Should Captain America be played by an American actor??

[OsGom]

I am not a Xenophobe. I have no problem with Wolverine being played by an Aussie. It did bother me slightly that Colossus was not Russian. However I believe that the hero who embodies the best of American ideals should be played by an American. It is intrical to who the character is. What do you think?

[November Rain]

of course not, he should be played by the best possible actor

unless you are going down the james bond route but it might catch some bad us press if someone else managed to play him.

could work either way

[OwlBoy]

Since his American identity is at the forefront of his character, yes.

[The Major]

The actor's nationally shouldn't matter IMO.

[Ronny Shade]

I think he should be american.

[captaintass]

Yes, the American Icon should be played by an American.

I mean William Wallace should have been played by a Scotsman, IMO.

[WeaponXProject]

I think he should definitely be an american actor. If an actor was cast as Cap from another country it would be all the media would talk about before the movie.

I don't think Marvel would cast someone that's not American anyways.

[The Major]

If an actor was cast as Cap from another country it would be all the media would talk about before the movie.

That's an interesting incentive to do it. Free advertising.

[captaintass]

Well, one wouldn't cast an Italian guy as the lead in a Martin Luther King biopic. I don't care how good modern-day makeup is...it's just WRONG. And yes, I realize that Cap is a fictional character but his Americanness is the CORE of who he is!

[marcvader]

Just give me a Captain America movie that will knock my sox off. I'm proud to be an American but I could care less what nationality the actor that portrays a fictional character is.

[Ronny Shade]

There should be a poll on this thread. I'd like some numbers.

[The Major]

Well, one wouldn't cast an Italian guy as the lead in a Martin Luther King biopic. I don't care how good modern-day makeup is...it's just WRONG. And yes, I realize that Cap is a fictional character but his Americanness is the CORE of who he is!

Nationality isn't the same as ethnicity. Actors can hide that much easier. This wouldn't be the Will Smith Cap situation at all. The biggest obstacle would be hiding their accent, which is easy for most foreign actors.

[Ronny Shade]

Even the best actors start to lose their accents in really emotional scenes. Gary Oldman was sounding a little british at one point in TDK.

I'd prefer somebody who just naturally is very American. Sometimes that's something that just oozes from a person.

I'd rather a guy be naturally southern or have a california accent if he's going to slip a bit than a british or australian one. Though I'd prefer a east-coast/new-england sound or a newscaster-style non-regional american accent on the character.

[captaintass]

Nationality isn't the same as ethnicity. Actors can hide that much easier. This wouldn't be the Will Smith Cap situation at all. The biggest obstacle would be hiding their accent, which is easy for most foreign actors.

Nice to see someone else in the world gets the nationality/ethnicity argument (I've been explaining that to morons for years when they ask 'What nationality are you?')

But still, casting a foreigner (even if his accent were flawless) as the American Icon would just be wrong. Period. Call it a gut instinct.

[chiefchirpa]

Should be, but not a must.

[Ronny Shade]

yay. poll:up:

[The Major]

Should be, but not a must.

Agreed.

[November Rain]

by the same logic, you'd expect the red skull to be german, but i bet none of you give a rat's ass where he comes from...

:o

heck, people don't even want thor to have a nordic accent...

:down:

bloody comic double standards

[OsGom]

by the same logic, you'd expect the red skull to be german, but i bet none of you give a rat's ass where he comes from...

:o

heck, people don't even want thor to have a nordic accent...

:down:

bloody comic double standards

Ha! November Rain. Good point and if this were a story centered on the origin of the Red Skull I would prefer a German actor. But it would not be a deal breaker for me.

[Ronny Shade]

by the same logic, you'd expect the red skull to be german, but i bet none of you give a rat's ass where he comes from...

:o

heck, people don't even want thor to have a nordic accent...

:down:

bloody comic double standards
I want Red Skull to be German.

But his name isn't "German Skull:

[The Major]

by the same logic, you'd expect the red skull to be german, but i bet none of you give a rat's ass where he comes from...

:o

heck, people don't even want thor to have a nordic accent...

:down:

bloody comic double standards

As long as he looks German, though they may be able to go around this by keeping his face under a mask or only showing his face when its deformed, and has a German accent what does it matter if the actor isn't German? They could still be a good Red Skull.

[November Rain]

you could say exactly the same thing about captain america

[Infinity9999x]

Of course he doesn't have to be American. All you need is someone who looks like Captain America, can do the accent, and is a good actor.

Honestly, saying that he needs to be American because being American is at the core of the character really is nothing more then a load of fluff.

Captain American stood for the ideals of an American from the 1940's, which, in case you haven't noticed, was a much different America then the one we're living in now. We don't act in the same way, or believe in the same ideals, or live in the same social climate. An American today is just as different from the Americans of the 40's as a British, or French, or any man of ethnicity would be.

I want the best actor for the job, and I don't give a crap if he's from America or not.

[Franklin Richards]

by the same logic, you'd expect the red skull to be german, but i bet none of you give a rat's ass where he comes from...

:o

heck, people don't even want thor to have a nordic accent...

:down:

bloody comic double standards

Actually he should be Asgardian, because that's where he's from. It's intrinsic to his story. But since there is no Asgard it's not that big a deal.

Being American is what Captain America is all about. Anything else would be like performing in black face.



:thing: :doom: :thing:

[The Major]

you could say exactly the same thing about captain america

Which is why I'm for a non-American being an option for Cap.

Red Skull would actually be easier to not use a German, though. They just have to keep him under a mask or the movie only shows his face when its deformed and get an actor with a German accent. They couldn't do this for Rogers.

[The Major]

Being American is what Captain America is all about. Anything else would be like performing in black face.

Foreign actors have played American characters excellently for decades.

The current Batman is from the UK.

[Franklin Richards]

I agree. But this is a different role. There is a list and he's prolly at the top.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[OsGom]

[quote=Infinity9999x;15995713]

Captain American stood for the ideals of an American from the 1940's, which, in case you haven't noticed, was a much different America then the one we're living in now. We don't act in the same way, or believe in the same ideals, or live in the same social climate. An American today is just as different from the Americans of the 40's as a British, or French, or any man of ethnicity would be.
[quote]

Honestly Infinity. I think the ideals remain the same how they have been executed sure leaves something to be desired. However, Cap never stood for the way ideals happened to pan out. He stands for those ideals in their purest form and he fights for what America could or should be.

