not Marvel anymore - it is now DISNEY/Marvel.

The Avengers live action cbm formula is like baking a souflee, and it is within my opinion that there is great room for error - now more than ever. I think that's why we've heard so much apprehension and hesitation from people like Favreau about the possibility of directing it.

Not including The Avenger's itself, they have around $600 million invested, and now would be exactly the time for Disney to cheap out.

Anyway, here's to hoping we wake up to find: "Chris Pine CAST for CAPTAIN AMERICA!"

and here's to hoping it works out if one of these other cheeseballs gets it anyway.
LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 3/1/2010, 3:43 AM
@48and2: Thanks bud, I don't really see Pine in the role, but I wish they would just get on with it and cast Cap damnit!

@gtrman: When Chris is at his A-game it isn't a sport - It's Domination! lol ;D

LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 3/1/2010, 4:02 AM
Yay I made main!!! [frick]ing awesome stuff....

Now I'm just gonna sit quietly and wait for them to cast Cap.
mmmmaaaaggggiiiieeee
mmmmaaaaggggiiiieeee - 3/1/2010, 4:32 AM
I say Jensen Or Chris Pine :) Leo would be aweomse. couldnt really picture him as a superhreoe though.
But im going with Jensen and Chris.Theyre typical comedic americans :) & theyre hot :)
moneybanks
moneybanks - 3/1/2010, 4:53 AM
Maggie swenson for CAP!! (The chick above me lol)
Shaman
Shaman - 3/1/2010, 5:57 AM
LuckyKid90- ASTONISHING article, my friend!!! ;))

JENSEN ACKLES/CAPTAIN AMERICA wants YOU!!!
















The CW heads won't facilitate Ackles to film Captain America, SO I'M [frick]ING BOYCOTTING SUPERNATURAL SEASON 6!!!! YOU HEAR ME CW!!!!! I'M KEEPING MY [frick]ING MONEY!!!!!!!!

BOYCOTT SUPERNATURAL SEASON 6!!!

BOYCOTT SUPERNATURAL SEASON 6!!!

BOYCOTT SUPERNATURAL SEASON 6!!!

Maggie Swenson- Those are the best two choices so far IMO!!!
Shaman
Shaman - 3/1/2010, 8:13 AM
WingPow
WingPow - 3/1/2010, 8:45 AM
Great article. Been preaching the above points you metioned for weeks...

You all better believe Marvel knows what they're doing... I wouldn't be surprised if they announced someone totally out of left field from the wish list we were provided.

Lastly, following up on the article, it isn't only about how Marvel "can't screw this up." Cap' is a comic book character with an extreme amout of depth with who he is as a character. Whoever plays him has to be convinvable. Outside of the physical transformation, ther eis a change of character. Steve Rogers goes from the skinny wimpy kid screaming at the back of the line "I can do it!! Put me in!" To finally being given that chance and proving to everyone just how true of heart he really is..

He needs to go from the little engine that could to King Leonidas on WW2 battle field. Then you add that to the fact that you have to buy him barking orders to the likes of RD Jr., well...that takes acting chops.
SentinelofLiberty
SentinelofLiberty - 3/1/2010, 10:21 AM
Great article. I'm an unabashed Mark Valley supporter, but I know he's probably too old.

Matt Damon is my second choice. He has the acting chops to "lead" the other Avengers. He has shown the physical skill in the Bourne series. And as far as transforming his physique...remember when he lost all that weight to play the dying soldier in that Denzel Washington/Meg Ryan Gulf War movie? I know he is older, but he can pull off much younger, IMHO...
evil1rox
evil1rox - 3/1/2010, 10:39 AM
Ben Affleck for Cap.. WOOOO.. (that was a joke I repeat..THAT WAS A JOKE)

E
godproject
godproject - 3/1/2010, 11:36 AM
Well, it wasn't funny..not funny at all....besides...there's no one who could fill daredevil's boots if he gets the cap role....man...why didn't they cast Matt Damon as Cap, Jason Mewes as Deadpool, and hell, Kevin Smith as Scarlet Witch while we're dreaming...um...having a nightmare.
WingPow
WingPow - 3/1/2010, 12:08 PM
The more I think about it, the more I like Garret Hedlund.

Though still unknown, he's more than proven himself (Troy, 4 Brothers etc.). He's a good height at 6'0" and he looks the part. He even sounds good when he speaks...

