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

[R_Hythlodeus]

I said it before and I repeat it once more: After Ben Grimm wasn´t played by a jew, I don´t care anymore. I mean, how many jewish Super heroes are there?

But everyone told me, that wasn´t important as long as the portrayal is right.

Nightcrawler, a Bavarian, was played by a Brit...(Since there are no Austrian Super Heroes, Bavarians are kind like the next best thing)

But everyone told me, that wasn´t important as long as the portrayal is right.

You know... If the guy from Slumdog Millionaire got cast as Cap, as long as the portrayal is right, it isn´t important.

 

[Infinity9999x]

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.

Bond has already been played by an Irishman, and Zorro has hardly ever been actually played by a Hispanic actor, until The Mask of Zorro (and even then, the "first" Zorro was played by Anthony Hopkins). We already have Sherlock Holmes, a Brit icon, being played by an American, and Robin Hood being played by an Aussie.

Now, I understand what you're saying. It's nice to have something to be proud about, but I want to be proud of a good movie. I won't be proud of a Cap movie with an American acted Cap if the movie blows, or if the guy playing Cap sucks. Like I've been saying, you want the best actor for the role, if he happens to be an American, then great. But if not, I really don't see it as that big of a deal. Cap's a fictional character, it's not like we're electing a president here.

 

[RogueDK]

I prefer that Cap be played by an American actor with the aptitude to pull it off; it just makes it feel more genuine to me seeing that the character himself is of that nationality.

I'm sure that the producers won't be so limited in their search though...

 

[WeaponXProject]

You know... If the guy from Slumdog Millionaire got cast as Cap, as long as the portrayal is right, it isn´t important.

I get your point but let's not be ridiculous here.

Bond has already been played by an Irishman, and Zorro has hardly ever been actually played by a Hispanic actor, until The Mask of Zorro (and even then, the "first" Zorro was played by Anthony Hopkins). We already have Sherlock Holmes, a Brit icon, being played by an American, and Robin Hood being played by an Aussie.

Now, I understand what you're saying. It's nice to have something to be proud about, but I want to be proud of a good movie. I won't be proud of a Cap movie with an American acted Cap if the movie blows, or if the guy playing Cap sucks. Like I've been saying, you want the best actor for the role, if he happens to be an American, then great. But if not, I really don't see it as that big of a deal. Cap's a fictional character, it's not like we're electing a president here.

I didn't know all that about Zorro but I did know that about Bond. I guess American's take it more personally or atleast I do...no offense.

So who being non-Americans are legitimate Cap contestants? I can't think of many besides a few that were suggested that were from Canada and then Sam Worthington from Aussie land but I don't think he's a good actor yet at all so...

 

[Infinity9999x]

I get your point but let's not be ridiculous here.

I agree with that. The actor has to appear to be the same race as Cap.

I didn't know all that about Zorro but I did know that about Bond. I guess American's take it more personally or atleast I do...no offense.

So who being non-Americans are legitimate Cap contestants? I can't think of many besides a few that were suggested that were from Canada and then Sam Worthington from Aussie land but I don't think he's a good actor yet at all so...

I'm American myself. However, one thing I am is an actor, and I find it insulting to other actors to deprive them of a job, especially if they're the best candidate for the role, simply because of the area they were born in. It's their job to appear as other people.

And really, I don't know if I could give you a good choice, I'm just disagreeing with the basic idea of closing the doors to any non-American actor. I stand by the idea of picking the best possible person for the job, American or not. If they happen to be American, it's just a small plus in my book.

 

[WeaponXProject]

I agree with that. The actor has to appear to be the same race as Cap.




I'm American myself. However, one thing I am is an actor, and I find it insulting to other actors to deprive them of a job, especially if they're the best candidate for the role, simply because of the area they were born in. It's their job to appear as other people.

That's pretty cool that your an actor.

I see your point on eliminating candidates when it is your job to become a character. I'm just proud that there is a character named Captain America and he represents one of the last true things we were proud to be involved in. This movie is more than just a character to me. As much as I know where you stand and respect that...I still have to go with my picks and they are all American.

 

[Infinity9999x]

That's pretty cool that your an actor.

I see your point on eliminating candidates when it is your job to become a character. I'm just proud that there is a character named Captain America and he represents one of the last true things we were proud to be involved in. This movie is more than just a character to me. As much as I know where you stand and respect that...I still have to go with my picks and they are all American.

