Red Skull confirmed as the Captain America villain
The director went on to talk about the project and why they've chosen to set a majority of the film during WWII. "Virtually the entire story except the bookends are in World War II because we all recognize we have one chance to tell the origin story of how he became Captain America, you can't tell a modern story and then go back and tell the origin story. If you're going to do it, let's do it. Let's do it first. Everyone wanted to tell an origin story. There was a version where it was a modern story and it didn't work."
The Los Angeles Times also had an opportunity to speak with Johnston about the upcoming film and the director spoke in detail about the character's look and uniform. "The costume is a flag, but the way we're getting around that is we have Steve Rogers forced into the USO circuit," Johnston said. "After he's made into this super-soldier, they decide they can't send him into combat and risk him getting killed. He's the only one and they can't make more. So they say, 'You're going to be in this USO show' and they give him a flag suit. He can't wait to get out of it."
"When he does go AWOL, he covers up the suit but then, after a few things happen, he realizes that this uniform allows him to lead. By then, he's become a star in the public mind and a symbol. The guys get behind him because he embodies something special," continued Johnston. "In the first USO sequences, the frustrated patriot will be wearing a version that is closer to the classic Jack Kirby-designed costume, but then later as the super-soldier hits the war zone he will be wearing a sturdier, more muted version that he makes himself that is more like battle togs. The stripes across his mid-section, for instance, will be straps, not colored fabric," the director revealed.
We will have more details about the film and casting, which Johnston says he hopes to have locked by the end of the month, as they occur and The First Avenger: Captain America is scheduled for release on July 22nd, 2011.
Captain America: The First Avenger was released July 22nd, 2011 and stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Cooper, Richard Armitage, Stanley Tucci. The film is directed by Joe Johnston.
Comments (47)
To leave a comment, please sign in or use
Facebook or Twitter
CBF
Oh wow I never saw this article. Red Skull, yeah - perfect! This should be a really enjoyable movie, can't wait! And the ending is gonna be exciting, however it will set up for Avengers.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Nice post Barkx. I think we mostly knew that, and all agree, but glad to see you are a dedicated fan. Like I said I agree.
Loving Johnson's interest in the character. He sounds like Favreau for Iron Man when he first went at it. Overall, as said on other threads, THIS MOVIE is my most anticipated flick coming from Marvel. Can not wait for it. Now please cast Captain America correctly and we can be off on Production.
As for Red Skull, I seriously say go with Ralph Fiennes. However on an off idea, I thought of Mel Gibson from "The Man with No Face" being he can pull of rage and anger as well a twisted humor at times or at least through the audiences view. Off chance and I'm just thinking out loud here.
P.S. DC, take notes from Marvel (meaning Marvel Entertainment not Fox or Sony or other Marvel projects).
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Barkx
All of this is sounding more and more promising! I am getting more and more excited about this!! Marvel's current plans for their company-owned films (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America & The Avengers) is impressive, and they seem to have a solid handle on things. It is a fine balance in bringing something to the screen that is both public-friendly, yet loyal to the source material so that all the true, long-time fans are also kept happy.
Case in point - Daredevil and Ang Lee's Hulk. As a long time Marvel fan, and avid reader & collector of the Daredevil comics (and casual reader of the Hulk comics), I thought these movies were pretty faithful to the origins of the characters, and captured the darker, grittier tone of the comics. Daredevil was always meant to be "darker" than Spider-Man. So as a fan, personally, i loved the film, but, much like Ang Lee's Hulk, concede that to the average movie-goer with no prior knowledge of the characters, the films may not have been as well received.
So, LOYAL-FAN = PLEASED! vs. AVERAGE MOVIE GOER = MEH...!
The flip-side of this are Spider-Man 3 and X-Men 3: The Last Stand. I think these films were "pushed" out far too quickly by the producers, eager to cash-in on the hype & loyal fan bases that had been growing with the two previous films. Spider-Man 2 and X-Men 2 were easily the best films of the series! Sam Raimi himself said that it was not his decision to include Venom in the storyline for Spider-Man 3, so, personally, I do not blame him for this films "critical" failure (yes, financially it still made coin, but I think this movie is evidence that the fans can be heard!)
So, LOYAL-FAN = NO NO NO! vs. AVERAGE MOVIE GOER = HAPPY TO SPEND COIN! (Thus making said films "financially" a success)
Now, for the movies that have gotten the balance spot-on (and I am hoping that my opinion is fairly universally agreed upon by both the LOYAL-FANS & THE AVERAGE MOVIE GOER!) Iron Man and Batman Begins/The Dark Knight. These films were both loyal to the origins of the characters (yes, they were updated & made contemporary), maintained the core themes, but was still "public-friendly." Iron Man proof of this more so than the Batman films, if for no other reason than Batman had already been a well established movie franchise, whereas Iron Man was relatively unheard of to those who did not read comics.