Saying you don't give a crap just demonstrates how much we as Americans have lost sight of those ideals and how much we need Cap now.

[The Major]

I agree. But this is a different role. There is a list and he's prolly at the top.


It's not a role where its impossible for a foreign actor to do well, though.

All you need is a good actor. Where they were born really shouldn't be relevant.

[Franklin Richards]

I want to see a glimmer of pride behind the eyes. Not the glimmer of pride from nailing the art of acting.


And I'm an actor.



:thing: :doom: :thing:

[The Major]

edit

[The Major]

I want to see a glimmer of pride behind the eyes. Not the glimmer of pride from nailing the art of acting.

And I'm an actor.

If they do get a foreign actor for Cap I'm sure they'd get one who could accomplish that.

[jab1118]

Absolutely must be american. And as for Thor there is a difference between marvel Thor and the Thor worshiped in norse pagenism. The legend did start however in german paganism where he has red hair and a beard. Marvel has always written Thor to speak in a shakespearian way and therefore with probably an english accent.

[Franklin Richards]

Well Donald Blake was American.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[November Rain]

Actually he should be Asgardian, because that's where he's from. It's intrinsic to his story. But since there is no Asgard it's not that big a deal.

Being American is what Captain America is all about. Anything else would be like performing in black face.



:thing: :doom: :thing:
i would assume gods of a specific regions will converse in the native tongue they rule over.

[November Rain]

I want to see a glimmer of pride behind the eyes. Not the glimmer of pride from nailing the art of acting.


And I'm an actor.



:thing: :doom: :thing:pride?

it's a captain america role, not a mr teen usa role.:o

[Halcohol]

Haha :p

I would trust the director to cast whomever they thought was BEST in the role of Captain America, not who had the "true fire of the stars and stripes" or whatever. It's about who can give the director what they're looking for, and if that means masking a Welsh or Russian or Norwegian accent or whatever, power to them.

[Franklin Richards]

i would assume gods of a specific regions will converse in the native tongue they rule over.

Really? What about Hogun? He doesn't look very Nordic to me. How bout Hindu gods? They cover quite an area. Celtic. Sumerian. Egyptian. The Greek empire covered alot of ground. Should we be reading them in Turkish instead of English?


My point in this case is that we're splitting hairs. But in the case of Captain AMERICA, this is one of those few cases where the part would be benefited by an actual American.

Just like Hamlet should be played by a man and M'lyn in Steel Magnolias should be a woman.



:thing: :doom: :thing:

[The Major]

My point in this case is that we're splitting hairs. But in the case of Captain AMERICA, this is one of those few cases where the part would be benefited by an actual American.

It would be a benefit, it just isn't impossible for it to succeed with a foreign actor.

Just like Hamlet should be played by a man and M'lyn in Steel Magnolias should be a woman.



:thing: :doom: :thing:

This argument is wrong for nationality. It fits ethnicity.

[WeaponXProject]

Didn't Marvel already say they were interested in only American actors or was that just web talk?

[The Dude]

Cap should be American, but if the best man for the job is a Brit or Aussie etc, then I can get behind it.
If you have an American and Brit down to the final 2 and their talent and fit for the role is comparable then I'd take the American 10 times out of ten.
However if the Brit is far more talented I would rather have the best actor for the role than just to cast an American for the sake of having an American in the role.

[Franklin Richards]

Casting in film is usually like Occam's Razor. If you're looking for a fat, dark haired, italian the you cast a fat, dark haired, italian.

Now of course if some name wants to play a role he isn't type for then of course the studios that are in bed with him will let him play them. But in true casting fashion you go with what works.

I'm sure there are plenty of good American actors out there.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[The Major]

Casting in film is usually like Occam's Razor. If you're looking for a fat, dark haired, italian the you cast a fat, dark haired, italian.

Now of course if some name wants to play a role he isn't type for then of course the studios that are in bed with him will let him play them. But in true casting fashion you go with what works.

Agreed.

I'm sure there are plenty of good American actors out there.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

There are plenty. They just have to find one high profile enough to do it who will say "yes" and have an empty schedule. I assume it isn't as easy as it looks.

[Infinity9999x]

Honestly Infinity. I think the ideals remain the same how they have been executed sure leaves something to be desired. However, Cap never stood for the way ideals happened to pan out. He stands for those ideals in their purest form and he fights for what America could or should be.

Saying you don't give a crap just demonstrates how much we as Americans have lost sight of those ideals and how much we need Cap now.

You're right, my wanting the best possible actor for Captain America regardless of his native land shows us how far America has fallen in it's modern day values.

America today is different then it was 60 years ago, that's just the way it is. In the world Cap came from, you didn't question the government, you just did what they wanted you to, it was okay to smoke, in fact it was cool, women didn't work, they stayed home and helped the kids (unless it was during the war, then they had to), segregation was okay, and there was no mass media.

It was a different world, and the America of the 30's and 40's was much different then it is today. If you really wanted to get an actor that represents the America that Cap stood for, we should hire someone in his 80's, because he grew up in that time.

Honestly, it's a movie. I want the best actor possible for the job, and I don't care if he's French, Swedish, Polish, or British, as long as he looks like Cap, can pull off an American accent flawlessly, and is a great actor. And you know what? I bet if they did cast a foreigner as Cap, and he nailed the role, no one would complain about him being foreign again.

[Doomed_hero]

i can see how it would be akward, but I mean Liam Neeson is playing Abe Lincoln, Americas most popular president so, who knows.

[IDrawDeadPeople]

Thank heavens we're not applying the 'country of origin' requirement to casting Martian Manhunter or we'd be doomed! :wow:

[Congo Jack]

It's far more important that the actor understand the American Dream than for him to actually be American.

[Franklin Richards]

So everyone is ok with James Bond not being British? Somehow I doubt it.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[The Major]

I could if the actor is good enough.

[Franklin Richards]

Being an actor, I will admit a hyper sense of sensitivity in this issue.


I hate losing a part to someone who doesn't fit the type. :D


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[The Major]

Being an actor, I will admit a hyper sense of sensitivity in this issue.


