Should the actor portraying Captain America be an American?

[sirrobert]

You know what Darklord Dave you're right, the Rock can act.

 

[Biohazard]

How bout Randy Couture? He's already been labeled Captain America

I noticed he's in the Scorpion King II, has anyone seen it that can tell us about his acting in it?

You know what Darklord Dave you're right, the Rock can act.

I think the Rock is great,he's one of those actors that can be in an action movie or a comedy and pull it off.

 

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Not to sound like a douche, but I think it would be insulting to get a foreigner to play Captain AMERICA. Seriously, Wolverine and Batman are one thing, but the living embodiment of the American Spirit is something else. I would rather have an American like The Rock play him than a blond haired, blue eyed person from another country. If we as Americans don't have anybody good enough from our own country to play Captain America, then something isn't right.

Honestly, although they may be a little old, my top choices are Aaron Eckhart and Anthony Michael Hall.

 

[sirrobert]

Dr.Mirakle32, I don't think you are being unreasonable at all about your preference. It would odd, not to mention ironic on so many levels, for a foreigner to play Captain America. Not to say that I would protest such an occurence but truth be told looking outside the States for an actor would not be my first choice.

 

[DarthNeil]

Not to sound like a douche, but I think it would be insulting to get a foreigner to play Captain AMERICA. Seriously, Wolverine and Batman are one thing, but the living embodiment of the American Spirit is something else. I would rather have an American like The Rock play him than a blond haired, blue eyed person from another country. If we as Americans don't have anybody good enough from our own country to play Captain America, then something isn't right.

Honestly, although they may be a little old, my top choices are Aaron Eckhart and Anthony Michael Hall.

I'm sorry I just can't stop laughing . You do realize that it'll be a movie based on a cartoon comic character?...

I hope they get Roberto Benigni to play Cap... JUST for the fanboy reaction.

Seriously, Cap is probably my favourite (spelled with a "U"-- the irony of that is quite deliciously palpable) Marvel character and I want the best ACTOR to play the part. I could care less if he's from Zimbabwe.

But then I'm Canadian so my world view might be a little different. Now this guy...

Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling only-- no US actors need apply.

 

[sirrobert]

I'm sorry I just can't stop laughing . You do realize that it'll be a movie based on a cartoon comic character?...

I hope they get Roberto Benigni to play Cap... JUST for the fanboy reaction.

Seriously, Cap is probably my favourite (spelled with a "U"-- the irony of that is quite deliciously palpable) Marvel character and I want the best ACTOR to play the part. I could care less if he's from Zimbabwe.

But then I'm Canadian so my world view might be a little different. Now this guy...

Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling only-- no US actors need apply.

Darthneil,

I am going to relate a story to you. I remember around '02 buying the first issue of Captain America as written by John Nieber and John Cassaday. The story opens with Cap fighting the Nazis and then fast forwards to a clear September day as Steve Rogers runs through Manhattan and is smothered by clouds of dust. He trys what he can to help but to no avail. What has just happened is beyond Roger's ability to control or even contain.

That night Rogers strolls along the street in another burrough -- I forget which one -- deep in thought and reflection, noticing an Arab man closing shop with his son. All of sudden he finds two caucasian youths accosting him simply because of his ethnicity. It's the night after the terrorist attacks and some Americans thirst for retribution in any way they can imagine. Rogers senses this and stops the two youths from doing any harm to the man or his son. He tells the youths that he knows how they are hurting but lashing out is not the way. The youths then walk away while Rogers comforts the Arab man and his son.

Reading those pages brought tears to my eyes. For I knew that this was not real and that I was reading the exploits of a mere "cartoon character." Steve Rogers as far as I know does not exist.

 

[sirrobert]

As I was saying Rogers does not exist. But that doesn't diminish what the character embodies to me. In my eyes Captain America poses as a four color blister card of what America could be: a protector of the oppressed and downtrodden, a voice for the marginalized and "the other " and a beacon of hope for those who have are in the wilderness of paranoia, xenophobia and hatred toward those who are different.
To be sure America is a land of immigrants and where identity here is as transient as the day is long. The local UAW asks people with foreign cars to park in a side lot even though American Car companies might have their cars assembled elsewhere. The female all-round gymnastics champion in this year's Olympic Games happens to be an American by naturalization. So if Captain America is portrayed by a foreigner it would not surprise or startle me now.

Still Captain America means more to me than some mere "cartoon comic character". He is an ideal that I wish that I could attain but perhaps never will achieve. Thus if an American were to play him then it would have some meaning for me.

 

[DarthNeil]

sirrobert,

I understand what you're saying-- but even as an ideal, he's a fictional character. If I can relate something very quickly to you. I'm a Scottish Canadian. I've lived half my life in Scotland and half in Canada. Half of my family lives in Scotland while the other half lives in Canada. I truly am a son of two nations. There are two very important real life heroes from Scotland who did live, did love, did fight, and did die.