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lLsdaCVk3Kk/So3MOFAteuI/AAAAAAABLS0/ei8fRR1x4OU/s400/garretthedlund28.jpg


He's the featured player in Tron:Legacy...so Hollywood believes in him... PLUS he stood along guys like Wahlberg and Pitt and did just fine.
LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 3/1/2010, 4:31 PM
@Shaman: Thanks dude, and Ackles for Cap!!!

I'm totally with you on boycotting Supernatural Season Six(three S's thats just too much lolz :P )
Seriously though, Kripke has said he is not gonna have anything to do with it and the story he planed is ending effectively with this Season. So we really don't need a 6th. It is only gonna happen because the money hungry CW saw the potential after the second season and then got Ackles and Padelecki on for 6 seasons.

Well as much as I want to see Supernatural to the end of my days. I think it would be nice to round it off with the original five seasons Kripke originally pictured... So BOYCOTT ALl THE WAY!!!!!!!!!
LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 3/1/2010, 4:38 PM
@WingPow: Many thanks bud. I originally wanted to include the factor that you adress there. But I went the short route, to not make a too confusing mess. I realize that I tend to write very long and dragging sentences at times. I'll have to make up for it with jokes:

How come Tom Kalmaku wasn't choosen by Abin Sur's power ring as the successor of GL sector 2814?
.....
Because of the muthafugging yellow impurity!


Get it? Ha? Get it? Oh screw this! I'll just try to sit quietly and wait till they cast Cap...
48and2
48and2 - 3/1/2010, 6:21 PM
Lucky - I really think you hit it home in this statement, and I don't think some people realize how important it is (I know alot do get it, but some definitely don't):

"Furthermore the actor who is cast has to stand besides Robert Downey Jr, Edward Norton, Samuel Jackson and perhaps even Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson. Plus with recent reports from Chris Hemsworth colleagues on the Thor set it sounds like he is going to make a great Thor, which I don't doubt he will(the pictures of him and his brother in a real life brawl won me over)."


1. With Chris Pine, I would imagine, there would be some natural chemistry and comradery with Hemsworth considering he played his dad (although they probably didn't film at the same time) - in one of the most iconic roles ever. And this would probably lead to the rest of the cast getting a hell of a kick out of the whole thing, leading to better moral on the set.

2. From the very few roles I've seen him in (including Trek), I've seen that he has much more range than most actors as young as he is. In Trek, he has one of the finest character arcs from any of last years movies, imo - in fact, he lived up to a 40+ year awaited Kirk origin.

3. He can lead.

4. He's the only A lister that fits the current criteria, and is young enough for a very drawn out franchise.

5. He has the appearance - he's also a little rough around the edges.

Otherwise, I'd be on board for Damon, or Dicaprio, just because of that point you made - but we know, they don't even enter into the equation.

They cannot cheap out on this character without taking a hell of a risk.
LuckyKyd
LuckyKyd - 3/2/2010, 6:16 AM
@48and2: Thank you very much :)
I really liked Chris Pine as Cap. Kirk, but I just don't see him as Cap, both appearance and characteristics. I don't really know why, because those arguments of yours does make a good point about him being fit. But I do agree that they will be taking an enormous risk no matter who they cast...

And I just want to apoligize for the joke, I realize now that it is a bit to racist. Sorry! I didn't mean to stomp on Pieface....
Layperson
Layperson - 3/2/2010, 10:17 AM
LuckyKid, you've just confirmed everything I've been saying in these forums for months now. I'm happy to hear that someone else out there can see beyond fanboy rage. I like to think that whomever they cast will do the part justice. I have confidence in the Marvel producers to do the right thing, they have an excellent track record so far, and I don't see them trashing their iconic character with some hack actor.

Johnston's direction still worries me a bit, but I think it'll turn out fine in the end. He has experience with that era and comicbooks, i.e. Rocketeer.

I think we'll be ok in the end. Unfortunatly, expecations are so astronomically high for Cap that it's an almost forgone conclusion that the film will fail to meet everyone's expectations, but let's not let our outlandish ideals of the perfect CBM block what should be a very, very, good movie.

I mean, every time a CBM tried to please everyone it was a whopping diaster. Spiderman 3, X-men 3, Batman forever, Batman and Robin, need I say more?
Layperson
Layperson - 3/2/2010, 4:57 PM
My only beef with Pine as Cap is that I still see him as Kirk. He hasn't had enough roles to broaden him out from that role, but I suppose he can only do that by getting more roles. I don't know, I thought he was great as Kirk, but I just question whether or not he's the right fit for Cap
valeriesghost
valeriesghost - 3/5/2010, 8:57 PM
I still like Matthew McConaughey. But if they need younger I'm for Ackles.
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