I hate losing a part to someone who doesn't fit the type. :D


:thing: :doom: :thing:

That's okay.

I'm a writer so its interesting to hear an actor's point of view on things like this.

[Spider-Vader]

I think he should be American. Just as how Union Jack should be British.

[Abstract]

I dont think it matters. I'd rather see a great Scottish actor as Cap than an average American one.


But then again, I'm Australian . . . :P

[Congo Jack]

So everyone is ok with James Bond not being British? Somehow I doubt it.
Everyone who paid to see Pierce Brosnan for about four or five films didn't seem to have much of a problem with it.

[Hypestyle]

heh.. whoever it is needs the acting skills and the physical skills.. and if they're not blonde, do they dye their hair?

[IDrawDeadPeople]

To be honest, I have the natural tendency to want the actor to be American, because... well... it seems to make sense.

But, the more I really open myself up to actually thinking about it, rather than just being "set in my ways" about it, I tend to not feel there is a pressing need, so long as the actor is adept at portraying the role with justice to the character as well as to the 'American man'.

Without trying to be silly, I can't imagine simply never seeing, say, an Aztec in a film because we can't find an actor from that particular tribe.

The best case would be that the actor, regardless of nationality, is so good in the role that audiences are debating whether he is actually American or not.

"Are your girlscout cookies made with real girlscouts" - Wednesday Addams


I loathe that this will by default draw Batman comparisons, but Christian Bale, regardless of his thick native accent, was able to nail the lead in AMERICAN PSYCHO due to his ability to act like he is an American.

There is, obviously, the need for something 'extra' in a role like this, as the gravitas required to look the part, but also look like he carries the ideals of an entire nation on his shoulders - will take a lot from the actor who gets the part... regardless of nationality.

But, it can be done. And not simply by being an American actor. But, maybe from an actor who can pull off acting American. And, if they're really really good at their craft... pull of being the ideal American.

[Gweedo_of_Steel]

There are a ton of people that could play The Cap'n but I think he should either be a mjor name or a younger unknown i think Matt Mc (can't spell the last name) might be a good choice for cap or maybe the home boy from stealth and glory road.But hey we have no real say

[Chris Wallace]

Ideally, I want Cap to be American. He's the symbol of America-it seems almost a slap in the face if you get a foreigner to play him.
If, however, a foreign-born actor can truly do the part justice, you won't hear me complaining.
http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/timesquarerp/ChristianBale.jpghttp://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff96/Burriana91/heath-ledger.jpg

[Ronny Shade]

Everyone who paid to see Pierce Brosnan for about four or five films didn't seem to have much of a problem with it.
Irish doesn't count as british?

[Congo Jack]

Irish doesn't count as british?
...a joke, right?

[Ronny Shade]

Yeah.
Its close enough that it doesn't matter to me. Of course, I'm not british so I can't make that judgment but I would liken it to a canadian being cast as Cap, which would be okay with me, I guess.

[Chris Wallace]

I'm gonna run down the list again. These are the ones that were met with little to no protest from fans. We have seen thus far:
Black Harvey Dent
Australian Wolverine
Welsh Batman
British Scarecrow
Irish Ra's Al Ghul
Japanese Ra's Al Ghul
British Magneto
British Professor X
Scottish Nightcrawler
American Colossus
Black Commissioner Loeb
New Zealand-born Rogue
Finlandish (?) Jean Grey
British Aunt May
British Doc Ock
Now these movies got backlash or weren't well received, albeit not b/c of ethnic casting choices:
Black Kingpin
Irish Bullseye
Hispanic Invisible Woman (I believe)
White Fox
White Terry Fitzgerald
Italian Red Skull
Black Alicia Masters
American Elektra
British Juggernaut
Hispanic Callisto
Feel free to add any that I may have missed. And I deem it extremely likely that if & when we ever get a Black Panther movie, he'll be played by an American.
Like I said, an American Steve Rogers is preferable but not essential.

[Ronny Shade]

Hispanic Invisible Woman got all kindsa hate.

[RachelDawes]

Hispanic Invisible Woman got all kindsa hate.

I think the hate came from the fact that Jessica Alba's a terrible actress who played her role badly, not because she's hispanic.

[Wesley Dodds]

It doesnt matter one way or the other whether he's american or not... as we speak Robert Downey jr. is in London playing Shelock Holmes, a character as quintesentially British as red phone boxes and fish and chips.
As long as he can do a good British accent who cares? Someone mentioned Bond earlier and the same rule applies.
It doesnt matter where the actor they cast as Cap comes from, as long as his American accent is good..

[Ronny Shade]

I think the hate came from the fact that Jessica Alba's a terrible actress who played her role badly, not because she's hispanic.

It was both.

[Eggyman]

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/timesquarerp/ChristianBale.jpg


WTF is going on with Bale here? ****ing Zoolander! What's he doing? That is Bale, right?

[Steve Rogers]

It irks me when people say things like "Australian Wolverine". Wolverine is not Australian, nor was he ever portrayed as Australian in any of the X-Men films. Hugh Jackman is Australian. Wolverine is not.

There's a huge difference between a real, living human being and a fictional character. As long as Steve Rogers is American, I don't care what nationality the man playing him is.

[Infinity9999x]

It irks me when people say things like "Australian Wolverine". Wolverine is not Australian, nor was he ever portrayed as Australian in any of the X-Men films. Hugh Jackman is Australian. Wolverine is not.

There's a huge difference between a real, living human being and a fictional character. As long as Steve Rogers is American, I don't care what nationality the man playing him is.

That was the point of the list. He wasn't saying Wolverine was Australian in the movie, he was saying that he was played by an Australian and people didn't mind that.

[Rage]

I believe that the best actor should get the role. Is the role an american icon? HELL YEAH! But it's a role and the actor doesn't need to be from that particular country to play the role well and do it justice. Like someone mentioned before, William Wallace was played by an Aussie, Abe Lincoln is being played by Liam Neeson. I doubt any German actor has played Hitler in recent memory. If this is the case, should not a Norwegian play Thor (even though the concensus favourite Alexander Skarsgård seems to be a swede?)

I always point out the choices for Cap (and Superman) that aren't american because for some reason, most Americans feel that those 2 characters are theirs and theirs alone and should be played by Americans.

