First Avenger Is it mandatory that Captain America be played by an American?

[[A]]

Mandatory? Not really.

Preferred? Absolutely.

Yup.

 

[04nbod]

James Bond has been played by a non brit before. George Lazenby was australian and Pierce Brosnan was from the republic of Ireland.

 

[Webhead2006]

It would be great if they get an american born/raised actor there is plently out there. It would help sell the american image to the general public. But if they cant find the right person for them who is american i wouldnt mind if its an non american as long as he can pull an american accent off well and no accent slipups.

 

[NotFadeAway]

With ANY other Superhero, I don't care were the actor is from as long as they can play the part. That includes Superman, I don't get why so many get mad about Supes being played by a non-american when the character is a universal immigrant created by a Canadian and the son of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania.

BUT, with Captain America, the character must be played by an American, for the pure fact that this is going to WW2 period piece. You do know this needs to be without a doubt, the most patriotic comic book movie ever, this is the one character were it's ok to drown yourself in patriotism? Think of the era this is set in, the last time America truly believed in itself and what it was fighting for, an age of everyday heroes fighting for the world. This movie needs to embrace this, and that means an American actor is a must. This is the one movie were it's ok to have Americans flags flying in the air and a completely one sided, brutal portrayal of the villians, a booming, patriotic theme through out the picture. I fully expect that at the very least, there will be a PG-13 rating.

And damnit, I want a scene with CAP fighting in the pacific! Maybe I'm just loving my country at the moment, but damn I'd love to make this movie.

 

[BestGirl]

With ANY other Superhero, I don't care were the actor is from as long as they can play the part. That includes Superman, I don't get why so many get mad about Supes being played by a non-american when the character is a universal immigrant created by a Canadian and the son of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania.

BUT, with Captain America, the character must be played by an American, for the pure fact that this is going to WW2 period piece. You do know this needs to be without a doubt, the most patriotic comic book movie ever, this is the one character were it's ok to drown yourself in patriotism? Think of the era this is set in, the last time America truly believed in itself and what it was fighting for, an age of everyday heroes fighting for the world. This movie needs to embrace this, and that means an American actor is a must. This is the one movie were it's ok to have Americans flags flying in the air and a completely one sided, brutal portrayal of the villians, a booming, patriotic theme through out the picture. I fully expect that at the very least, there will be a PG-13 rating.

And damnit, I want a scene with CAP fighting in the pacific! Maybe I'm just loving my country at the moment, but damn I'd love to make this movie.

I'd like that too. It's a shame movies so often ignore the Pacific theater in favor of the European theater.

 

[NotFadeAway]

I'd like that too. It's a shame movies so often ignore the Pacific theater in favor of the European theater.

No kidding, right

I think it's because the Pacific was so much more about the United States vs. Japan, and Europe was Germany, and to a much lesser extent Italy, fighting the world. And on top of that you had the Nazis and Hitler trying to cmmit mass genocide and worldwide domination through selective breeding, while Japan wanted to control Asia so they could spread from there Island and mantain a powerful economy. But even then, the pacific should be visted more often.

I would have Captain America's debut mission be in the pacific, and then he moves on to Europe.

And speaking of War movies, it's about time for a World War 1 and/or Korean War movie.

 

[Infinity9999x]

With ANY other Superhero, I don't care were the actor is from as long as they can play the part. That includes Superman, I don't get why so many get mad about Supes being played by a non-american when the character is a universal immigrant created by a Canadian and the son of Jewish immigrants from Lithuania.

BUT, with Captain America, the character must be played by an American, for the pure fact that this is going to WW2 period piece. You do know this needs to be without a doubt, the most patriotic comic book movie ever, this is the one character were it's ok to drown yourself in patriotism? Think of the era this is set in, the last time America truly believed in itself and what it was fighting for, an age of everyday heroes fighting for the world. This movie needs to embrace this, and that means an American actor is a must. This is the one movie were it's ok to have Americans flags flying in the air and a completely one sided, brutal portrayal of the villians, a booming, patriotic theme through out the picture. I fully expect that at the very least, there will be a PG-13 rating.

