Chris Evans.
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that Marvel Studios has put out an offer to Evans to play the star-spangled hero in their upcoming comic book adaptation. Expectedly, both the studio and Evan’s reps have declined to comment.
It is speculated that the deal will be similar to the commitment that Samuel Jackson signed to appear as spymaster Nick Fury over nine Marvel films. Beyond the Captain America film set for release in 2011, it is known that the hero would appear in 2012 superhero team-up film The Avengers. That would leave seven other films that Evans could appear in from a Captain America or Avengers sequel to small appearances in another character’s films helping with the cross-pollination of Marvel’s cinematic superhero universe.
But Evans has a lot on his plate right now. He will currently be seen in The Losers next month and Scott Pilgrim Versus the World later this year, both comic book adaptations. The Losers very likely has a sequel clause and Evans has already appeared as a superhero in 20th Century Fox’s two Fantastic Four films. Evans may decide that he doesn’t want his career to become one just of comic book films.
I can’t say that I’m overly enthused with the possibility of Evans’ casting. I am not a fan of the Fantastic Four films and really didn’t like his smirky performance in them. The role of Captain America requires some big time gravitas and will require its actor to share screen time with the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Sam Jackson and almost command attention away from them. Evans hasn’t really demonstrated that ability to me yet. Not helping my feelings of unease is the report that Evans didn’t even screen test for the role. But so far Marvel Studios has pretty much made all the right moves with the superhero films, so I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
Captain America: The First Avenger is set to begin filming this summer for a release in 2011.
