John Krasinski on 'Captain America' Short List...What?

Big Picture reader Nick Harper hipped me to this disturbing news at Empire: John Krasinski is not only a candidate to play Captain America, he's made the damn short list. Look, I like Krasinski on The Office, but so far, he's been bad at everything else he's tried. Other than Emily Blunt. That seems to have worked out for him pretty well. In addition to that empirical evidence - he just can't establish himself beyond the friendly confines of Dunder Miflin - John Krasinski is simply wrong for the role. He is, however, the biggest name on the list, not that it means anything. The published short list is below, but I'm not seeing anything close to a Robert Downey, Jr. casting here. These all feel like ideas borne out of a meeting where the phrase "think outside the box" is abused. Plus, given what we've heard about how Marvel is making this movie less about Captain America and more about other tie-ins, this latest news sounds even worse. John Krasinski (The Office)
Michael Cassidy (Smallville)
Patrick Flueger (The 4400)
Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights)
Mike Vogel (Cloverfield)
Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl) Apparently, Garrett Hedlund was in the running, too, late in the game, but both he and Jensen Ackles had scheduling conflicts with this week's screen tests. I like the Hedlund idea most, which means it's the one they're least likely to consider. It's not all down to those screen tests, though, but we're probably very close to learning the identity of Captain America.

Comments

[homeless dad]

if this is honestly the short list, then scott porter looks to be the best option. Krasinski doesn't have the leadership charisma (they even make fun of it in the office) and porter's is obvious from friday night lights. Also the kid's an athlete and can act as well as any of these others.

[El Doucheo Bago]

John Krasinski? Oh my god.....maybe I could see him playing Jughead in an Archie movie, but Captain America? A super soldier? This guy? What?

[Vince]

Chase Crawford is on Gossip Girl so he should already be disqualified (not that it's a bad show- quite the opposite, actually). Mike Vogel from Cloverfield , really? I say no just because he hooked up with my future wife Odette Yustman in that movie.

I could see either Porter or Hedlund in the role actually. Certainly not in a million years do I want Krasinski in the role.

Also, El Doucheo Bago, that Jughead comparison made me laugh hard, but please don't give the studios any ideas.

[Jason]

Well, that is it. Its official:

I AM NO LONGER A CAPTAIN AMERICA FAN!!!

They have freaking ruined my favorite Marvel hero since I was a boy. Does these f*()%ing idiots not know, that after he was thawed out, he became the LEADER of the Avengers?? I don't think ANY of the actors on this list has the ability to show the kind of leadership necessary to get Tony Stark, Thor, Hank Pym and the others to work together, and stand up to Nick Fury when necessary. Especially when they did an absolutely brilliant job of casting with Samuel L. Jackson as Fury and Downey as Stark. (we will see what happens with Thor.)

This really shouldn't be this difficult.........

[matthew carleton]

I gotta say it would be interesting to see Krasinski attempt this role, It may mimic the likes of Clooney's try at batman or ben affleck as Daredevil, but who knows it might work out. It might just be the role he needs to establish himself as a serious actor and not just one of the dunder miflin cronies.

[Asur]

So would it end up something like this? http://hijinksensue.com/2010/02/24/beet-red/

[Schro]

I'm a fan of Krasinski, but I just could not see him pulling off that role. If they're going to pull someone from TV why don't they get Ryan McPartlin aka Captain Fantastic from "Chuck"? At least he's got the look. And face it in this role, looks count.

[fzjcph fzjcph]

I also follow through Google Reader! zcebom zcebom - justin bieber supra.