One was played by a 6 ' 4" Irish actor by the name of Liam Neeson (Robert Roy MacGregor--better known as Rob Roy-- was in fact quite small)

and the other was played by an Australian by the name of Mel Gibson (and I can say for a fact that William Wallace was no Aussie--and looked nothing like the Lethal Weapon)

So if Hollywood casting is any indication, I don't think your fictional character's "American" importance is going to come into play. They'll cast who they want. An Aussie (oy oy oy), a Kiwi (maybe a tribal dance before taking on the Red Skull?), a Scot (THIS IS SPARTA!!), or a Canuck and I'm afraid that in the end you'll just have to accept it. It's called acting and willing suspension of disbelief. If they do cast--- a foreigner--- and that muddies the water for you and you refuse attend the film in protest well that's OK. It'll just mean more popcorn for the rest of us.

All light fun... I want the best Cap possible on the screen. Whoever that is. (I still say a Canuck'd do the job best... Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling... or maybe a good Scot-- Gerard Butler)

Edit: Liam Neeson is actually only 6' 4".

 

[Agent0028]

Great examples to bring the point home Neil.

 

[Dr.Mirakle32]

sirrobert,

I understand what you're saying-- but even as an ideal, he's a fictional character. If I can relate something very quickly to you. I'm a Scottish Canadian. I've lived half my life in Scotland and half in Canada. Half of my family lives in Scotland while the other half lives in Canada. I truly am a son of two nations. There are two very important real life heroes from Scotland who did live, did love, did fight, and did die.

One was played by a 6 ' 4" Irish actor by the name of Liam Neeson (Robert Roy MacGregor--better known as Rob Roy-- was in fact quite small)

and the other was played by an Australian by the name of Mel Gibson (and I can say for a fact that William Wallace was no Aussie--and looked nothing like the Lethal Weapon)

So if Hollywood casting is any indication, I don't think your fictional character's "American" importance is going to come into play. They'll cast who they want. An Aussie (oy oy oy), a Kiwi (maybe a tribal dance before taking on the Red Skull?), a Scot (THIS IS SPARTA!!), or a Canuck and I'm afraid that in the end you'll just have to accept it. It's called acting and willing suspension of disbelief. If they do cast--- a foreigner--- and that muddies the water for you and you refuse attend the film in protest well that's OK. It'll just mean more popcorn for the rest of us.

All light fun... I want the best Cap possible on the screen. Whoever that is. (I still say a Canuck'd do the job best... Ryan Reynolds or Ryan Gosling... or maybe a good Scot-- Gerard Butler)

Edit: Liam Neeson is actually only 6' 4".

Were any of those people called "Captain Scotland"? Okay then.

Ideally, real Scots should have been cast. But those were both American productions, hence the casting of popular American stars. On the other hand, CAPTAIN AMERICA is an American production, about a truly American character. So why go out of their way to get a foreigner?

 

[sirrobert]

Darthneil,


Those are wonderful examples of actors playing different nationalities. I appreciate your sharing and I have nothing to argue about there. But if you had read the rest of my two posts, not portions of it, you would have noticed the point that I made about America being a land of immigrants. If you had read that part of the posts then I think you would realize that I would be more than willing to accept a actor who is not from the states to play the role. I would not cry myself to sleep or sob into a hanky of the stars and stripes or even protest outside the premiere of "the First Avenger." As a matter of fact I'll be one of the first patrons to buy a ticket regardless of the nationality or daresay, caliber, of the actor in question. And yet again an American would be my preference if I choosed. But as you said so bluffly in your post it aint up to me.

By the way If the term foreigner offends then I apologize for it. Was trying to be more direct and less euphemistic with my points.

 

[DarthNeil]

Were any of those people called "Captain Scotland"? Okay then.

Ideally, real Scots should have been cast. But those were both American productions, hence the casting of popular American stars. On the other hand, CAPTAIN AMERICA is an American production, about a truly American character. So why go out of their way to get a foreigner?

You are 100% accurate in your assessment that William Wallace was not called "Captain Scotland". That completely dismisses the point of this REAL LIFE NATIONAL HERO being played by an Australian.

Darthneil,


Those are wonderful examples of actors playing different nationalities. I appreciate your sharing and I have nothing to argue about there. But if you had read the rest of my two posts, not portions of it, you would have noticed the point that I made about America being a land of immigrants. If you had read that part of the posts then I think you would realize that I would be more than willing to accept a actor who is not from the states to play the role. I would not cry myself to sleep or sob into a hanky of the stars and stripes or even protest outside the premiere of "the First Avenger." As a matter of fact I'll be one of the first patrons to buy a ticket regardless of the nationality or daresay, caliber, of the actor in question. And yet again an American would be my preference if I choosed. But as you said so bluffly in your post it aint up to me.