So LOYAL-FANS = YES YES YES! vs. AVERAGE MOVIE GOER = WHAT IS THIS?! I LIKE!!!
"So what is the point of this post, Barkx?!" I hear you cry (and thank you for continuing to read my rant!) Marvel have a firm vision on what they want to accomplish with their Marvel-owned characters, whereas as character's that are owned by other film companies seem to be out of touch with both the LOYAL-FAN and the AVERAGE MOVIE GOER and struggling to get these films up and running. So, please, please, please... Marvel, get back the rights to ALL of your beloved characters! I am sure it will not be cheap to get the film rights back, but I think whatever it costs, you will surely reap the benefits, make a profit (which, unfortunately, is important) and keep both LOYAL-FANS & THE AVERAGE MOVIE GOER very very pleased!
That is my humble opinion, and I'm sticking to it... Thank you for reading : )
2 years agoby @barkxFlag
ParkWilliams
Here's a crazy idea, Lance Reddick from Fringe.
2 years agoby @azadorFlag
Remy72883
i got to say im really excited about this and not to pick a fight i don't really know about Chris Waltz or Ralph Fiennes or even Gaspard Ulliel to play red skull personally i think they are great and in some cases sadley unreconized talents but i would really like to see Willem Dafoe take this role if it were possible just something about his dark gritty way on feel on how he can come off the good guy but then someone who is gonna gut you and have some fun with it in a dark sinister kinda way
2 years agoby @remy72883Flag
ejk1
Of course it was going to be Red Skull. Does anyone even know another Captain America villain?
2 years agoby @ejk1Flag
ZanyZap
Oh, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification.
2 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
ParkWilliams
In the bio I read, (mind you this was second hand and I haven't read much Capt. America) he wears a mask that looks like a red skull.
2 years agoby @azadorFlag
ZanyZap
Interesting question, Mr. Lycan. How will they transition the comic book nemesis from paper to screen? I realize his name 'Red Skull' defines his appearance, but it's very rare to finds a dude with a red skull and intent to kill Captain America shopping in aisle 5 at the supermarket. They are taking a realist approach. What, comic book nerds and buffs, does this mean?
Or is his face just f*cked up by the war?
2 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
Lycan
Do you think they will f*ck up his look
2 years agoby @grand-makwaFlag
darkdream
mickey rourke=redskull lol lol
2 years agoby @darkdreamFlag
Josh
@comrade: Yeah, I know Red Skull is German, but I just think Hounsou would be able to pull the accent off. And I agree 100% that he would be great as Black Panther and have been saying that for a couple years now. But the last I heard was that they were planning to give the role to Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje from LOST & GI Joe.
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
Raoul Duke
George Jones = Red Skull.
All of this sounds great.
2 years agoby @raoulduke33Flag
Diaigma
Red Skull. Who ELSE would they pick? I mean, common! :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Rufio
awesome.
2 years agoby @rufioFlag
ed_wood
Very cool news.
2 years agoby @ed-woodFlag
-comrade-
@Josh, he's a great villain, but his voice isn't right. Think of Hitler's german orator voice. Or Colonel Klink :P
Plus, how's he gonna play Red Skull and Black Panther *fingers crossed*
2 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
Radimus-83
this is getting exciting.
2 years agoby @radimus-83Flag
Illuminati
overall i like the sound of this.
the caliber of Ralph finnes would be smart for Skull.
sounds like they are trying to get away from the pinup flag suit, THANK GOD!
2 years agoby @illuminatiFlag
Josh
How about Djimon Hounsou?
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
ZanyZap
Great choices, Comrade. I have no previous knowledge of the character - other than a quick google search - but Crispin Glover also makes for a good baddie.
2 years agoby @zanyzapFlag
-comrade-
Or Ralph Fiennes, or Chris Waltz. All incredibly good bad guys.
2 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
-comrade-
Gaspard Ulliel would be an excellent Red Skull.
2 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
Vleoz
i just saw a original spiderman series cartoon this weekend about captain america and red skull.this will be awesome.
2 years agoby @vleozFlag
RingWraither
sounds good
2 years agoby @ringwraitherFlag
Pencilneck
sweet
2 years agoby @pencilneckFlag
Buriblazing
go marvel
2 years agoby @buriblazingFlag
Charles DeMar
I just got goose bumps from reading this. This is one movie that I really hope doesn't get screwed up and so far it seems to be on the right track. I just wish Marvel would have taken control of their movies earlier on.
2 years agoby @nemesissisFlag
Buriblazing
cool
2 years agoby @buriblazingFlag
Emmytt
f*cking sweet cant wait
2 years agoby @emmyttFlag