Corona | Coming Attractions

Marvel Studios confirmed today that Hugo Weaving will indeed play The Red Skull in the film. Better late than never, right?

Is Tommy Lee Jones up for a part in Captain America? Sources tell UGO that the Men in Black star is in negotiations to join the film's cast in a part that's unrevealed at this time.

At the press junket for Iron Man 2, Marvel's Kevin Feige revealed exclusively to CHUD that the Howling Commandos will appear in the Captain America movie. In the Marvel comic book universe the Commandos fought alongside Nick Fury and occasionally Captain America in World War II. How the movie will handle the Commandos, and which of their number will appear, are mysteries for now.

At a press roundtable today Samuel L. Jackson revealed that he will appear as Colonel Nick Fury in the movie. Jackson told the assembled press that he's scheduled to "do the Captain America movie this summer in London."

28-year-old Hayley Atwell has won the part of Peggy Carter, Steve Rogers' love interest in Captain America: The First Avenger. The brunette actress has appeared in the most recent film version of Brideshead Revisited as well as the recent television remake of The Prisoner and The Pillars of the Earth.

Marvel says that her character will be "updated" for the Captain America film but that Peggy will still remain in the World War II era fighting against the German forces and The Red Skull.

In his first comment to the press after the hiring of Chris Evans as Captain America, director Joe Johnston tells Earth's Mightest Fansite the reason why he thinks he's picked the best actor to play the on-screen Cap. Here's some of the site's juicy:

On the two different physical looks of the character: "Casting Captain America is really casting two roles...Steve Rogers before and after the transformation from 98 pound weakling to perfect physical specimen. I can't divulge how we're going to do it, but the performance will be Chris Evans from beginning to end. An actor playing Captain America has to embody that backstory and let it inform his understanding of his new self."

On how Evans landed the part: "Chris didn't audition at all. I was already familiar with everything he'd done and was championing his cause, not that I had a fight from the Marvel team. They were fans of his as well. He came in to the art department to say hi, saw all the jaw-dropping art and designs on the wall and reacted the way I'd hoped he would. It was really his wonderful enthusiasm for everything he saw that cinched the deal. We have some of the best designers and illustrators in the industry working for us and the art is just incredible to wander through. He will bring the perfect balance of dramatic performance and physicality to the role."

Soon after Hero Complex broke the story that Emily Blunt had been offered the part of Peggy Carter, the British World War II-era girlfriend of Steve Rogers, the site updated that she had turned down the offer. The outlet maintains that there is still a shortlist of possible candidates remaining, all English such as Keira Knightley and Alice Eve.

It was the question on the minds of all the journalists sitting at the roundtable with the cast of The Losers and Chris Evans knew it. Even though the publicists for the Warner Bros. movie had asked the reporters to hold any questions concerning Evans' recent casting as Captain America, the question was asked why the actor wanted to play another Marvel superhero and it drew this response:

"I think Marvel is doing a lot of good things right now, and it's a fun character. Even if it wasn't a comic book. I think the story of Steve Rogers is great. He's a great guy. Even if it was just a script about anybody, I would probably want to do it. So it wasn't necessarily about the comic itself. He's a great character. He's a great character to play. He just happens to be a comic book character."

Marvel has sent out a press release officially confirming Chris Evans in the role of Steve Rogers/Captain America. Here is the full announcement:

"Marvel Studios has officially confirmed that Chris Evans will star as Captain America in the studio’s highly anticipated movie THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA directed by Joe Johnston from a script penned by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

"Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA.  Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, Stratton Leopold and Louis D’Esposito will executive produce.  The film will be released in the US on July 22, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

"THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.

"Chris Evans will next star in Sylvain White’s THE LOSERS.  He will also star in Edgar Wright’s SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD.  He recently wrapped production on PUNCTURE and he will soon start production on WHATS YOUR NUMBER.  Evans previous credits include starring as Johnny Storm in the FANTASTIC FOUR Films, Danny Boyle’s SUNSHINE and David Ayer’s STREET KINGS.

"In addition to THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including the highly anticipated sequel, IRON MAN 2, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow on May 7, 2010, THOR on May 6, 2011, and THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012.

"Evans is represented by CAA, 3 Arts Entertainment and his attorney at Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson & Binder.

"About Marvel Entertainment
"Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics).  Marvel's strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.  For more information visit www.marvel.com."

Actor Sebastian Stan (Gossip Girl, Hot Tub Time Machine) has won the role of Bucky Barnes, the sidekick to Captain America. In the comics Bucky fought beside Cap in the Second World War, becoming his closest friend and confidant. In the comics Bucky appeared to die in the same mission that Captain America was lost in but in recent issues his character was brought back as a cyborg assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

Stan was one of the many actors that also auditioned for the Captain America part. His deal also includes reprising his role in future Captain America sequels and other Marvel movies like The Avengers.

The Hollywood Reporter now states that Chris Evans has accepted the deal and will play Captain America. The outlet states that the dealmaking between Marvel and Evans' representatives went faster than expected. The only major hinderance was over whether the Fantastic Four actor wanted to play another superhero. After a few days of thinking it through, Evans' mind was settled and he was cool about playing Marvel's main Avenger. Now all that is left is the official casting announcement.

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is reporting that Chris Evans has been offered the role of Captain America. When asked to comment on the casting rumor, Marvel Enterprises chose to not address it. Calls to Evans' agency, CAA, were not returned.

Evans played Johnny Storm, better known as the Human Torch, in two Fantastic Four movies. His next big screen appearance will be in The Losers.

Channing Tatum (Dear John, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) and Ryan Philippe (MacGruber) are now known as new hopefuls up for the role of Captain America. Tatum was scooped by Deadline while Phillippe was reported by Hitfix.

This now brings the total number of known actors up for the part to nine.

Deadline also reports that a British actress is wanted for the film's love interest, Betty, and among the potential candidates are Emily Blunt (The Wolfman), Keira Knightly (Pirates of the Caribbean) and Alice Eve (She's Out of My League).

Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is breaking the word that Hugo Weaving is in contract negotiations to play Captain America's villain, the Red Skull. According to the blog Weaving's deal is in a "delicate" phase. If all works out, he should be closed in a day or two.

This would be The Matrix star's second time working for director Joe Johnston (after The Wolfman).

Today has seen a busy day for casting rumors concerning who will -- and who won't -- be playing the role of Captain America. Let's line the news up:

First came Fox 411's report that The Office star John Krasinski was the top choice for Marvel to play the all-American hero. "John has read 4 times and is doing screen tests," the site's source spills.  "He has screen tested 2 times so far.  It's very likely that he will be the new Captain America.  He is a favorite among the key decision makers and has been asked to come back for more this week."

Deadline Hollywood decided that they didn't like being left out of the pickens so they ran a story adding that three other actors are being considered for Cap: Chris Evans (Push, Fantastic Four), Garrett Hedlund (Tron Legacy) and Mike Vogel (Cloverfield).

And then came The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog. Heat Vision names Evans, Vogel and Wilson Bethel (Generation Kill) as candidates but throws this humdinger out -- according to them Krasinski is out of the running.

It looks like Marvel is moving forward on making a casting decision soon.