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Who Will Be Captain America?

By | February 25th, 2010
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Word has come out that Marvel is in the process of screen testing a variety of actors for their upcoming blockbuster The First Avenger: Captain America directed by Joe Johnston, and the list is filled with a mix of known quantities and burgeoning young stars.

According to the report from The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision Blog, contenders include John Krasinski (The Office), Michael Cassidy (The O.C., Smallville), Patrick Flueger (The 4400), Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights), Wilson Bethel (Generation Kill), Mike Vogel (Cloverfield), and Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl).

While many fans have clamored for known quantities like Aaron Eckhart or less known but well loved actors like Nathan Fillion or John Barrowman, this list is unsurprising given that the role will be one that is extremely iconic and will become that actor’s identity almost immediately.

But which one will be Captain America? I break down the contenders after the jump.

John Krasinski: Krasinski doubles as both the most well known of the candidates, developing a nice mix of mainstream love and indie sensibilities in his short career, and as the oddest. When you think of Krasinski, you immediately think of characters who are witty and quick like his characters from The Office and Away We Go, not of the living, breathing personification of patriotism. To me, he’s too well known to fit what Marvel needs to go for and just doesn’t look the part. As much as I like the guy, he simply isn’t Captain America.

Michael Cassidy: An intriguing choice, as he is someone whose looks are ambiguous enough to play almost every era of the character. He has a classic, all American look and in my limited experience with his acting, I think he has the chops to pull off a role like this. Bonus points for being part of Seth Cohen’s Comic Book Club in The O.C. as well. Throw in the fact that he is known but not well enough to submerge the iconic nature of Steve Rogers, and I think we have a good fit if he’s capable of bulking up.

Patrick Flueger: I love this choice. I’ve long been a fan of Mr. Flueger, an underrated actor for his role as Shawn Farrell in The 4400 and someone who has a real ability to command the screen. Throw in his all American look and an underrated and mostly unknown work slate to date, and I think you have a great choice. My main beef is this: he works against the “David Harper Theory of Fame.” For one to achieve true greatness, you need a great name. Flueger is just a really weird name. Oddly he’s biggest negative.

Scott Porter: Fits almost everything you want in your Captain America: very good actor (see: Friday Night Lights), sneaky good career, great name, all American looks, and the ability to be physically imposing. On top of that, this guy is actually a legitimate comic book fan and someone who would approach the role with a sense of respect. Here’s his biggest beef: this is a role that will likely lead to sequels and definitely appearances in Avengers movies…Porter is three years older than Flueger and Cassidy, and is already past 30. Is he young enough for the role?

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Wilson Bethel: I hate to be a naysayer about someone I’ve never seen act before, but the fact of the matter is this: he looks like a freaking model. All chiseled cheekbones and Blue Steel looks, this is the type of look that would put upon old Steve Rogers and be taken down a notch by new Steve Rogers. He does have significant military acting experience, but I just think he doesn’t really look the part.

Mike Vogel: Out of all of the candidates, this is the guy who arguably most looks the part. You look at him, and you could definitely see Steve Rogers somewhere in there. However, in my limited experience with his acting, I’m unsure as to whether or not he has the chops to carry the role. It’s possible that he hasn’t had a chance to shine yet, I just don’t want to see such a major comic movie weighed down by a wooden performance.

Chace Crawford: No.

All in all, if I was a betting man and I got what I wanted from this movie, it’d be either Cassidy, Flueger or Porter. They are all quality actors that fit the requisites I think are paramount to the role. Of course, I’ve been wrong many times before.

To everyone who is suspicious of the direction Marvel is going with the casting so far, remember this: no one knew who Hugh Jackman was before he was cast in X-Men as Wolverine. Now he’s one of the biggest stars in the world. Just you wait my friends.


David Harper

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