No big names in Captain America... yet.

[Dark Raven]

Looking at the cast list for Captain America, there aren't any immediately recognisable household names that would instantly draw audiences to see the movie. We have Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Sebastian Stan, Hayley Atwell and Toby Jones. How many people will automatically know who these actors are? Although Weaving has been in the Matrix and V for Vendetta, and some might know his name, he isn't going to be an instant draw, if they even remember who he is. How many will think: "I want to go see the new Hugo Weaving film"?

As for Chris Evans, well some might remember him from Fantastic Four, Cellular or Push, but he isn't the most recognisable name either. Certainly in the UK, if you tell people that Chris Evans is the main star of Captain America, everyone will think of this guy I can guarantee you:

http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m3/aug2007/5/6/4A6CD40B-CBEC-DA1B-05B8EAFA248905B6.jpg

People WILL say "what, Chris Evans the DJ?" and will laugh at the casting. He looks more like Toby Jones's brother than a Hollywood leading man.

At least Thor has Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins to support.

[Webhead2006]

how do u say hugo weaving isnt a big/known name, same with toby jones. Plus we still have other roles to fill with chester phillips, the doctor who changes rogers, and also the invaders/howling comandos.

[Rage]

Samuel L. Jackson is a big name. I bet he is in Captain America.

I do somewhat agree that the star power of the cast leaves a little to be desired so far. Lets hope that they end up landing a Harvey Keitel or a Dustin Hoffman or a Tommy Lee Jones in their supporting cast.... While Jones and Weaving are recognizable hollywood actors... they are not box office "draws"

[Dark Raven]

how do u say hugo weaving isnt a big/known name, same with toby jones. Plus we still have other roles to fill with chester phillips, the doctor who changes rogers, and also the invaders/howling comandos.

Toby Jones ISN'T a big name. It's a fact. Do you see that he has the same star power as the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Ed Norton, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, or even actors like Don Cheadle, Liv Tyler, William Hurt? Or actors from the other non-Marvel Studios movies like Hugh Jackman, Tobey Maguire, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Jessica Alba, Ben Affleck, Colin Farrell?

Any one of those are immediately more recognisable than Toby Jones.

I said that Hugo Weaving is probably the most recognisable name in the cast, but even he isn't a big draw in himself.

Even if a big name is cast as Rogers's doctor, that is still a relatively small role to fill. He has to die early since the serum can't be duplicated, so it won't last throughout the film. Audiences will hardly flock to a movie just to see a big name in minor role, unless that actor is billed above everyone else, but then that would be misleading as people will either think it's a more substantial role or that this actor is playing the lead.

Now audiences may still see Captain America even with a relatively unknown cast, but then it will be relying more on the name of Captain America than its stars.

[Vile]

0/10.

This thread fails.

[Webhead2006]

well we dont know how joe/marvel ultimately wanted the casting to go. Plus as pointed out there is still like 5-8 more supporting roles to cast and who knows who will land those roles.

[3atman]

I don't even know who Toby Jones is. Looking at his wiki filmography, it's because I haven't seen a lot of movies he's been in. To your credit though, I was expecting some model looking pretty boy who was in a TV series and a couple crappy sci fi flicks. Guy's filmography looks like he has talent.

I agree about cap not having enough A list talent. You don't need your leads, but you need A list, RESPECTABLE (key part) talent in the movie. Pretty much everyone is mediocre in both fame and (in my opinion) ability. The more cast members that get named the more nervous I get about this movie.

[Dark Raven]

So Dominic Cooper has been cast as Howard Stark, but still no big names in this movie so far - none of an Anthony Hopkins or Natalie Portman status like in Thor.

[Son of Coul]

Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones (rumored) are probably the biggest, but you can bet there'll be much more. They still haven't cast the Invaders or the Howling Commandos, so it's a safe bet they'll try to get bigger names there, especially the Invaders for international appeal purposes.

