Wednesday
19Nov2008
'Captain America' Updates
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 12:26AM
There are two morsels of
Captain America news, so we'll cover them
both right here. Actually, one's an update and the other is just prospecting,
really, but rather than take up your time with two separate stories, we thought
we'd make it easier on you.
We just found out last week that Joe Johnston will direct Captain America, so Marvel is picking up the pace to get everything ready to roll. Markus and McFeely have been in this situation before, writing the adaptations of the first two Chronicles of Narnia flicks. Additionally, the pair wrote the Emmy-winning The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, and as everyone who saw that TV movie knows, Sellers also fought Nazis with an indestructible shield.
Here's the curious thing about Cap, and I'm not sure how it will work because of Marvel's timing: The character will be introduced, circa World War II, on May 6, 2011. Less than two months later, that character will figure into the modern-day Avengers movie. Am I the only one who thinks that's weird planning? I mean, why even bother with the period piece, then? Maybe I'm making too much of it.
The other Captain America story is the sort of thing we don't like very much, a pitch from an actor to be cast in the role. To be fair, Channing Tatum was prompted by a question from Cinematical about playing the character. But he seems really eager:
"Captain America? Oh my God! Oddly enough, I just got given a book – one of the painters came up and here gave me a book. I would think about it. Maybe it's destiny! I would definitely think about it – I just got done doing GI Joe, though. If Joe does well, and it doesn't seem to be the exact same story, then I would. I don't know. They seem to be very, very similar – almost identical. Except for the – I think he takes a serum? Like a strength serum? [But the WWII setting] could be very very cool."
In the interest of full disclosure, Tatum was among my top picks for the role back in June, so it's not that I think he can't play it or that he shouldn't, I just have an aversion to actors calling their shots, particularly for tentpole movies. It's the "Sure, give me a $200 million blockbuster" approach that gets to me. Again, maybe I'm making too much of it.
Reader Comments (4)
Going back the previous article of "who should play the Captian America role?" There is one name and one actor that seems born for the role.
Alexander Skarsgård
Just watch him in Generation Kill. He played a soldier in that show and proved that he has the ability to convey a leader on film. He won't have to dye his hair blonde, he is 6'4" and only 32 years old. He is perfect for the role, if you can get by the fact that he isn't American.
"can get by the fact that he isn't American"???
This is Captain AMERICA we're talking about.
You don't cast a European or anyone else for that part.
No kidding thats like casting an American to play James Bond or Will Smith as James West or....ummmm. Ok wait a minute, forget i said anything...lol
I know, I know he isn't American. But just watch Generation Kill. He was an AMERICAN Marine in that show, and may win and Emmy for it. If you haven't seen it, then you must.
Also Christian Bale isn't American and I'd say he makes a pretty good Bruce Wayne / Batman.