First Avenger OFFICIAL: Hugo Weaving is Red Skull

[SuperFerret]

Wasn't the skull originally a mask and then due to some sort of accident (after years of villainy, as it was never his motivation) was disfigured to look all Red Skully?

 

[Alchemyst]

I'd go for a red mask reminiscent of the skulls on nazi uniforms, which covers a super soldier serum prototype disfigurement. Just so you can have a reveal and save on time making up the actor. I figure the nazis would want to hide the fact they they botched their attempt somewhat. The mask allows a counter point between Cap and the skull one inspiring through hope the other fear.

That sounds great!!!!!!

 

[S.A.A.D.]

I'm hoping for both to happen,in the movie that is,he starts off wearing a mask and then has a freak accident.

 

[Spider-Vader]

I wouldn't mind either way.

Though, it'd be easily explained why he wears a mask. He's a Nazi leader & those guys were all kooky.

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Have Red Skull's origin run parallel to Cap's at the start of the movie. That would be the best way, I think.

Just have him be a higher-up soldier corrupted and driven mad by some deviated form of the SS serum...

 

[Webhead2006]

did we need this thread, we got red skull threads to talk about it. though for me i dont mind if he is masked or face mutated.

 

[Wesley Dodds]

did we need this thread, we got red skull threads to talk about it. though for me i dont mind if he is masked or face mutated.

That's the closest i've ever seen you be critical of ANYTHING, Webhead.

I'm almost scared...

 

[Webhead2006]

lol wesley i was just saying we have talked about the whole mask/real skull head in the red skull thread, and possibly another.

 

[Silvermoth]

Where's the poll option?

It probably dissappeared due to the lag in the hype recently. The same thing happened to me not two days hence.

 

[Slipeor]

My votes is for masked. I think a disfigured skull face is too campy, although the recent Ultimate Red Skull idea was pretty cool, though I kept wondering why it didn't get all scabby and stuff as it healed.

 

[gdw]

I just wanted o clarify what I mean with regards to his being disfigured in relation to his character.

In no way was I suggesting that it be connected to his motivation, so much as it was a way in which he was cursed by his nature, or cursed with a visual representation of his nature. Of course, given his nature, I am not sure he would consider it a curse. Especially if he started with the mask willingly, then perhaps disfigured himself on purpose to give himself a permanent "mask."

Similarly, I don't think it should be played in any way to make him a sympathetic villain. He's a freakin' Nazi. There's no sympathy there. Just like the pope.

 

[That-Guy]

Mangled. My fear is that a mask would just look stupid (a la Green Goblin in Spider-Man), whereas an actual skull-esque disfigurement would make him look super-creepy, if done well.

 

[GhostPoet]

Mangled. Infact, I'd like him skinless. Just red muscle possibly. the mask...I don't know...I think a mask would come off too much like power-rangers.

 

[Demon Within]

Mask. Its scarier because when he takes it off he can be anyone and no one knows its him. gives him an advantage.

 

[Webhead2006]

well even if he wore a mask, whos to say it would be a armor/plastic looking thing like spidey 1 green goblin. it could end up being more form fitting faceless mask type of deal.

 

[Doc Ock]

I think it might be better to wear a mask, but I think it could work either way.

 

[The Guard]

Both.

 

[Saint]

I prefer it as a disfiguration. The explanation that he wore a mask to to spook people as a Nazi symbol doesn't sit well with me, on account of a guy in a skull mask not being scary, and the reality that the swastika on his arm was a more powerful symbol than the skull mask could ever be. Still, I suppose there could be a way to make it work out there somewhere.

 

[TheLongestDay]

I prefer it as a disfiguration. The explanation that he wore a mask to to spook people as a Nazi symbol doesn't sit well with me, on account of a guy in a skull mask not being scary, and the reality that the swastika on his arm was a more powerful symbol than the skull mask could ever be. Still, I suppose there could be a way to make it work out there somewhere.

well said

 

[The Question]

I say go for the mask. I'm imagining something like a red, wooden opera mask in the form of a skull. Simply have him be a theatrical sadist who wore it as an intimidation tactic, as well as making it so enemies wouldn't recognize his face when he's not on duty. I understand the above point of the swastika on his arm being all the intimidation power he needs, but the SS (and I am assuming he'll be a special operative of the SS) was made up of some especially violent sociopaths, and some of them strove to go above and beyond in their depravity. Look at Amon Goeth. He didn't just strive to have the Nazi party, or even the SS be a symbol of fear. He strove for Amon Goeth to be a symbol of fear. I see the Skull as having the same mentality.


Besides. Think about it. Hugo Weaving is one of the few big time film stars who has the skill and is completely willing to spend a large amount of a film behind a completely concealing mask. That was probably a factor in his casting.

 

[Spider-Vader]

Mangled is the way to go. It could make him look iconic & scary. I want Marvel to finally have a villain that could become a movie icon. Red Skull might just be that villain, if done right of course.

 

[Webhead2006]

for me i said it before i wouldnt mind for him to be masked or deformed face. heck i could see them doing both.

 

[Norm3]

I say mask.

 

[Iron_Stark]

Hugo Weaving just got through saying he's going to be wearing prosthetics.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Hugo Weaving just got through saying he's going to be wearing prosthetics.

Great news, that is what I was hoping for.