And I have no problem with that. Honestly, I would love it if we got a great American actor to play Cap.

Cap really is a hard character to cast. He has to embody the perfect version of the "perfect" man from the 1940's. But that actor has to do it in way so he doesn't seem like a sterotype, and still seem believable.

 

[chiefchirpa]

To equate Captain America to franchises like Batman, Zorro, Sherlock Holmes where the character has nothing to do with national ideals is just poor understanding of the franchise. Okay it's a fictional character but there's a rational reason why Marvel confirm the actor has to be American. It's their property so they know the importance of getting an American to play the lead role. Think about it - Superman can have American actors consecutively, why can't Captain America who wears the flag instead of holding it in a pole?

I'm not American, BTW.

 

[R_Hythlodeus]

I get your point but let's not be ridiculous here.

All I´m saying is: It happend before, it will happen again

 

[Infinity9999x]

All I´m saying is: It happend before, it will happen again

Well the problem with your example is that the actor you mentioned couldn't pull off being the right race that Cap is. The other actors you mentioned could all pass as the stated race for their characters.

To equate Captain America to franchises like Batman, Zorro, Sherlock Holmes where the character has nothing to do with national ideals is just poor understanding of the franchise. Okay it's a fictional character but there's a rational reason why Marvel confirm the actor has to be American. It's their property so they know the importance of getting an American to play the lead role. Think about it - Superman can have American actors consecutively, why can't Captain America who wears the flag instead of holding it in a pole?

I'm not American, BTW.

Captain America stands for the ideals our country held over 60 years ago. Being American doesn't mean diddly in understanding those ideals. None of the American actors who could play him grew up in that time, and any foreign actor will know about as much about those ideals as an American actor. Why? Think about how we all learned about that time, and the answer is: Movies. We hold most of our pre-conceived stereotypes and notions about the 1940's from the vast amount of period films that have come out over the years.

Being an American now in no way, acting wise, helps you prepare for getting in touch with the role of Captain America, simply because the America we have grown up in today is as different from America in the 1940's as another country is to us now.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well the easiest thing the actor could do is watch 40s films, do research on the times, and talk to vets of the 40s.

 

[Infinity9999x]

Well the easiest thing the actor could do is watch 40s films, do research on the times, and talk to vets of the 40s.

Exactly. And unfortunately, the number of vets from the 40's is rapidly declining.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Captain America stands for the ideals our country held over 60 years ago. Being American doesn't mean diddly in understanding those ideals. None of the American actors who could play him grew up in that time, and any foreign actor will know about as much about those ideals as an American actor. Why? Think about how we all learned about that time, and the answer is: Movies. We hold most of our pre-conceived stereotypes and notions about the 1940's from the vast amount of period films that have come out over the years.

Being an American now in no way, acting wise, helps you prepare for getting in touch with the role of Captain America, simply because the America we have grown up in today is as different from America in the 1940's as another country is to us now.

American actor has some advantages over their foreign counterpart:

1. He has older relatives living or dead who have experienced the period in America, and told him stories about it.

2. He was taught American history during Great Depression/WW2 in grade school. Unless the foreigner is a history buff he won't have the same history lesson that the American actor has gotten.

3. The American can turn into a deeply patriotic mode (double edge sword here because it can break him into oversentimental, but I'm hoping it will be a positive influence) to do the role. I doubt the foreigner can truly emulate it, unless he's waiting for green card (kidding).



Then Marvel has some issues to consider:

1. Picking a foreigner will inevitably create controversy:
a. Entertainment Media will mock the actor as "Captain (insert his nation here)".
b. People will groan & moan on how a foreigner acting as literally Captain America. Especially old guys BTW who had grown up reading the comics.

2. Are American actors are so unskilled acting-wise Marvel has to choose the alternative?

3. If DC/WB can have almost all American actors as Kal El, why can't Captain America? Rumored Henry Cavill was not chosen as Superman even if the last Superman movie was clearly not the 1st.
This Captain America was the "1st"; Marvel will do best to make the first Steve Rogers the perfect one. I couldn't care less for the next Steve Rogers BTW but this is the Steve Rogers people will look up if the franchise takes off in motion picture form.