And damnit, I want a scene with CAP fighting in the pacific! Maybe I'm just loving my country at the moment, but damn I'd love to make this movie.

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree. Just because it's a period piece about WWII does not in any way shape or form mean that the actor who plays Cap must be an American. Heck, if you want to make it really patriotic, I say the actor who plays Cap must have ACTUALLY served in WWII! Only then will we be truly patriotic enough for the character and the movie!

The logic is simply ridiculous. If you really love this character, you want the best actor for the role, regardless of where he grew up. It may be that a foreign actor embodies Cap more than an American, and I see no way in which that could hurt the movie, or the "patriotic" feel of it. A good enough actor (and a good enough script) will make you forget that they aren't really "authentic." And if it's an unknown actor, most people won't know unless they look him up, and if the movie's good, then they won't care.

 

[BestGirl]

No kidding, right

I think it's because the Pacific was so much more about the United States vs. Japan, and Europe was Germany, and to a much lesser extent Italy, fighting the world. And on top of that you had the Nazis and Hitler trying to cmmit mass genocide and worldwide domination through selective breeding, while Japan wanted to control Asia so they could spread from there Island and mantain a powerful economy. But even then, the pacific should be visted more often.

I would have Captain America's debut mission be in the pacific, and then he moves on to Europe.

And speaking of War movies, it's about time for a World War 1 and/or Korean War movie.

Very true. I'm tired of hearing about WWII movies, CA not included. I wouldn't mind seeing completely new conflicts depicted on the big screen.

 

[NotFadeAway]

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree. Just because it's a period piece about WWII does not in any way shape or form mean that the actor who plays Cap must be an American. Heck, if you want to make it really patriotic, I say the actor who plays Cap must have ACTUALLY served in WWII! Only then will we be truly patriotic enough for the character and the movie!

The logic is simply ridiculous. If you really love this character, you want the best actor for the role, regardless of where he grew up. It may be that a foreign actor embodies Cap more than an American, and I see no way in which that could hurt the movie, or the "patriotic" feel of it. A good enough actor (and a good enough script) will make you forget that they aren't really "authentic." And if it's an unknown actor, most people won't know unless they look him up, and if the movie's good, then they won't care.

I agree with your philosphy when it comes to EVERY other superhero, but I'm sticking with by my guns with Cap, it's got to be an American. And I have never once before cared about the nationality of an actors when it comes to portraying comic boook characters or anything else, but with Captain America, it must be an American.

This isn't a Captain Planet movie...

 

[NotFadeAway]

Very true. I'm tired of hearing about WWII movies, CA not included. I wouldn't mind seeing completely new conflicts depicted on the big screen.

With World War 1, you can make movies depicting the politics that led up to and caused the war, trench warfare, the Russian Revolution, the Hundred Days Offensive, the American entry into the war, the Canadian Corps, or the always handy "overview" film.

With the Korean War, an overview film would probably work best. I'd also like to see the War of 1812 or a Spanish-American War movie about the Rough Riders.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Cap actor is going to be American according to Kevin Feige. Debate is over.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I agree with your philosphy when it comes to EVERY other superhero, but I'm sticking with by my guns with Cap, it's got to be an American. And I have never once before cared about the nationality of an actors when it comes to portraying comic boook characters or anything else, but with Captain America, it must be an American.

This isn't a Captain Planet movie...

You're right, this isn't a Captain Planet movie, but it is a movie. It's a fantasy, and the job of everyone involved is to convince the audience that they've set up a believable world within the circumstances. That means hiring the best suited people for the job to make the illusion work. Limiting your casting choices to one nationality is frankly stupid, because you could be cutting out the best man for the job.

If you're truly a fan of Cap, you're going to want the best man for the job. Period. Otherwise, it's just being foolish.