By the way If the term foreigner offends then I apologize for it. Was trying to be more direct and less euphemistic with my points.

That's dismissive and condescending-- Let's keep this light and/or at least civil please, we're talking about a movie where a guy throws a shield and will possibly be running around in an outfit that'll raise a few eyebrows.

The part will be played by the best person that they can get-- just as they hired a superb Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. If there's one thing that the new Marvel Studio has shown us is that their casting decisions have been bang on. What I don't get is the flag waving and chest thumping of how it's an American Icon when Captain America is not real. If it was someone in America's history who did something of utmost importance in the formation of your nation then yes, I'd say that it'd be pretty hard for an American audience to watch knowing that the guy playing the part spoke with an accent... Kind of like an Aussie playing a Scottish Icon...but then his name wasn't Captain Scotland so that doesn't count.

Let's just agree that we hope that they cast the best person so that Captain America will come alive on the big screen and that his impact on a new generation (promoting the ideals that the character stands for) will be a major one.

 

[Agent0028]

Darthneil,


Those are wonderful examples of actors playing different nationalities. I appreciate your sharing and I have nothing to argue about there. But if you had read the rest of my two posts, not portions of it, you would have noticed the point that I made about America being a land of immigrants. If you had read that part of the posts then I think you would realize that I would be more than willing to accept a actor who is not from the states to play the role. I would not cry myself to sleep or sob into a hanky of the stars and stripes or even protest outside the premiere of "the First Avenger." As a matter of fact I'll be one of the first patrons to buy a ticket regardless of the nationality or daresay, caliber, of the actor in question. And yet again an American would be my preference if I choosed. But as you said so bluffly in your post it aint up to me.

By the way If the term foreigner offends then I apologize for it. Was trying to be more direct and less euphemistic with my points.

I say we protest outside the premiere if they don't change that name.

 

[DarthNeil]

I say we protest outside the premiere if they don't change that name.

Remember though that the movie's supposed to be coming out just ahead of the Avengers movie so they want that title to inform the masses who don't read the comics of the connection... I can ignore it if the movie is on par with what they gave us for Iron Man.

 

[Agent0028]

I know, but it still sucks as a title. They can do a commercial touting the movie as a prequel to the avengers or something.

 

[DarthNeil]

I know, but it still sucks as a title. They can do a commercial touting the movie as a prequel to the avengers or something.

You haven't heard the title for the second Iron Man yet then I guess...

Iron-Man II: The Second Avenger...




I kid.

 

[Agent0028]

But what are they gonna do about Hulk and Thor? Hulk 2: Avenger #3 and Thor: Avengers Assembled?

 

[Dr.FeelGood]

But what are they gonna do about Hulk and Thor? Hulk 2: Avenger #3 and Thor: Avengers Assembled?

Personally i'd expect the titles to be on par with one of the greatest sequals NEVER made;


Spaceballs 2 : The Quest For More Money!

 

[sirrobert]

You are 100% accurate in your assessment that William Wallace was not called "Captain Scotland". That completely dismisses the point of this REAL LIFE NATIONAL HERO being played by an Australian.



That's dismissive and condescending-- Let's keep this light and/or at least civil please, we're talking about a movie where a guy throws a shield and will possibly be running around in an outfit that'll raise a few eyebrows.

The part will be played by the best person that they can get-- just as they hired a superb Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. If there's one thing that the new Marvel Studio has shown us is that their casting decisions have been bang on. What I don't get is the flag waving and chest thumping of how it's an American Icon when Captain America is not real. If it was someone in America's history who did something of utmost importance in the formation of your nation then yes, I'd say that it'd be pretty hard for an American audience to watch knowing that the guy playing the part spoke with an accent... Kind of like an Aussie playing a Scottish Icon...but then his name wasn't Captain Scotland so that doesn't count.

Let's just agree that we hope that they cast the best person so that Captain America will come alive on the big screen and that his impact on a new generation (promoting the ideals that the character stands for) will be a major one.

Darthneil,

In what way was my previous post condescending or dimissive? I only pointed out claims in my argument that you failed to consider or remember.

I think my only failing in my post in your view was that I actually regard fiction with some credence. Captain America has never existed as Wallace or Rob Roy did. But that doesn't diminish what the character stands for. But if that is the case for you then you might as well dimiss Hamlet, Odyessus or Huckleberry Finn for that matter.

 

[sirrobert]

As for "keeping things light" such was not my intent when I opened this thread. I want really to debate and discuss a topic that I have questioned with some degree of critical thinking or discernment and perhaps achieve a mote of elucidation in the process. If this too serious then I am sorry. I am American after all. Irony and satire fall on deaf ears where I'm from. Unless there is ribaldry involved or an obivious punchline to be had the humor ain't worth the time.