How much potential do you believe Captain America has?

[MilkmanDan]

That's not true at all. Check your facts before you post.

according to MSN Captain America has comic sales totalling 210 million in 75 countries. To say that Captain America can't be a hit outside of the U.S. is to be ignorant.

Interesting... I have to admit that I was mostly going by what I 've seen in countries I've lived in or visited. Cap has just never striked me as a character well known by the general non-comic book reading public. Well known by comic book fans obviously, but even by the average Johnny Foreigner? That does come as a bit of a surprise.

 

[ChickenScratch]

wouldn't that kind of be an insult to the real heroes of America during WW2 who lost their friends and brothers during the real battles. I mean we already neglect veterans enough now, and not acknowledging them and saying a superhero was the turning tide of the war I personally feel is kind of offensive.

It's a fable about finding hope man. If it were like you said an insult then they would have seen it as an insult back then. He's a symbol of the individual doing right and overcoming.

 

[shapeshifter]

Except Captain America really isn't a pro-America character anymore like he was in World War II. He's more of a pro-American Dream. The American ideal. You know freedom, liberty, equality, apple pie, and whatnot.

It's about a guy who got drafted, wanted to fight for his country, turned into a super soldier, and got turned into a propaganda machine, just like those guys at Iwo Jima.

Anyone who says that Captain America would be some "pro-America F**K YEAH!" character, don't know Captain America.

Still
what you say he stands for is still being pushed upon people who are happy with the way their lives are right now. Why does every place have to be another america? I'm not talking about violent places, or places that cower under a dictatorship that causes suffering and repression. What I am asking is why this young upstart country feels like it has to impose itself upon other countries that have existed far longer? Its much like the Catholic Church.
This american dream you speak of is a fine thing for you, but its much like your second amendment. Old fashioned and in need of a revision.

 

[CaptainClown]

It's a fable about finding hope man. If it were like you said an insult then they would have seen it as an insult back then. He's a symbol of the individual doing right and overcoming.

Well comics is not a medium that many people identify with. Movies are something that have a deeper impact and set the terms for something in the mainstream.

 

[Steve Rogers]

I think that to all you people who think Cap and the USA is around to force feed people everywhere American patriotism and the American dream and apple pie and baseball and crap, need to think that if the movie actually dealt with Cap not agreeing to the way America is these days, not only would it appeal to other nations, but it would also create a lot of drama and tension; things that make great films.

Of course if Captain America is about a dude dressed in a flag, pounding on his chest in the name of the red, white and blue, forgein viewers will be turned off. But, that's never been Cap. His name is very misleading. He's not about America or even Americans. He's about people in general. If the filmmakers respect this, there should be no reason for this film to fail overseas, unless of course people have made up their own mind based on an ignorant and un-true predisposition to the character.

Another question to you non-Americans. Many Americans think it would be a travesty to have an actor that wasn't an American portray Cap. Just curious how foreigners feel about that. Like the idea? Hate it? Would it make it easier to accept the film?

 

[shapeshifter]

I think that to all you people who think Cap and the USA is around to force feed people everywhere American patriotism and the American dream and apple pie and baseball and crap, need to think that if the movie actually dealt with Cap not agreeing to the way America is these days, not only would it appeal to other nations, but it would also create a lot of drama and tension; things that make great films.

Of course if Captain America is about a dude dressed in a flag, pounding on his chest in the name of the red, white and blue, forgein viewers will be turned off. But, that's never been Cap. His name is very misleading. He's not about America or even Americans. He's about people in general. If the filmmakers respect this, there should be no reason for this film to fail overseas, unless of course people have made up their own mind based on an ignorant and un-true predisposition to the character.

Another question to you non-Americans. Many Americans think it would be a travesty to have an actor that wasn't an American portray Cap. Just curious how foreigners feel about that. Like the idea? Hate it? Would it make it easier to accept the film?

that is what worries me.

you make some good points. I respect your position.
I don't really have a bias about cap being played by an american vs a foreign actor, but it would make sense to have an american. it would be like James Bond being played by a texan, or Ghandi being played by an english man... hang on, scratch that last bit.

 

[Kanon]

Another question to you non-Americans. Many Americans think it would be a travesty to have an actor that wasn't an American portray Cap. Just curious how foreigners feel about that. Like the idea? Hate it? Would it make it easier to accept the film?