Having an American actor will not increase the authenticity of the movie in any way. It's not like any of the actors will have actually lived in the era and so can better give the allusion that they really are from that era in America. Foreign actors have seen all the WWII period pieces we have, and let's be honest, that's pretty much the only way we stay in touch with the era.

Having the actor actually be an American adds nothing to the character. There is simply no point.

 

[Iron Mandarin]

As long as he LOOKS the part!

 

[M.E.H.Z.E.B]

This is a topic that has been discussed off and on for years in Captain America casting threads. I wanted to take an official poll on it.

I believe that is necessary that the actor playing Captain America be an American. I feel like the actor chosen should embody the character like Chris Reeve to Superman, and his nationality is key to CA.

True. It wouldn't be Captain America if the actor hailed from anywhere else. As you said, since the nationality of the character is in his name, it is absolutely necessary for the actor to an American.

 

[Infinity9999x]

True. It wouldn't be Captain America if the actor hailed from anywhere else. As you said, since the nationality of the character is in his name, it is absolutely necessary for the actor to an American.

Again, I see no reason why the actor's nationality matters. Would you really want to sacrifice the best man for the job simply because he isn't American? I wouldn't. I want the best actor for the character. If he's American, then great, if he isn't, oh well.

An actor's job is to create an illusion, and as long as they look the part and can handle the accent, I see no problem.

 

[Shaolin Kenobi]

Kind of strange question... as long as the accent and acting is spot on... it doesn't matter I don't think.

Isn't Bale Welsh or something?

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Imagine how Canadians feel. Wolverine is the only Canadian character that anyone knows of or cares about and he was played by an Aussie. t:

 

[chiefchirpa]

Isn't Bale Welsh or something?

Yeah, so? Batman is not a shortened name for Bat-American-Man.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Imagine how Canadians feel. Wolverine is the only Canadian character that anyone knows of or cares about and he was played by an Aussie. t:

Not many definitely knows Wolverine is Canadian until the last movie. X-Men movies never tell that clearly.

Besides Logan should be caring less about his nationality seeing all his actions are mostly in the US. He may even have ditched his citizenship.

 

[WeaponXProject]

I don't really have an explaination for mine. I just have this gut feeling, this instinct, that is telling me the actor must be American. It wouldn't feel right. It would be strange to see an American icon in a sense not be American. It's impossible to describe...

 

[broblacksteel]

just cast jensen ackles and bulk him up now.... t:

 

[Jake Cassidy]

just cast jensen ackles and bulk him up now.... t:

Hell yeah t:

or Josh Duhamel. I think he'd be a decent Cap.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I don't really have an explaination for mine. I just have this gut feeling, this instinct, that is telling me the actor must be American. It wouldn't feel right. It would be strange to see an American icon in a sense not be American. It's impossible to describe...

Abraham Lincoln is getting played by an Irishman, and it's hard to get much more American than him, besides George Washington.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well we know they want to get an american for the role. So like someone said testing will probably be first exclusive for americans then branch out to canadians, austrilans, europeans,etc..... if they dont find someone they like who is american. If they dont get an america i just hope the actor can speak and keep an american accent well. We dont have to have any slips in accent and ruin the illusion the character is american.

 

[WeaponXProject]

Abraham Lincoln is getting played by an Irishman, and it's hard to get much more American than him, besides George Washington.

I understand that. But something dear to me in modern times and WW2 times feels different. Thats a sort of biopic. Like I said I don't know how to describe it but with someone wearing red white and blue and not being from here would be wrong. I think most of the american candidates are better or suit Captain more. It's a personal thing, being american and wanting something to be proud of lately. Obama's election is the only thing I'm proud of America doing for awhile. I think its different for all people. I would think that Zorro being played by a non-hispanic would raise eyebrows. I would think a Serbian hero would have their people want a Serbian actor. And as for Bond...for him to be portrayed by someone across the pond would be a bad idea. I'm american and I wouldn't want bond to be from america.

An easier way to make my point is how I don't have any non-american actors that could/would do justice to the role.