Marvel/Kevin Feige has confirmed Steve Rogers has to be an American. It's no longer a speculation so I don't think there will be any doubt Steve Rogers will be an American actor unless there are very, very special cases.

 

[RogueDK]

American actor has some advantages over their foreign counterpart:
1. He has older relatives living or dead who have experienced the period in America, and told him stories about it.
2. He was taught American history during Great Depression/WW2 in grade school. Unless the foreigner is a history buff he won't have the same history lesson that the American actor has gotten.
3. The American can turn into a deeply patriotic mode (double edge sword here because it can break him into oversentimental, but I'm hoping it will be a positive influence) to do the role. I doubt the foreigner can truly emulate it, unless he's waiting for green card (kidding).

Then Marvel has some issues to consider:
1. Picking a foreigner will inevitably create controversy
a. Entertainment Media will mock the actor as "Captain (insert his nation here)".
b. People will groan & moan on how a foreigner acting as literally Captain America. Especially old guys BTW who had grown up reading the comics.
2. Are American actors are so unskilled acting-wise Marvel has to choose the alternative?
3. If Superman can have almost all American actors as Kal El, why can't Captain America? Rumored Henry Cavill was not chosen as Superman even if the last Superman movie was clearly not the 1st.
This Captain America was the "1st"; Marvel will do best to make the first Steve Rogers the perfect one. I couldn't care less for the next Steve Rogers BTW but this is the Steve Rogers people will look up if the franchise takes off in motion picture form.


Marvel/Kevin Feige has confirmed Steve Rogers has to be Captain America. It's no longer a speculation so I don't think there will be any doubt Steve Rogers will be an American actor unless there are very, very special cases.

Good points.

 

[Infinity9999x]

American actor has some advantages over their foreign counterpart:

1. He has older relatives living or dead who have experienced the period in America, and told him stories about it.

2. He was taught American history during Great Depression/WW2 in grade school. Unless the foreigner is a history buff he won't have the same history lesson that the American actor has gotten.

3. The American can turn into a deeply patriotic mode (double edge sword here because it can break him into oversentimental, but I'm hoping it will be a positive influence) to do the role. I doubt the foreigner can truly emulate it, unless he's waiting for green card (kidding).

The only point that really helps is the first one. Think back about all the history you learned in grade school. Remember any specific examples of it? Most likely not, because grade schools give you the bare minimum of history. They hit the major points and move on, and since WWII was a world war, most of the major events that happened in it will be the same events other countries learned in grade school (or the equivalent) as well.

And anybody can go into a deeply patriotic mode, a foreign actor could as well. All you would have to do get deeply patriotic about your own country and then carry that emotion across when you're acting. It's like when you're in an extremely emotional scene. If you have to cry in a scene, you don't cry by making yourself think about what's actually happened in the play/movie, you draw upon your own experiences in life and carry that emotion over into the lines you say. It's the same in this case.

Then Marvel has some issues to consider:

1. Picking a foreigner will inevitably create controversy:
a. Entertainment Media will mock the actor as "Captain (insert his nation here)".
b. People will groan & moan on how a foreigner acting as literally Captain America. Especially old guys BTW who had grown up reading the comics.

2. Are American actors are so unskilled acting-wise Marvel has to choose the alternative?

3. If DC/WB can have almost all American actors as Kal El, why can't Captain America? Rumored Henry Cavill was not chosen as Superman even if the last Superman movie was clearly not the 1st.
This Captain America was the "1st"; Marvel will do best to make the first Steve Rogers the perfect one. I couldn't care less for the next Steve Rogers BTW but this is the Steve Rogers people will look up if the franchise takes off in motion picture form.

Yes, some people will get angry about the possibility of a foreign actor playing Cap, but I can guarantee one thing, if the movie is good, no one will b*tch and moan again. And the number of people who read comics make up and incredibly small portion of the movie going audience. Even if all the people who read Cap comics boycotted the film and didn't go, it wouldn't even put a dent in the BO.

And you obviously haven't been reading my past posts. I'm not saying Cap should be played by a foreign actor. Far from it. All I have been saying, is this:

That the BEST ACTOR for the job should be cast. Regardless of his nationality.