Well, I don't think it would made a difference unless the actor is someone from my own country... in that case, everyone here would go to see the movie and would like it no matter what

But still, the character HAS to be american, no matter where the actor is from, and anyone would see the character first, and only the actor in his country of origin (or where he was known best previously)

 

[Steve Rogers]

Well, I don't think it would made a difference unless the actor is someone from my own country... in that case, everyone here would go to see the movie and would like it no matter what

But still, the character HAS to be american, no matter where the actor is from, and anyone would see the character first, and only the actor in his country of origin (or where he was known best previously)

That's what i thought, but ask an American what he thinks about a European playing Captain America and watch his head explode.

 

[CaptainClown]

That's what i thought, but ask an American what he thinks about a European playing Captain America and watch his head explode.

I could care less. Hell you could get an asian to play Captain America, America is filled with multiple races. My only boggle is the idea that a Captain America could be an epic war film about truth and doing what is right and all that stuff.

 

[GL1]

Captain America's potential is decent... there's a lot of heart in his story, but not much... magic. There's a certain intangible quality that I haven't seen Cap demonstrate yet. It's not badassery, it's not epicness or even the evocation of a certain emotion... something about his journey doesn't drill through to the heart of human experience...

I'm trying to put my finger on it... in all his journeys, in all his exploits and trials, Captain America never gives up, the danger of Captain America giving up, or not carrying on because he has become jaded... they never seem real and concrete... I know such stories have probably been published, but it never seems believable... I think a lot of the potential in CA lies in making a Steve Rogers movie, where Captain America is an act on some level. Perhaps one that Steve begins to believe.

And you add in how twisted the American Ideal has become... at best: make lots of money or die trying, at worst: take over the world... it makes it hard for an American Icon to realistically represent American ideals without making a statement for or against the real life uses of those ideals.

So, yeah, if they can make me believe that Cap can lose in his heart... this movie could be, quite literally perfect. But there are a few notable challenges, and I'm not sure that they can be overcome.

Besides, who cares if I don't believe in it? There's plenty of great stuff on TV and movies that I don't believe in... that didn't stop them...

 

[ChickenScratch]

Well comics is not a medium that many people identify with. Movies are something that have a deeper impact and set the terms for something in the mainstream.

Don't identify with? Well enough GI's read Captain America and other superheros to make me think that making it a WW2 story (like it was) is in no way disrespectful to the whole war.

 

[Bubonic]

It be awesome if they had a situation in the movie that would make people realize that Captain America isn't a tool to his government, the sort of dynamic show in CW, but I have my doubts that any director chosen for this would have the balls to put forth an anti-establishment type of vibe.

As a Canadian, I'd have no problem with Cap being portrayed by someone from another country, so long as he could lose whatever accent he had and was a good actor.

It shouldn't matter really, in the end it'll be American pockets being filled.

 

[CaptainClown]

Don't identify with? Well enough GI's read Captain America and other superheros to make me think that making it a WW2 story (like it was) is in no way disrespectful to the whole war.

I am still trying to get this point forgive me cause i Have a headache. So you are saying that because enough of them read it isn't disrespectful to the war? am I right?
That captain america is much different to the captain america asked from some of the fans here. Then it was a superhero now it is a dramatic story about a super soldier. And while reading this over I thought of how it could be portrayed perfectly (if my lore on captain america is right that is) and meeting the middle ground. But again this is a comic book movie not saving private ryan 2 captain america has arrived.

 

[sreeja]

Now i am heard about the project captain America.I need more about it to tell that it is good or bad.

 

[ChickenScratch]

I am still trying to get this point forgive me cause i Have a headache. So you are saying that because enough of them read it isn't disrespectful to the war? am I right?
That captain america is much different to the captain america asked from some of the fans here. Then it was a superhero now it is a dramatic story about a super soldier. And while reading this over I thought of how it could be portrayed perfectly (if my lore on captain america is right that is) and meeting the middle ground. But again this is a comic book movie not saving private ryan 2 captain america has arrived.

I hate heroes turned into this huge dramatic thing man. Fictional heroes are inspiration, entertainment. Heroic fiction is how life could be, not is. At the time there was a war and it worked in the context then as some sort of levity. It's one of those pitfalls of having a fictional hero in a real conflict, come adaptation time, how do you treat it? The respect/lack of respect thing is something that they didn't think of then, now we are all politically correct and it's an issue. Fact is, it's hard to divorce Captain America from his original purpose.

 

[Bubonic]

WW2 is a pretty effective historical moment that can be used without too many political overtones.
Never had the bad guy been easier to point out, WW1 wasn't so clear cut, and nowadays its factions within nations, more then it is the nation, plus there's a lot of shadiness involved. No need to even bother mentioning Vietnam in detail.

