Should Captain America be played by an American actor??

[The Major]

Originally Posted by Franklin Richards

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.

[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]

Originally Posted by Franklin Richards

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.

[The Major]

edit

[The Major]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[November Rain]

Originally Posted by Franklin Richards

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.

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

[November Rain]

Originally Posted by 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.

pride?

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

[Halcohol]

Haha

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]

Originally Posted by November Rain

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.

[The Major]

Originally Posted by Franklin Richards

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.

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.

[The Major]

Originally Posted by 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.

Agreed.

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

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!

[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.

[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.