That means the actor has to be able to be able to appear the same race as Captain America, sound like Captain America, and believably portray Cap on screen. If a Brit plays him and can pull off the accent, and does a damn fine job of acting the part, then pick him. If the best man for the job is Aussie, pick him. If the best man for the job is American, then by all means, pick him too.

I have never said that I think there aren't any American actors who can play the role. In fact, I can't even give you a foreign contender who I'd like to play the role. As an actor, I'm simply opposed to the idea that we should limit our casting choices to one nationality, when you could have another foreign actor who could do a better job.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Yes, some people will get angry about the possibility of a foreign actor playing Cap, but I can guarantee one thing, if the movie is good, no one will b*tch and moan again. And the number of people who read comics make up and incredibly small portion of the movie going audience. Even if all the people who read Cap comics boycotted the film and didn't go, it wouldn't even put a dent in the BO.

And you obviously haven't been reading my past posts. I'm not saying Cap should be played by a foreign actor. Far from it. All I have been saying, is this:

That the BEST ACTOR for the job should be cast. Regardless of his nationality.

That means the actor has to be able to be able to appear the same race as Captain America, sound like Captain America, and believably portray Cap on screen. If a Brit plays him and can pull off the accent, and does a damn fine job of acting the part, then pick him. If the best man for the job is Aussie, pick him. If the best man for the job is American, then by all means, pick him too.

I have never said that I think there aren't any American actors who can play the role. In fact, I can't even give you a foreign contender who I'd like to play the role. As an actor, I'm simply opposed to the idea that we should limit our casting choices to one nationality, when you could have another foreign actor who could do a better job.

Well Marvel have certainly disagree with your maxim: this is their property, a fledgling one and they obviously want to avoid some controversy to make it successful. Good American actors are plentiful so it's not like Marvel want to turn to the other "buckets" to find the candidate when the American "bucket" will certainly suffice.

If you can find a good research publication saying American actors lack skill compared to international actors then I would certainly consider your maxim but as it is now I hold the notion that good actors are plentiful everywhere including in the US, and American actor holds some pluses for this role. So why bother consider the international candidate when the American actor supposedly has the same skill, entails less controversy, and certainly has a big head start of knowing everything Americana? Especially if some international endeavors have been far than stellar - like Sam Worthington had difficulty speaking with consistent American accent in Terminator, so did Clive Owen in early films.

Oh, Marvel get that. Just for this one role, it's going to be American-only. Don't care with the other dozens starting from Ant Man to the Wasp. Perhaps the more international the merrier for the other roles.

 

[Infinity9999x]

Well Marvel have certainly disagree with your maxim: this is their property, a fledgling one and they obviously want to avoid some controversy to make it successful. Good American actors are plentiful so it's not like Marvel want to turn to the other "buckets" to find the candidate when the American "bucket" will certainly suffice.

If you can find a good research publication saying American actors lack skill compared to international actors then I would certainly consider your maxim but as it is now I hold the notion that good actors are plentiful everywhere including in the US, and American actor holds some pluses for this role. So why bother consider the international candidate when the American actor supposedly has the same skill, entails less controversy, and certainly has a big head start of knowing everything Americana? Especially if some international endeavors have been far than stellar - like Sam Worthington had difficulty speaking with consistent American accent in Terminator, so did Clive Owen in early films.

Oh, Marvel get that. Just for this one role, it's going to be American-only. Don't care with the other dozens starting from Ant Man to the Wasp. Perhaps the more international the merrier for the other roles.

....Have you been reading what I've saying at all? I have not, once, in any of my posts, indicated that American actors have less skill, or that an American actor should not play Captain America.

I have only said "I want the best man for the job."

That means, whoever marvel interviews for Cap, and whoever they deem to have the best audition, should get the job.

I want the best actor, period. I don't care if he's from America or not. If the best actor for Cap is from America, then that's great. If he's from Russia, that's fine too.

Bottom line: I want to see a good movie. That means you have to have good actors (among other things). Which means I want the best actor they can find to play Captain America.

I have NOT said, ANYWHERE, in ANY of my posts that I think foreign actors would be better for the role. I've only said, don't discount foreign actors, because if a foreign actor comes in and knocks the role out of the park, then I want him.

 

[chiefchirpa]

....Have you been reading what I've saying at all? I have not, once, in any of my posts, indicated that American actors have less skill, or that an American actor should not play Captain America.