I LOVE the character of Captain America and I am a patriotic Canadian citizen! Cap is second only to Hulk in my books. I love the man out of time and the WWII aspect of the character. I love that he loves his country so much that he is willing to risk his life...JUST TO GET INTO THE ARMY! Are you telling me that if I fit the bill phsyically and I could act like a mofo...you would rather have Paul Walker play Cap becuase he is from the US? Could Paul Walker bring the love of the character to the role that I could? Someone's nationality should have no bearing on who plays Captain America...the best actor should get the role.

Rage

[CaptainStacy]

As long as he looks like the character i grew up reading about, and can act, i really don't give a **** what his nationality is.

[Rage]

Chances are, that we'll get an actor who is vaguely aware of who Captain America is. What are the chances of finding a decent actor, who knows and cares about the comic and fits the physical requirements.

we are more likely to get an actor, who is an A-lister, who is signed, then reads some source material and gains a respect for the character.

Rage

[The Question]

I'm gonna run down the list again. These are the ones that were met with little to no protest from fans. We have seen thus far:
Black Harvey Dent
Australian Wolverine
Welsh Batman
British Scarecrow
Irish Ra's Al Ghul
Japanese Ra's Al Ghul
British Magneto
British Professor X
Scottish Nightcrawler
American Colossus
Black Commissioner Loeb
New Zealand-born Rogue
Finlandish (?) Jean Grey
British Aunt May
British Doc Ock
Now these movies got backlash or weren't well received, albeit not b/c of ethnic casting choices:
Black Kingpin
Irish Bullseye
Hispanic Invisible Woman (I believe)
White Fox
White Terry Fitzgerald
Italian Red Skull
Black Alicia Masters
American Elektra
British Juggernaut
Hispanic Callisto
Feel free to add any that I may have missed. And I deem it extremely likely that if & when we ever get a Black Panther movie, he'll be played by an American.
Like I said, an American Steve Rogers is preferable but not essential.

Italian Red Skull only got hate because they specifically made the character Italian in the movie.

[Ronny Shade]

Hitler was Austrian, not German

[louiebling$]

WTF @ this thread!

ITS ****ING CAPTAIN AMERICA

[Infinity9999x]

As long as he looks like the character i grew up reading about, and can act, i really don't give a **** what his nationality is.


What he said.

[Katsuro]

This is obvious. The character of Captain America should be American, and whatever actor they pick should be able to convincibly play an American, and that's all. The guy could be from Mars for all I care, but if he can make me think he's American, that's all that matters.

It makes no difference that the character has the word "America" in his name. Bruce Wayne is still an American character, and is played by a British actor. Plenty of actors play characters of different nationalities/ethincities all the time. It's called acting. If the actor does his job right, you should be able to go into the movie, pretend you dont know the actor's non-American, and not even be able to tell.

[Franklin Richards]

Why you wanna take jobs from hard working Americans?



:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Bubonic]

I wonder if the people who insist he be American, because it is Captain America, felt about casting Americans to portray important historical figures from other nationalities.

[Franklin Richards]

You do realize that Hollywood is in America, right? That the films are made in English which is the language we speak.


Bollywood is available if you don't like Hollywood.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[RachelDawes]

This is obvious. The character of Captain America should be American, and whatever actor they pick should be able to convincibly play an American, and that's all. The guy could be from Mars for all I care, but if he can make me think he's American, that's all that matters.

It makes no difference that the character has the word "America" in his name. Bruce Wayne is still an American character, and is played by a British actor. Plenty of actors play characters of different nationalities/ethincities all the time. It's called acting. If the actor does his job right, you should be able to go into the movie, pretend you dont know the actor's non-American, and not even be able to tell.

Exactly. I've never seen a convincing argument against international casting. It's always, "Captain America/James Bond/Whoever is American/British/Whatever so I want the actor to be the same thing." It's all emotion, not logic. As long as the actor looks the part and can play the part convincingly I'm in favor of him.

[Chris Wallace]

The last guy who played Cap had brown hair, brown eyes, looked totally unconvincing in the suit & was a horrible actor. Those are the traits we really need to avoid.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a194/Kingsbury21/captain.jpg

[The Major]

Italian Red Skull only got hate because they specifically made the character Italian in the movie.

The Red Skull is under-rated in that movie. He was a great B-list cheesy villain. Its annoying he wasn't from Germany but being Italian isn't that bad a change.

[Chris Wallace]

If everything else about the movie hadn't sucked, maybe I could agree.

[Chris Wallace]

It irks me when people say things like "Australian Wolverine". Wolverine is not Australian, nor was he ever portrayed as Australian in any of the X-Men films. Hugh Jackman is Australian. Wolverine is not.

There's a huge difference between a real, living human being and a fictional character. As long as Steve Rogers is American, I don't care what nationality the man playing him is.

That was kinda my point.
Oh, yeah-AMERICAN V!
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/media_murder/v_for_vendetta.jpg

[louiebling$]

To me the ideal Cap is an american :o

[The Major]

That was kinda my point.
Oh, yeah-AMERICAN V!
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/media_murder/v_for_vendetta.jpg

V was Nigerian. Weaving wasn't born in America. He spent some time with his family moving between Australia, Great Britain and Nigeria until he settled in Australia where he became an actor.

Evey was played by an Israeli who was raised in America.

[Chris Wallace]

Okay-but neither of those places are England, are they?

[The Major]

Okay-but neither of those places are England, are they?

True.

[jab1118]

I'm gonna run down the list again. These are the ones that were met with little to no protest from fans. We have seen thus far:
Black Harvey Dent
Australian Wolverine
Welsh Batman
British Scarecrow
Irish Ra's Al Ghul
Japanese Ra's Al Ghul
British Magneto
British Professor X
Scottish Nightcrawler
American Colossus
Black Commissioner Loeb
New Zealand-born Rogue
Finlandish (?) Jean Grey
British Aunt May
British Doc Ock
Now these movies got backlash or weren't well received, albeit not b/c of ethnic casting choices:
Black Kingpin
Irish Bullseye
Hispanic Invisible Woman (I believe)
White Fox
White Terry Fitzgerald
Italian Red Skull
Black Alicia Masters
American Elektra
British Juggernaut
Hispanic Callisto
Feel free to add any that I may have missed. And I deem it extremely likely that if & when we ever get a Black Panther movie, he'll be played by an American.
Like I said, an American Steve Rogers is preferable but not essential.
The point is that being from america is essential to who Cap is and it is not all if not most of the characters you name. Also i could do without all nonsense that picking a non american Cap will do in the media and these forums. Would it ruin the movie for me, no but its a character centered around being the ideal american it would be wierd if the actor was not.