As for Hugo Weaving, everyone I've told has gone "who's that?" then I tell them "Agent Smith from The Matrix" and they're all like "oh **** yeah! He was in V for Vendetta also! Good actor, etc. etc." Something about hearing that he's playing a villain named "Red Skull" just clicks as awesome in a normal movie viewer's head. So just his face (even if deformed/masked) will surely be a good draw for people.

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

What difference does it make if there's a big name or not? A superhero movie will make money regardless. I doubt most people will go see Thor because Hopkins is Odin. They'll go see it because they want to see Thor laying the smackdown on giants, trolls, whatever.

[Webhead2006]

yea i think the cast is just fine, they dont need super huge names all the time. But then there is still a few key roles that could go to pretty well known/liked guys. We dont need to have all oscar nom/win actors on a film to be good.

[Evil Twin]

Toby Jones ISN'T a big name. It's a fact. Do you see that he has the same star power as the likes of Robert Downey Jr, Ed Norton, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, or even actors like Don Cheadle, Liv Tyler, William Hurt? Or actors from the other non-Marvel Studios movies like Hugh Jackman, Tobey Maguire, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Jessica Alba, Ben Affleck, Colin Farrell?



Before X-Men, Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, and Famke Janssen were essentially unknowns. I very much doubt that the average moviegoer knew who Ian McKellan was either. Tobey Maguire's biggest movie before Spider-Man was probably Pleasantville or The Cider House Rules, hardly huge blockbusters. Chris Evans, star of two $100+ million grossing blockbusters, is at least as big a name as any of them before they hit it big.

I do agree though that the biggest name in the cast, at present, is Hugo Weaving and him playing the major villain is probably an asset.

[R_Hythlodeus]

I agree about cap not having enough A list talent. You don't need your leads, but you need A list, RESPECTABLE (key part) talent in the movie. Pretty much everyone is mediocre in both fame and (in my opinion) ability. The more cast members that get named the more nervous I get about this movie.
qft
this movie needs 2-3 big names minimum, at least one of them in a bigger part, talented actors or actresses like martin sheen, bill murray or cate blanchett who add the needed gravitas to that film.

p.s.: please note, that I wrote random names of actors as an example. this does, however, not mean that I especially want those three talents. I could have written jeremy irons, sigourney weaver or geoffrey rush instead. or kiefer sutherland, honestly, at this point of casting I hope they get SOMEONE!

[NoirMan82]

Before X-Men, Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, and Famke Janssen were essentially unknowns. I very much doubt that the average moviegoer knew who Ian McKellan was either. Tobey Maguire's biggest movie before Spider-Man was probably Pleasantville or The Cider House Rules, hardly huge blockbusters. Chris Evans, star of two $100+ million grossing blockbusters, is at least as big a name as any of them before they hit it big.

I do agree though that the biggest name in the cast, at present, is Hugo Weaving and him playing the major villain is probably an asset.

This comment is NoirMan approved!

[THE MR. TERRIFIC]

I think the GP knows who Captain America is. I don't think this will be an issue.

[Bren]

I would guess that, for a comic book movie, having a decent movie and promotion = breaking even.
Having the above, plus big and recognizable names = Making money.

After that, the quality over 'decent' determines further gross. In this regard, I wouldn't think 'a name' would go amiss.

[R_Hythlodeus]

I think the GP knows who Captain America is. I don't think this will be an issue.
the GP knew who Superman was. That didn't stop the PTB to put Brando in that movie. Or Nicholson in Batman.

I mean, look at the cast of IM: RDJR, Bridges, Paltrow, Bettany; TIH: Norton, Tyler, Roth, Hurt; IM2: RDJR, Rockwell, Rourke, Paltrow, Bettany, Johannson, SLJ; Thor: Hopkins, Portman, Russo, Skarsgaard

Those are big names and they all sound even bigger in comparison to the cast of CAP.

The only slightly known name is Weaving who has managed to gather a cult following amongst comic book, fantasy or sci fi nerds, but is just a little bit more than unknown to the rest of the world. he is basically on the same level as bruce campbell. (and bc is probably the better actor, imo)

[marcvader]

I agree this cast is lacking compared to Marvels other films so far but their not finished yet. One advantage of getting a few more recognizable names is attracting the fringe moviegoer that usually wouldn't go to a genre film. I'm not worrying regardless.

