Comments on: Nick Cassavetes to Direct Captain America?

By: Rian

Rian — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:06:22 +0000

If I’m remembering it correctly, Rogers had asthma and couldn’t fight in the war, which is why he signed up for the super soldier program. Not just because he was a little wuss or something.

By: Henrik

Henrik — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:30:41 +0000

Leave it to Americans to deliver the message that weakling young guys are unable to help their country.

By: Rian

Rian — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 07:05:42 +0000

Steve Rogers was a weakling young guy who joined the super soldier program to try and help his country. After he was injected with the experimental super soldier serum he became super strong and more agile, as well as more of a physically perfect human specimen. Not long after Cap was injected, a Nazi spy broke into the lab and murdered the scientist who created the serum, as well as the remaining samples, hence no further super soldiers could be produced, leaving Cap the only living specimen of the experiment.

On the subject of who should be under the suit, I’m not at all against putting a stuntman in scenes that don’t focus on the face and require some leaping and bounding, but as far as playing the role of Rogers I feel that a real actor should fill those shoes.

By: Henrik

Henrik — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:04:49 +0000

Well it’s not like with Spider-Man where you make it CGI when he’s in costume. He is just athletic – I’m sure it’s enhanced but surely less than say, Daredevil – so you kind of need somebody who can do that stuff.

Is his origin story really that he was created in a lab for the government? I don’t know it. That could be cool, they could cast Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn as the people who design the ridiculous outfit and get some quality comedy out of the inherent ridiculousness.

By: Rian

Rian — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:25:12 +0000

Henrik – The beauty of Captain America and his silly costume is that if the U.S. government could have actually made a super soldier during World War II real life, he’d probably look just like he does in the comics. That’s exactly the kind of over-the-top propaganda that Uncle Sam would have slung at us if given the chance. The simple fact that nowadays his look and name seem stupid is exactly why I think that the man out of time story would work best.

As for Ray Park, sure he can jump around with the best of them, but can the guy act? As I mentioned in my last comment I believe that comic book/superhero movies in general, but particularly Captain America, should be just as much about drama as they are about action. My feeling is that the immediate assumption that a stuntman would be the best fit for the role is the wrong way to approach the film.

By: Roy

Roy — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:13:16 +0000

i can see this, rumors abot a captain america movie have been going around for months. but this is good news and at least its moving ahead.

By: Henrik

Henrik — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:51:40 +0000

I liked Captain America in Secret Wars, but I have a hard time accepting the ridiculous name and outfit. ‘Captain America’ is just such a wacky concept, I can’t imagine it ever working outside of childrens funny books.

I would like to see somebody like Ray Park in the role though… He has a shield which is boring, but I think it’s cool when he’s jumping around with the agility of that cats of scornheim.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:18:06 +0000

Fraser was also in Blast From the Past which is a comedic take on the thematic issues that Rian is talking about. This could be a really good movie. I’m just glad it’s not John directing it RIP otherwise he’d be a married guy at his wit’s end dealing with is mentally ill wife in between throwing his shield at some thugs in the neighborhood.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:41:13 +0000

I have to once again say it would be cool to have the entire movie based on the golden age comic, but I know that’s obviously not feasible so at the very least it would be cool if they had WWII flashbacks interspersed throughout.

As long as they don’t get too carried away with pop culture jokes and the fact that he doesn’t know how to use the internet or something, it has potential. Maybe they should cast Brendan Fraser since he was so good in Encino Man.

By: Rian

Rian — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:14:31 +0000

If Ed Brubaker’s recent run on Captain America has proven anything, it is that the character is not just American propaganda. In my opinion, Captain America could be a huge film franchise. All Marvel needs to do is make sure that the films are as much about drama as they are about action. Many people don’t seem to think that comic book and/or superhero movies should be anything more than action jaunts, but the story of Steve Rogers could really pack a sentimental punch if done right. Start the film out with a WWII flashback just like Mark Millar did in the comics with Ultimates #1 and then move to present day to focus on the “man out of time” aspect of the story. Think Forever Young with super strength and you’re on the right path. Sure, Cap should kick a few asses, but what really makes the character interesting (to me, at least) is the fact that when Cap was frozen he was America’s darling and nowadays patriotism is less rampant than it was during the early forties, so he would almost come off as a joke in the modern world. I mean, what’s a guy named Captain America do without a Hitler to punch and a war to win? The film should focus on a man shot down in his prime who is trying to pick up the pieces of his life in a strange new world where he doesn’t quite fit, but his love for his country and it’s people inevitably keeps him going. Spiderman has Mary Jane, Superman has Lois Lane, and Captain American has the United States. It sounds corny, but it would make a damn fine movie.

As far as overseas popularity is concerned, I think that as long as the film is good people will accept it. Other countries may not feel the same way about America that Americans do, but if done properly I think the movie could translate it’s core motive and beliefs to any nation. It’s not necessarily about America (despite it being part of the character’s name), it’s about patriotism and allegiance in general. I’m really looking forward to this movie.

By: mike

mike — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:31:30 +0000

It could be interesting, I can’t imagine this actually being done without some sort of political bias, either side of the spectrum. I can’t imagine I’d like it either, but I also said that when I heard about Ironman, and now I’m slightly excited. We’ll see how this unfolds. Color me interested.