[Rage]

The point is that being from america is essential to who Cap is and it is not all if not most of the characters you name. Also i could do without all nonsense that picking a non american Cap will do in the media and these forums. Would it ruin the movie for me, no but its a character centered around being the ideal american it would be wierd if the actor was not.

Like William Wallace being played by an Aussie in Braveheart? Did that bother you? I understand that people want an American...but I want the BEST ACTOR for the role, not the best AMERICAN actor. I love the character and don't think that they should narrow the search to only American Actors.

Rage

[louiebling$]

I want the Best American Actor :)

[Franklin Richards]

We do have a few good ones, ya know.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[RachelDawes]

The point is that being from america is essential to who Cap is and it is not all if not most of the characters you name. Also i could do without all nonsense that picking a non american Cap will do in the media and these forums. Would it ruin the movie for me, no but its a character centered around being the ideal american it would be wierd if the actor was not.

It's essential for Cap, not for the actor who portrays him. It's essential for Batman to be a lonely billionaire playboy and for the Joker to be a psychopathic clown. Do the actors playing them also have to be?

[SPIDERMAN117]

Aaron Eckhart

[Midnyte_Sun]

I understand that people want an American...but I want the BEST ACTOR for the role, not the best AMERICAN actor. I love the character and don't think that they should narrow the search to only American Actors.

Rage

Agreed. http://www.superherohype.com/forums/images/smilies/icon14.gif

Ones nationality doesn't mean anything nowadays. Lots of British and Canadian actors live in the US now. If the Prince of Persia can be played by a half Jewish half Swedish actor, then by all means Captain America can be played by a really good actor from somewhere else...yes that means even a French guy.

[marcvader]

I want the best possible ACTOR for the role of Steve Rogers please.

[Chris Wallace]

Like William Wallace being played by an Aussie in Braveheart? Did that bother you? I understand that people want an American...but I want the BEST ACTOR for the role, not the best AMERICAN actor. I love the character and don't think that they should narrow the search to only American Actors.

Rage

If, if, IF he best actor for the role happens to turn out to be American, GREAT! If not, so be it. Why settle?
And here's a hair-splitting question; say they got someone who was born here but grew up elsewhere (Like Bruce Lee was)? Or, what if he was born in another country but grew up here? would you consider him American then?

[The Englishman]

I'm gonna run down the list again. These are the ones that were met with little to no protest from fans. We have seen thus far:
Black Harvey Dent
Australian Wolverine
Welsh Batman
British Scarecrow
Irish Ra's Al Ghul
Japanese Ra's Al Ghul
British Magneto
British Professor X
Scottish Nightcrawler
American Colossus
Black Commissioner Loeb
New Zealand-born Rogue
Finlandish (?) Jean Grey
British Aunt May
British Doc Ock
Now these movies got backlash or weren't well received, albeit not b/c of ethnic casting choices:
Black Kingpin
Irish Bullseye
Hispanic Invisible Woman (I believe)
White Fox
White Terry Fitzgerald
Italian Red Skull
Black Alicia Masters
American Elektra
British Juggernaut
Hispanic Callisto
Feel free to add any that I may have missed. And I deem it extremely likely that if & when we ever get a Black Panther movie, he'll be played by an American.
Like I said, an American Steve Rogers is preferable but not essential.

It irks me when people say things like "Australian Wolverine". Wolverine is not Australian, nor was he ever portrayed as Australian in any of the X-Men films. Hugh Jackman is Australian. Wolverine is not.

Ill tell you what really Irks me, the fact that all the Welsh and Scottish actors are classed as Welsh and Scottish but all the English ones are clased as British, why arnt the Welsh and Scottish ones classed as British as well, it pisses me off how the English identity gets swamped up in the British one.

[jab1118]

Captain America basically wears the american flag the entire movie none of those characters has anything like that. To me it will just be wierd if the guy is not american and it will bring unneeded attention

[Chris Wallace]

Ill tell you what really Irks me, the fact that all the Welsh and Scottish actors are classed as Welsh and Scottish but all the English ones are clased as British, why arnt the Welsh and Scottish ones classed as British as well, it pisses me off how the English identity gets swamped up in the British one.

Because I know for a fact which part of the UK Christian Bale & Alan Cumming hail from; not so certain of Cillian Murphy, Patrick Stewart or Vinne Jones.

[Rage]

If, if, IF he best actor for the role happens to turn out to be American, GREAT! If not, so be it. Why settle?
And here's a hair-splitting question; say they got someone who was born here but grew up elsewhere (Like Bruce Lee was)? Or, what if he was born in another country but grew up here? would you consider him American then?

Good question. Like a Keifer Sutherland? Good actor, lived in the states for almost his entire life, but is a Canadian Citizen. Would you consider him American enough to play Captain America?

I think its splitting hairs and being a bit nit-picky. You don't have to be an American to identify with the idea of patriotism or to identify with America (trust me, I'm a Canadian who has lived in both the US and Canada)

Rage

[Ronny Shade]

to me it's largely about accent. A Canadian accent is not much different from a wisconsin or Michigan UP accent. Also, its fairly easy to avoid. English and aussie actors tend to have their voices soaked in the accent of their home, and while its not hard for them to disguise it, it will slip out in high intensity scenes. This happens to the best actors.

I want Cap to be convincingly american.

Kiefer Sutherland is convincingly american. I didn't know he was a canadian citizen until right now when I read that post.

[Rage]

to me it's largely about accent. A Canadian accent is not much different from a wisconsin or Michigan UP accent. Also, its fairly easy to avoid. English and aussie actors tend to have their voices soaked in the accent of their home, and while its not hard for them to disguise it, it will slip out in high intensity scenes. This happens to the best actors.

I want Cap to be convincingly american.

Kiefer Sutherland is convincingly american. I didn't know he was a canadian citizen until right now when I read that post.


