While director, Joe Johnston has delved into the promotional blitz for the Feb. 12 release of his remake of The Wolfman (starring Benicio Del Toro,) he also seems to be on a detail-dropping tear regarding a project further down-the-pike, The First Avenger: Captain America. Thanks to that tear, it seems that we've learned a lot about Cap's Avengers-related return to feature film, which will hit on July 22, 2011.

Before you continue, some of these details may be perceived as spoiler material. So, if you're the type who is ultra-sensitive to things like that, then you may be interested to know that in Chinatown, it turns out that Faye Dunaway's character was actually her "sister's" mother, who conceived the child with her own father. Moving on...

It's All About The Costume

To accommodate an understandable believability gap as to why a genetically-altered super soldier would single-handedly battle the Axis Powers wearing a jumpsuit that looks like a cross between Evel Knievel and Batman, Cap's origin was altered. As Johnston told the LA Times:

"The costume is a flag, but the way we're getting around that is we have Steve Rogers forced into the USO circuit. 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."

Adding: "So he's up on stage doing songs and dances with chorus girls and he can't wait to get out and really fight. 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."

Captain America...a showman?! While Cap may have been Lindy Hopping on stage for the entertainment of the Greatest Generation, it seems that his costume, once a silly prop for a show, will eventually evolve into something much more symbolic than the obvious American flag with which it is adorned. He will begin with a more innocent-looking version of the costume that will resemble the one originally conceived by Jack Kirby himself. Eventually, as we move deeper into the film, Cap will find himself "in the s***," and will wear a more practical costume designed for protection during combat. Also, it is pointed out that the traditional stripes across Cap's mid-section will appear as straps, instead of fabric. As Johnston elaborates:

"He realizes the value of the uniform symbols but he modifies his suit and adds some armor, it will be closer to the Cpa costume in some of the comics in more recent years . . . this approach, it's the only way we could justify ever seeing him on a screen in tights, with the funny boots and everything. The government essentially puts him up there as a living comic-book character and he rips it off and then reclaims some of its imagery after he recognizes the value of it. We think it's the best way to keep the costume and explain it at the same time."

I like the idea of Cap as a reluctant hero. However, what has always been the crux of the Captain America story (as he was revived in the 60's and joined The Avengers,) was that he was a living anachronism. He was a representation from a time when there was absolute certainty about what was defined as "good" and what was "evil." By the 60's, thought had evolved to create much more ambiguity. This was the root of Cap's issues. To cast Cap as a cynical person, who wants to avoid his destiny might come at the detriment of the later story. Sure, while we need a film, while taking place during the WWII era, to reflect our sensibilities a bit, it could be indulgent if taken too far. The fact is, there's no drama in disillusionment if you were already cynical in the beginning.

Casting

So, we know a lot more about the costume(s,) but WHO will finally claim the right to put it on? Apparently, we will know as soon as March 1 as to who will don the most patriotic costume ever conceived since Uncle Sam and Betsy Ross roamed the streets of Philadelphia at night as the vigilante team, The Pain Weavers!

In a surprising revelation, it seems that in no uncertain terms, Johnston's looking for an AMERICAN to play this part. (However, I doubt the same will be said for the film's toy line.) According to Johnston in a recent press conference for The Wolfman:

"I don't think we could make the film without an American playing the part. We may not be casting in America because we're going to London. we'll probably shoot in the UK for most of it because it takes place in Europe but ya we'll definitely be casting (an American)."

It therefore seems that poor Sam Worthington will just have to find a leading role in every other action film in existence. (At least the ones not already starring Ryan Reynolds.) In fact, Johnston would go on to make it clear that he hopes whoever gets this part will be an undiscovered talent who will surrounded with "more prominent" names. Therefore, look for some big name stars to take up supporting roles. (Shia LaBeouf as Bucky? Daniel Craig as The Red Skull? Will Smith as Franklin Roosevelt?)

Chuck actor, Ryan McPartlin ("Captain Awesome") was the latest name to be entered into the casting rumor mill. He's got the "All-American" look and his status certainly fits the profile. However, at this point, there are no favorites. 

Other Details

While I'm sure some had visions of Cap hurling his shield at the screen, as the entire audience responds to the innate reflex of avoiding decapitation, it seems that the post-Avatar 3D craze will not reflect in this film. However, it will be shot in HD.

Stylistically, Johnston has evoked the name of Ed Brubaker (whose recent reinvention of Cap shined most prominently during the Civil War storyline) as an inspiration for visual style. With The Red Skull having been confirmed as the film's primary villain, it will also be interesting to see how that character will be reflected under this motif. Plus, with the rumored appearance of The Invaders, this film might get really stacked! (Which could be good or bad.)

Can this somewhat ambitious project be pulled-off? When I think of retro-30's & 40's, I think of 2004's Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow as a recent example of that particular film-making style being paid homage. Personally, I thought the film was underrated and most of the "colorized talkie" nuance was lost on average moviegoers, which resulted in mixed reception. Even if Johnston manages to successfully execute whatever it is that he plans, the question remains: Will people buy it?

Source: LA Times