[Webhead2006]

well another thing is maybe they wanted ironman to be cast the way it was and wanted to be different for cap castings.

[Chewy]

the GP knew who Superman was. That didn't stop the PTB to put Brando in that movie. Or Nicholson in Batman.

I mean, look at the cast of IM: RDJR, Bridges, Paltrow, Bettany; TIH: Norton, Tyler, Roth, Hurt; IM2: RDJR, Rockwell, Rourke, Paltrow, Bettany, Johannson, SLJ; Thor: Hopkins, Portman, Russo, Skarsgaard

Those are big names and they all sound even bigger in comparison to the cast of CAP.

The only slightly known name is Weaving who has managed to gather a cult following amongst comic book, fantasy or sci fi nerds, but is just a little bit more than unknown to the rest of the world. he is basically on the same level as bruce campbell. (and bc is probably the better actor, imo)
Weaving is on the same level as almost everyone you listed from IM1/2, TIH, and Thor in terms of how big his name is; I'd say only ScarJo, Hopkins, Portman, SLJ, and RDJ are significantly more famous, and RDJ can attribute his "name" status to Iron Man. Comparing Hugo Weaving to Bruce Campbell right after putting Tim Roth, Sam Rockwell, and Stellan Skarsgård on a list of big name actors is somewhat laughable. (I am not in any way putting down Roth, Rockwell, or Skarsgård, they're all terrific, just not bigger "name" actors than Hugo Weaving)

Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, even Chris Evans... these are not nobodies and they all have some degree of familiarity to the general public.
Even if Evans is only known as "that guy from those dreadful Fantastic Four movies" :cwink:

[KangConquers]

Tommy Lee Jones was confirmed by Hayley Atwell, presumably for the role of General Phillips (who serves as sort of a mentor for the young Captain America during WW2.)

Big name. Multi-time academy award nominee who has starred in movies that have grossed hundreds of millions of dollars. Sure he's not playing a superbeing, but he's got a fairly important role.

[R_Hythlodeus]

Weaving is on the same level as almost everyone you listed from IM1/2, TIH, and Thor in terms of how big his name is; I'd say only ScarJo, Hopkins, Portman, SLJ, and RDJ are significantly more famous, and RDJ can attribute his "name" status to Iron Man. Comparing Hugo Weaving to Bruce Campbell right after putting Tim Roth, Sam Rockwell, and Stellan Skarsgård on a list of big name actors is somewhat laughable. (I am not in any way putting down Roth, Rockwell, or Skarsgård, they're all terrific, just not bigger "name" actors than Hugo Weaving)

Hugo Weaving, Samuel L. Jackson, Tommy Lee Jones, even Chris Evans... these are not nobodies and they all have some degree of familiarity to the general public.
Even if Evans is only known as "that guy from those dreadful Fantastic Four movies" :cwink:

I strongly disagree...out of empiricism. Skarsgård is a houshold name, at least here in Europe, Breaking the Waves and Dogville made him very known, the POTC movies did the rest. Rockwell may have been known as "The guy from Galaxy Quest" for a couple of years, but Confessions of A Dangerous Mind made sure almost everyone in my circle of acquaintances knows his name. And Tim Roth is adored simply because of Reservoir Dogs. Never underestimate the star power you get from starring in a QT movie.
Weaving on the other side...his name is not familiar. He is either "The guy who played Elrond" or "The guy who played in those awful Matrix movies...who wasn`t Ted Logan"

I agree with you on Tommy Lee Jones, although he is only rumored right now.

[R_Hythlodeus]

Tommy Lee Jones was confirmed by Hayley Atwell, presumably for the role of General Phillips.
just saw that. good news indeed (depending on who jones plays and how he does it...two-face anyone?)
but I feel a lot more satisfied with the cast now, give me just one or maybe two names from that category and I'm very happy.
btw. anyone here thinks that there is a chance that helen mirren would play a part in a comic book movie in the next 3 years?:oldrazz:

[Shivsguy616]

Skarsgard isn't a houshold name in the English speaking parts of Europe, whereas Hugo Weaving is.