Actually Born in London England, then moved to California as a baby, but moved to Canada with mom after parents divorce and grew up in East York (near Toronto)... so he may actually have dual citizenship (UK and Canadian) not sure if he's also got American citizenship.

Rage

[Ronny Shade]

I knew he was born in London.

[Chris Wallace]

You don't consider, say, Bale-convincingly American?

[Ronny Shade]

not entirely.

[Rage]

You don't consider, say, Bale-convincingly American?

I think that it helps his credibility as Batman, when he does his interviews in his american accent. I know alot of people that don't know that he's from the UK. I think that he does a really decent job of his american accent. Better than say Clive Owen (who always seems to have signs of it there)

Rage

[Ronny Shade]

Has Clive Owen ever even tried to sound american?

[marcvader]

Inside Man maybe ? don't remember

[Rage]

I think he's tried, but his speach patterns are weird when he does an American accent (SIN CITY)

Rage

[Rage]

I think he's tried, but his speach patterns are weird when he does an American accent (SIN CITY)

Rage

[Ronny Shade]

That was not an american accent he was doing in Sin City.

[Rage]

He was trying to do an american accent though. ;) I remember him saying that during the DVD commentary. He got his lines just before his scene and he had to really think about how to deliver them in an American accent and he struggled.

[The Englishman]

That was not an american accent he was doing in Sin City.
He was trying because it certainly wasnt an English one.

[Ronny Shade]

its decided

Clive Owen

+

American Accent

=


No.

[jab1118]

I dont think jackman does that great a job either. I remember being pissed when i saw x-men that wolverine was australian i had no idea who he was and it was not until later that I realized he was trying to hide the accent

[Midnyte_Sun]

I think Hugh Jackman can pull off the American accent rather well.

[WeaponXProject]

Has Clive Owen ever even tried to sound american?
Inside Man and Sin City and he did so poorly. He can't do american accents very well at all but the guy sure can act his a$$ off.

I dont think jackman does that great a job either. I remember being pissed when i saw x-men that wolverine was australian i had no idea who he was and it was not until later that I realized he was trying to hide the accent
Jackman's accent is noticeable in how he pronounces some words. Russell Crowe does a good job. The worst I've heard was Eric Bana's in Troy. His delivery is terrible anyway but with that accent it's hilarious.

We are so off topic but oh well...

[Chris Wallace]

The only time I can think of when Jackman really blew it was when he said "hate & fear" in X1. Kinda like in "Hulk", when Bana told Talbot to leave & I could hear the accent there. But I can't think of one instance where Bale failed to pull it off.

[Ronny Shade]

Bale's accent is terrific, but there's just something about him that doesn't entirely feel american. I'm totally cool with this, however, because Americanness is not a cornerstone of Batman's character.

I also remember Colin Farrell's accent being very good, but I haven't scrutinized it lately.

[The Englishman]

Bale's accent is terrific, but there's just something about him that doesn't entirely feel american. I'm totally cool with this, however, because Americanness is not a cornerstone of Batman's character.

I also remember Colin Farrell's accent being very good, but I haven't scrutinized it lately.
Might be the British part of him.

[Ronny Shade]

yeah probably.

[bullets]

if they hide the accent i wont notice.

[Rage]

I think it would be interesting to see (of the 65% that voted pro-american actor) how many of those posters are American vs. non-american.

Having lived in the US (pre 911) I know how unbelievably patriotic americans are. Most (not all) patriotic to almost the point of ignorance of other countries and cultures. I remember telling my American buds all kinds of tall tales about Canada, and they just believed every word.

I don't know if it is any better now with the advances the internet had made, but back in the mid 90s... the people I knew at college had no clue about other countries.

[chiefchirpa]

I'm not American but I voted Cap should be American to avoid controversy.

[Rage]

I voted that the nationality of Cap is not important...that being said, if the 2 actors up for the role were equal in every way except one was a brit and one was an American, I'd have to go with the american (as the tie breaker)

I just don't think that being american should be one of the criteria for playing the role.

Rage

[Ronny Shade]

I think it would be interesting to see (of the 65% that voted pro-american actor) how many of those posters are American vs. non-american.

Having lived in the US (pre 911) I know how unbelievably patriotic americans are. Most (not all) patriotic to almost the point of ignorance of other countries and cultures. I remember telling my American buds all kinds of tall tales about Canada, and they just believed every word.

I don't know if it is any better now with the advances the internet had made, but back in the mid 90s... the people I knew at college had no clue about other countries.
I am american.

I voted american actor.

I'm not very patriotic.

[HulkStomps!]

I feel that since Cap is a fictional character, it's really not important weather the actor picked, is from this country or not. Just as long as he does an awesome, and BELIEVABLE job representing my country.

[The Englishman]

I am american.

I voted american actor.

I'm not very patriotic.

I Thought all Americans were Patriotic, in fact OTT Patriotic??

[WeaponXProject]

I Thought all Americans were Patriotic, in fact OTT Patriotic??

Why does everybody think that? When I was in college about half my friends (all americans) hated america for who we are and what we have done in last 40 years.

[Ronny Shade]

I Thought all Americans were Patriotic, in fact OTT Patriotic??

lies. what does OTT stand for.

[The Englishman]

Why does everybody think that? When I was in college about half my friends (all americans) hated america for who we are and what we have done in last 40 years.
Just going by the Americans i met in Mexico...
lies. what does OTT stand for.
OTT = Over The Top

[Ronny Shade]

definite lies

[WeaponXProject]

Just going by the Americans i met in Mexico...

OTT = Over The Top

Typical stereotyping right there.

[The Englishman]

Typical stereotyping right there.
But they were real Americans who i actually met,spoke to and drank with, not all of them but alot of them.....

[RachelDawes]

I think it would be interesting to see (of the 65% that voted pro-american actor) how many of those posters are American vs. non-american.

Most are probably American. I can't imagine non-Americans caring about the actor's nationality. I'm an American though and I don't care what country Cap's portrayer comes from.

[WeaponXProject]

But they were real Americans who i actually met,spoke to and drank with, not all of them but alot of them.....

So you met a few douchebagges. That's it.

[Ronny Shade]

lol "they were real americans"

I didn't think we were that hard to come by

[jab1118]

I think it would be interesting to see (of the 65% that voted pro-american actor) how many of those posters are American vs. non-american.

