The Captain America casting is such a back and forth business right now. This is one of the most important characters in the Marvel Universe, and while you can background Thor in The Avengers if Chris Hemsworth can’t stand toe to toe with Robert Downey Jr. But while they are recasting Iron Man as the lead of the team, Captain America must still be up front and important. With that in mind Marvel Studios is apparently taking their time with their Cap casting, and according to the very reliable Mike Fleming at Deadline, that means none of the current guys who have screen tested are getting the job.
Which means no John Krasinski.
But who is in? Now Marvel is looking at Chris Evans – who I think is the best choice yet floated. Evans has a Marvel franchise under his belt, where he was the best thing about Fantastic Four, and he’s ideal for the Star Spangled Avenger. Evans has the looks, but more importantly he has the chops and the presence. Check him out in Sunshine and tell me I’m wrong.
Evans biggest problem has been that he hasn’t had that breakout role. I think he’s going to turn a lot of heads in Scott Pilgrim vs the World, where he’s going to prove he can do comedy, but I think The First Avenger: Captain America could launch the guy to right where he deserves to be.
But Evans isn’t the only name in talks. Mike Vogel, who has been bounced around before, is still in; I think I would cast Vogel as Cap in my photo shoot about the character, but not in my movie. Also still in the running is Garrett Hedlund, star of the upcoming Tron Legacy. Hedlund balked at Marvel’s tightness with salary, but he’s apparently back at the table. I sense that Hedlund is their #1 guy, but I have my fingers crossed for Chris Evans.