I have only said "I want the best man for the job."

That means, whoever marvel interviews for Cap, and whoever they deem to have the best audition, should get the job.

I want the best actor, period. I don't care if he's from America or not. If the best actor for Cap is from America, then that's great. If he's from Russia, that's fine too.

Bottom line: I want to see a good movie. That means you have to have good actors (among other things). Which means I want the best actor they can find to play Captain America.

I have NOT said, ANYWHERE, in ANY of my posts that I think foreign actors would be better for the role. I've only said, don't discount foreign actors, because if a foreign actor comes in and knocks the role out of the park, then I want him.

I understand it from the beginning, that you prefer American actor if it be but still receive all the candidates for around the world. In short you don't trust from a pool of just Americans there would come a great finding. I on the other hand shortlist the candidates to be only American because I'm confident that there will be an American fitting to be Steve Rogers so why the extra search?

Marvel is thinking the same with the American only Steve Rogers.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I understand it from the beginning, that you prefer American actor if it be but still receive all the candidates for around the world. In short you don't trust from a pool of just Americans there would come a great finding. I on the other hand shortlist the candidates to be only American because I'm confident that there will be an American fitting to be Steve Rogers so why the extra search?

Marvel is thinking the same with the American only Steve Rogers.

Again, you seem hell bent on putting words in my mouth. I have never indicated that I have thought that American actors are unworthy of playing the part. It would be a bit silly, being an American actor myself.

I have only said, I want the best man for the job. My stance has always been that I simply do not care what the nationality of the actor playing Captain America is as long as he acts the part well.

Before Marvel came out and confirmed that they would only look for American actors, I was assuming that they would have a large number of actors audition, and my stance on that has simply been this: if the person with the best audition happened to be born somewhere other than America, I would want him hired anyway, because he was the one who acted the character the best.

I don't understand where you've gotten the impression that I don't trust American actors, or why, but I have never said, nor implied that in my posts.

 

[chiefchirpa]

Again, you seem hell bent on putting words in my mouth. I have never indicated that I have thought that American actors are unworthy of playing the part. It would be a bit silly, being an American actor myself.

Because if you were trusting the big pool of American actors (who are not necessarily blond because you can dye the hair or not necessarily built because you can train the guy) will check all the acting requirements, you'd bypass the international actors. Just like American companies which regularly post openings for US citizens/green card holders only as opposed to getting international applicants because they know there are qualified people in the US. You don't understand the implication of Marvel choosing a foreigner means there are no capable US actors for Captain America when there are supposed to be many.

 

[Aesop Rocks]

I don't care where he's from as long as he's a damn good actor.

 

[Infinity9999x]

Because if you were trusting the big pool of American actors (who are not necessarily blond because you can dye the hair or not necessarily built because you can train the guy) will check all the acting requirements, you'd bypass the international actors. Just like American companies which regularly post openings for US citizens/green card holders only as opposed to getting international applicants because they know there are qualified people in the US. You don't understand the implication of Marvel choosing a foreigner means there are no capable US actors for Captain America when there are supposed to be many.

That's completely flawed logic. If Marvel picked a foreign actor it would only mean that out of all the people they had audition, he did the best. What you fail to grasp is the nature of how a film works. A studio only has so long to cast, Marvel doesn't have the time to have every single actor in the US who could play Cap audition for them. They would select a group of candidates they deem most likely to be a good fit for the role and go from there.

Now, had they had open auditions, and in those auditions were a few foreign actors, and from all the candidates a foreign actor was picked, it simply means that the said foreign actor was best for the role. It by no means implies that Marvel is saying there are no capable actors in the US to play Cap. It simply means they picked the one person who did best at auditions.

 

[Webhead2006]

I think there is plently american known/unknown actors they can tap into.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I think there is plently american known/unknown actors they can tap into.

I'm not saying there isn't. And really, now that Marvel has confirmed that they are going only American, this discussion is pretty much moot.

However, my whole point was that I simply wanted the best guy for the job, and had that guy turned out to be foreign, I would have been fine with that.

I'm not pushing for a foreign actor. In fact, I can't even think of a foreign actor I'd like to play the part to be honest, but I'm just standing by the fact that I want the best people possible involved in this project, regardless of where they grew up.

 

[Anubis]

Communist!