Having lived in the US (pre 911) I know how unbelievably patriotic americans are. Most (not all) patriotic to almost the point of ignorance of other countries and cultures. I remember telling my American buds all kinds of tall tales about Canada, and they just believed every word.

I don't know if it is any better now with the advances the internet had made, but back in the mid 90s... the people I knew at college had no clue about other countries.

I agree most americans are pretty ignorant of other countries and cultures I had a girl from new zealand go to my high school for a year and people could not comprehend the fact that she lived in a real city and not on a farm in middle earth. And **** im guilty of it how many americans can name the leaders of other countries in the world i couldnt name 3 but the rest of the world follow are elections for god sake

[Rage]

I think that most americans (actually any nationality) will become more patriotic when in the company of people from other nations. The guy who badmouths America with his buddies while drinking, will change his tune drastically if you introduce a Canadian or Aussie or Brit into the equation. That is probably why most non-americans think that Americans are very patriotic to a fault.

Rage

[The Englishman]

I think that most americans (actually any nationality) will become more patriotic when in the company of people from other nations. The guy who badmouths America with his buddies while drinking, will change his tune drastically if you introduce a Canadian or Aussie or Brit into the equation. That is probably why most non-americans think that Americans are very patriotic to a fault.

Rage
Who's that guy??

[WeaponXProject]

I agree most americans are pretty ignorant of other countries and cultures I had a girl from new zealand go to my high school for a year and people could not comprehend the fact that she lived in a real city and not on a farm in middle earth.


That's soooo true...:applaud

One of my friends said in a world cultures class in high school that he wished "No one would have taken his people from the country of Africa." We all still make fun of him for it.

What's funny to me is that America, being a mixture of many ethnicities and cultures, you think we'd learn more about the rest of the world through interacting with eachother.

[Chris Wallace]

And yet there's still an overabundance of ignorant racists & hatriots.
Back on topic, though-can we really mandate the birthplace of an actor as a prerequisite to his being fit for a certain role?

[RachelDawes]

I'm not American but I voted Cap should be American to avoid controversy.

I wouldn't worry about such controversy. It would be an issue for a little while but if the movie were good enough people wouldn't care.

[The Englishman]

I wouldn't worry about such controversy. It would be an issue for a little while but if the movie were good enough people wouldn't care.
Do people still care about Bale being British??

[Ronny Shade]

Do people stil care about Bale being British??
BATman. not Americaman

[Rage]

People aren't upset that the actor to play Batman wasn't born in a cave? ;)

I've said it before, I love the character and I am not an American. I think (that if I was an actor) I'd do a better job portraying him in a movie than some american actor who has no idea who he is and what he's really about.

I think the actor needs a love of the source material to really nail the role of Captain America...not a birth certificate that says he was born in the USA.

Rage

[OsGom]

People aren't upset that the actor to play Batman wasn't born in a cave? ;)

I've said it before, I love the character and I am not an American. I think (that if I was an actor) I'd do a better job portraying him in a movie than some american actor who has no idea who he is and what he's really about.

I think the actor needs a love of the source material to really nail the role of Captain America...not a birth certificate that says he was born in the USA.

Rage

Well said Rage.

[Chris Wallace]

Co-signed.

[RachelDawes]

People aren't upset that the actor to play Batman wasn't born in a cave? ;)

I've said it before, I love the character and I am not an American. I think (that if I was an actor) I'd do a better job portraying him in a movie than some american actor who has no idea who he is and what he's really about.

I think the actor needs a love of the source material to really nail the role of Captain America...not a birth certificate that says he was born in the USA.

Rage

The actor doesn't even need to love the source material. Heath Ledger couldn't get through a single comic book and he still captured the Joker. The actor only needs to understand the character, though liking the source material can't hurt.

[aka Kal el]

But they were real Americans who i actually met,spoke to and drank with, not all of them but alot of them.....

Yeah and the majority of Brits I met and worked with were great people though some are real @*&^. Especially in the pubs but I don't judge everyone by those individuals. It amazes me how us Americans are so violent yet you guys can't even watch a freaking football game without kicking the living @#$ out of each other! Do you want us to judge you by all hooligans? It goes both ways.:word:

[Artistsean]

There are Biography films where they pick an actor who not only looks almost exactly like the real person they are portraying but the actor is great, oscar worthy sometimes.

What if they could find an actor who not only looks exactly like Steve Rogers/Captain America, but he is an awesome actor who turns Captain America into an oscar worthy role,
But he isn't American?
What if this awesome actor is Australian or Canadian?

Would it really matter?

[smooth3006]

im having a feeling captain america and thor may not happen. i have my doubts about the avengers too. :csad:

[Chewy]

Then you haven't been following. All three are very much so happening.

[Lane & Kent]

Yes he must be played by an American actor

[cerealkiller182]

He should be played by the best actor possible

but I cannot help but think of the countless whiners and the media would have a field day with it since they like to make a big deal about any signs of anti-American stuff even if it is as trivial as a non-American actor playing Captain America. It just doesnt reflect well

[Happenstance]

Yeah and the majority of Brits I met and worked with were great people though some are real @*&^. Especially in the pubs but I don't judge everyone by those individuals. It amazes me how us Americans are so violent yet you guys can't even watch a freaking football game without kicking the living @#$ out of each other! Do you want us to judge you by all hooligans? It goes both ways.:word:


I know this is an old message but I felt the need to reply. There is very little violence at English football games these days, I still go to matches and I have never once come across it. It happens a lot more abroad than it ever does here now.

Oh and my personal take on the Cap actor, I wouldnt mind where he was from as long as he did a good job.

[StorminNorman]

Captain America should be played by an American.

[Superhero 101]

I think the guy from Fast and Furious would be a great Cap not Vin Diesel the other guy

[Mr. Todd]

I don't think it would really matter as long as the actor's good (duh) and he can pull a Christain Bale/Hugh Jackman and disguise whatever accent he has. If we had a Cap with a British accent or something, THEN it'd be a problem...

[Rage]

Best actor possilble = best film possible. Cap is such a hard character to cast, I hate the idea of limiting the casting to only american actors. Batman's a brit, Wolverine (one of the few truly Canadian characters in comics) is an Aussie... so if someone from overseas or north of the border can do an amazing job as Cap... I'm all for it!