[Evil Twin]

I strongly disagree...out of empiricism. Skarsgård is a houshold name, at least here in Europe, Breaking the Waves and Dogville made him very known, the POTC movies did the rest. Rockwell may have been known as "The guy from Galaxy Quest" for a couple of years, but Confessions of A Dangerous Mind made sure almost everyone in my circle of acquaintances knows his name. And Tim Roth is adored simply because of Reservoir Dogs. Never underestimate the star power you get from starring in a QT movie.
Weaving on the other side...his name is not familiar. He is either "The guy who played Elrond" or "The guy who played in those awful Matrix movies...who wasn`t Ted Logan"


Out of empiricism?

US Grosses

Dogville $1.5 million
Breaking the Waves $3.8 million

The Matrix $171 million
Matrix Reloaded $281 million
Matrix Revolutions $139 million
V for Vendetta $70 million

Skarsgard is basically a nobody to US audiences, despite being talented. He's like the 7th or 8th lead in POTC behind, at the very least, Depp, Knightley, Rush, Bloom, Nighy, and Pryce.

Saying that Weaving isn't a name shows no understanding of US audiences. Or empirical evidence.

And, while I'm sure Portman is something of a name, she's not a box office draw.

And, if we're just looking at principal parts, Evans and Weaving as hero and villain is a long ways ahead of Hemsworth and Hiddleston.

[Webhead2006]

yea saw the news of jones being confirmed by haley hopefully we have official word soon.

[Weadazoid]

Jones and Weaving are big enough names to carry attention. Evans will get alot of girlies in the seats.

[Spider-Fan83]

edit:

[Webhead2006]

yea and still we have clue how casting is going to end up for the sss doctor, or what ever invaders we have. So we will probably end up with maybe one or two not well known folks, some modest known guys like evans/cooper are, and maybe an additional big name like tommy lee jones/weaving.

[Dark Raven]

With Neal McDonough on the cast, I still don't feel he's a big enough name. Marvel should've hired someone on the Tommy Lee Jones level for Dum Dum. People will recognize McDonough when they see him, but his name won't ring many bells for the general audience.

[bert19]

I think they are being quite clever here. Despite the fact that they haven't brought in A-list type stars (with the exception of Tommy Lee-Jones and maybe Hugo Weaving), guys like Neal McDonagh are very recognisable to audiences.

Just looking at his bio now, McDonagh has been in Desperate Housewives, Band of Brothers, Minority Report and Flags Of Our Fathers (two of those were big WW2 productions - coincidence?) - so audiences will recognise his face and know him as a good actor. Same with quite a few of the other casts members such as Sebastian Stan and Toby Jones. People will cotton on to them pretty quickly.

And remember, they probably don't want too many big names/faces overshadowing the guy playing Cap himself, just some decent recognisable actors around him. So they are having to do a balancing job here.

A note on Dum Dum though: I would have LOVED him to have been played by Woody Harrelson, reckon he'd have been awesome. But i'm sure McDonagh will do a good enough job.

[He-Man]

I don’t think we’re going to get any big names other than Jones and Weaving. I believe Marvel is banking on people being fully invested in the Marvel Movie Universe. No way will people see TIH, IM1, IM2, & THOR then skip seeing Cap movie and go straight to The Avengers. Cap is the last one before The Avengers. People are going to be fully invested and have to see how it all comes together before the big one.

[OB12]

The cast for Cap, much like Thor, is bringing in a lot of well-respected actors to round it out. I really love the way that Marvel is going after good actors who are recognizeable but aren't the big A-list superstars that tend to take over a movie. Hopefully we will hear casting for Union Jack soon.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Renner make an appearance alongside SLJ in Cap, probably as part of the recovery team.