 

[Mr Jide]

That's what i thought, but ask an American what he thinks about a European playing Captain America and watch his head explode.

That would only apply to ignorant, uncivilised red necks who have no understanding of the art of movie making. However, I do believe that America has more than enough potential actors to take on the role but if an "outsider" is the best man for the job, then so be it.

 

[Mr Jide]

WW2 is a pretty effective historical moment that can be used without too many political overtones.
Never had the bad guy been easier to point out, WW1 wasn't so clear cut, and nowadays its factions within nations, more then it is the nation, plus there's a lot of shadiness involved. No need to even bother mentioning Vietnam in detail.

Well said.

 

[The Guard]

I love Captain America. A movie has all kinds of potential...that it will not reach unless something amazing happens. Studios and politics will never allow it to be what it could be.

CAPTAIN AMERICA can be far more than a superhero film. It can be an exploration of heroism, what it means to be a soldier (good and bad), a political exploration, and deal with issues of manmade power and control. It will also benefit most from being a period piece, which will likely hurt it at the box office in the end.

Things I'd like to see in CAPTAIN AMERICA:

-An actual exploration of the concept, not just an "origin"
-Why does a country like the USA feel the need to put a supersoldier/superspy in costume? Whose call is it?
-Is this the right move?
-How does Steve Rogers view war, and how does becoming a soldier change his views? Does he still buy into the US military forces positions on things?

 

[Jordacar]

-How does Steve Rogers view war, and how does becoming a soldier change his views? Does he still buy into the US military forces positions on things?

That's what I want to see, the personal story that has nothing to do with the political implications or the war-on-terrorism parrallels, but the journey of the character in the midst of the action.

 

[ChickenScratch]

Actually I would love to see the political side of this issue. The personal side is important but the steps that had to happen to make them come to this point that is the super soldier program. Was it that desperate a situation at that moment? If so how early in the war was it? Why this direction rather than engineering better machines of war?

Also, other than the moral boost to have a figurehead like Captain America out there he can't win the war himself. No matter how great he is, he's still one man and can't do it all himself so I see it in no way as disrespectful to those lost in the war.

 

[Karea07]

not much

 

[Red Mask]

I think that to all you people who think Cap and the USA is around to force feed people everywhere American patriotism and the American dream and apple pie and baseball and crap, need to think that if the movie actually dealt with Cap not agreeing to the way America is these days, not only would it appeal to other nations, but it would also create a lot of drama and tension; things that make great films.

Of course if Captain America is about a dude dressed in a flag, pounding on his chest in the name of the red, white and blue, forgein viewers will be turned off. But, that's never been Cap. His name is very misleading. He's not about America or even Americans. He's about people in general. If the filmmakers respect this, there should be no reason for this film to fail overseas, unless of course people have made up their own mind based on an ignorant and un-true predisposition to the character.

Another question to you non-Americans. Many Americans think it would be a travesty to have an actor that wasn't an American portray Cap. Just curious how foreigners feel about that. Like the idea? Hate it? Would it make it easier to accept the film?

This past week WW fans have been arguing over Australian Teresa Palmer being Wonder Woman. The subject of her nationality brought the strange idea that an American would be better, although WW is from an ancient Amazon race who speak ancient Greek.

If the actor can portray a mid-20th century American, that's fine. But don't be fooled into thinking there's nothing political behind Captain America's image. He was created during World War 2, which does have political ideals. The film should move beyond that, especially since he'll return to the present times. He's the Super Patriot but he can never be too far from the politics. It's something everybody has to deal with.

 

[Red Mask]

Actually I would love to see the political side of this issue. The personal side is important but the steps that had to happen to make them come to this point that is the super soldier program. Was it that desperate a situation at that moment? If so how early in the war was it? Why this direction rather than engineering better machines of war?

I wouldn't compare the super soldier program to that of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The recent death of Cmdr. Paul Tibbet brings back the haunting question of the A-bomb. But I don't see a similarity of the morality behind both of them.

 

[ChickenScratch]

He could have been analogous to the A-bomb ... if it was more than one of him. He's very powerful, but not wipe out entire cities powerful. He can handle himself in dangerous missions where other men might be killed or captured but he's still one dude.

Also, since he's gonna be resurrected in the present. Would he have the same effect on a modern world? Would everyone see him, be inspired. Would the enemies be afraid in their hovels fearing not only the American living machine but those of their own kind who would turn on them and do right by his example.