[kedrell]

^I wholeheartedly agree. Don't limit the pool of actors to choose from. That said, it will be better off if it does end up being with an american actor, but only marginally.

[C. Lee]

Years ago....I would have said that he HAD to be American....but nowadays (after seeing so many British do great American accents)....I say get the best ACTOR possible.

[Happenstance]

I think the guy from Fast and Furious would be a great Cap not Vin Diesel the other guy

Paul Walker?........If so then oh dear god!

[R_Hythlodeus]

Paul Walker?........If so then oh dear god!
maybe Chad Lindberg?

[Happenstance]

maybe Chad Lindberg?

:lmao: That would definately be a new take on Captain America

[Brian Braddock]

Years ago....I would have said that he HAD to be American....but nowadays (after seeing so many British do great American accents)....I say get the best ACTOR possible.

I was about to post something very similiar this - only to find that you've already done my job for me.

I'd still prefer them to cast an American (and this is coming from a Brit) but if there is a guy out there who looks like Steve Rogers and can act to a sufficient standard but happened to be from another country - I'd be all for it.

(Oh - and it's awesome for Cap to have his own section at last, btw :D )

[Sentinel X]

Who cares if the actor is American or not? :huh:

The actors who've played Bruce Wayne don't have to be billionaires, the actors whove been banner don't have to be genius scientist, and the actors whove been Joker certainly didn't have to be sadistic psychopaths.

Im just saying, its ACTING at the end of the day....if a person can do a good job at it, give him the job. That is the whole point of acting, you can play a role that is completely different from who you are.

[Brian Braddock]

Who cares?

Seemingly most of the American posters on here, you being one of the exceptions, Sentinel.

All I've seen for years is stuff like 'Cap needs to be played by an American'................

[Rage]

I think its more important to find someone who understands the character and his motivations and can act... national background should be secondary. I want the BEST Captain America... not the best American Captain America.

Rage

[04nbod]

Firstly I'm not american but I want the best actor for the job. I want to watch a guy be convincingly Steve Rogers, the Captain America part thats an accessory. I think people here would put so many qualities about themselves before their nationality when asked what makes them who they are. However if you want an American in the role then just say you do rather than justifying it in a scenario where Americans playing non americans is common place. I would argue Superman is a bigger symbol of America to the world than Cap even with his name and how many people here want Henry Cavill? How many people here want an american Wonder Woman even though the character comes from a mediterannean island? People weren't complaining about Halle as Storm because she wasn't african. Robert Downey Jr. is playing Sherlock Holmes and do you see brits complaining? Pierce Brosnan, the irishman as Bond, Mel Gibson as William Wallace. What makes Cap different from any other American on film? What makes him the uber-american? Is it the spandex?

[dr.strange]

seeing as how some people are calling christian bale the best batman of all time,it shouldn't matter.im trying to think of an actor with the look of cap. blonde.blue eyes,6ft 5 or whatever he is in the comic.(don't forget, marvel did have a comic featuring a black captain america) how can we get sam jackson in this film?

[Sentinel X]

Who cares?

Seemingly most of the American posters on here, you being one of the exceptions, Sentinel.

All I've seen for years is stuff like 'Cap needs to be played by an American'................Oh that was a rhetorical question. I see that people do care but I don't know why. Its a movie, what does an actors personal life have to do with the film? What if he IS american...but doesn't really care about America. And there can be a non-american who LOVES America...so the whole reasoning behind the NEED to have an American Captain America is going right over my head.

Sure, it would be nice but personally I don't care.

[captainrogers]

As long as he can ACT, LOOK, and SOUND and MAKE US BELIEVE he IS CAP, I don't care where the actor is from. If a non-U.S. born actor can infuse the part with the passion for the ideals that represent America, who's to say he should lose the part to a lesser actor who's sole trumping qualification is a happy coincidence of the location of his birth. The irony sometimes is that I see more patriotism from immigrants than I do from born citizens. All in all, I guess I'm for the best man for the job. Regardless of his place of birth. Give me a man who will "Make Me Believe...."

[irapogi]

seriously, to all the people saying he has to be american..

I'd like a definition.

Seriously, someone who was born in america, but raised in the philippines, is still technically an american.

likewise, an aussie or brit who'se lived in america all/most his life could/might understand what you're talking about, but without the passport, would it matter? also, yeah, he might have an accent, but the argument is pretty much resolved that people can hide accents. (some better than others)

but in the case that we get the best actor possible, who could maybe hide his accent should he have one, and raised in america most his life, then doesnt have the citizenship

i dont get it.

i seriously think it doesnt matter.
best person for the job PERIOD.
should he be american, then great, but i don't think it's absolutely necesary

[irapogi]

As long as he can ACT, LOOK, and SOUND and MAKE US BELIEVE he IS CAP, I don't care where the actor is from. If a non-U.S. born actor can infuse the part with the passion for the ideals that represent America, who's to say he should lose the part to a lesser actor who's sole trumping qualification is a happy coincidence of the location of his birth. The irony sometimes is that I see more patriotism from immigrants than I do from born citizens. All in all, I guess I'm for the best man for the job. Regardless of his place of birth. Give me a man who will "Make Me Believe...."

qft.

[terry78]

I would let it slide considering we got Downey playing one of the biggest Brit icons in existence right now. But if he comes off like Liam Neeson trying to do an accent and failing horribly, then **** that mother****er, says I.

[terry78]

Firstly I'm not american but I want the best actor for the job. I want to watch a guy be convincingly Steve Rogers, the Captain America part thats an accessory. I think people here would put so many qualities about themselves before their nationality when asked what makes them who they are. However if you want an American in the role then just say you do rather than justifying it in a scenario where Americans playing non americans is common place. I would argue Superman is a bigger symbol of America to the world than Cap even with his name and how many people here want Henry Cavill? How many people here want an american Wonder Woman even though the character comes from a mediterannean island? People weren't complaining about Halle as Storm because she wasn't african. Robert Downey Jr. is playing Sherlock Holmes and do you see brits complaining? Pierce Brosnan, the irishman as Bond, Mel Gibson as William Wallace. What makes Cap different from any other American on film? What makes him the uber-american? Is it the spandex?

Actually, I have. :o