[R_Hythlodeus]

The cast for Cap, much like Thor, is bringing in a lot of well-respected actors to round it out.
Tommy Lee Jones, maybe Toby Jones...who else? I wouldn't say that two makes a lot

[OB12]

Tommy Lee Jones, maybe Toby Jones...who else? I wouldn't say that two makes a lot

What about Weaving? McDonough is a good actor, and though they are young Atwell and Stan have also done some good work. I would bet that Renner makes an appearance, and there should be no question to his abilities.

[ddddeeee]

I much prefer the casting of Thor and Cap to the others myself. The mix of new blood and established talent is more exciting than a full on Hollywood cast.

[Rock Sexton]

This thread is nonsense.

[Webhead2006]

yea they dont need to have all A list actors all the time. It is better at times to go with solid actors/character actors and all that. Plus we know marvel is doing things on modest pay for their actors. So going with a huge a lister all the time they might be turned off at doing a smaller pay thing and all that. I think the cast is shaping up just fine.

[sdn]

I think it's great to see McDonogh in this. He really should have been Captain America if they made this movie 20 years ago.

[Tony Stark]

the GP knew who Superman was. That didn't stop the PTB to put Brando in that movie. Or Nicholson in Batman.

I mean, look at the cast of IM: RDJR, Bridges, Paltrow, Bettany; TIH: Norton, Tyler, Roth, Hurt; IM2: RDJR, Rockwell, Rourke, Paltrow, Bettany, Johannson, SLJ; Thor: Hopkins, Portman, Russo, Skarsgaard

Those are big names and they all sound even bigger in comparison to the cast of CAP.

The only slightly known name is Weaving who has managed to gather a cult following amongst comic book, fantasy or sci fi nerds, but is just a little bit more than unknown to the rest of the world. he is basically on the same level as bruce campbell. (and bc is probably the better actor, imo)

I'm laughing at this post, not because you said anything wrong, but because I remember in the IM boards having arguments with a certain individual who said that IM had no marketable stars outside of Bridges.

[I SEE SPIDEY]

This thread is nonsense.Agreed.

[Jake Cassidy]

Tommy Lee Jones, maybe Toby Jones...who else? I wouldn't say that two makes a lot

Hugo Weaving

[chiefchirpa]

They should cast Zac Efron or one of the Twilight boys as Baron Zemo. :cwink:

[craigdbfan]

Who gives a flip.

What matters is that the actors picked so far can all deliver good performances.

Also for a movie like this the more money they have for battle choreography, visual effects, and promotion the larger the chances of the film being a success.

Johnston will be the biggest factor to keep an eye on this entire project. He is the one that will either make or break Captains America movie future.

[FaT_tONle]

This is a corner stone movie in Johnston's career. If he doesn't get it done here, he's done.

[Webhead2006]

well i hope joe does well with the film and hopefully with the crew he has and the folks at marvel will keep things in check.

[Sharkboy]

Stupid Thread, it's not the big names, it's the acting clout and you really can't get any better than toby jones and hugo weaving, two very respected, very well known actors. To top it off Tommy Lee Jones? (rumoured or confirmed?) Plus i think NightRaven might be living in the 90's no one has cared or really felt that Chris Evans (the ginger one) has been relevant for years (apart from boning billie piper) Pretty much any average joe has seen Fantastic Four now, they might not recognize him by name but they will know him by face.

[Rage]

The movie now has Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci & Toby Jones...all respectable actors. It looks better each day.

[ultimatefan]

Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, now Stanley Tucci... This cast is full of big names, not marquee superstars maybe, but prestigious, well-kinown actors.

[OB12]

Agreed. I love the way that Marvel has cast their movies. They could've easily gone for superstars in some of these roles, but instead they give the title roles to up-and-comers and surround them with familiar faces with a lot of acting heft behind them.

[TNC9852002]

Very solid casting here. No complaints whatsoever...

You couldn't get casting this good in a CB movie 10 years ago..

[Webhead2006]

yea the cast is shaping up very nicely. and just a few more roles to go cant wait to see who are the last ones to get on.

[R_Hythlodeus]

with stsnley tucci joining I'll officialy stop complaining about the cast. tucci and the two jonses eare great actors.