Joe Johnston to Direct Captain America!

[_Bolt_]

Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo) has signed a deal to direct First Avenger: Captain America, Marvel Studios' take on its classic comic book character, says The Hollywood Reporter. Marvel's Kevin Feige is producing.

No writers are on board, but the studio, which is hearing pitches, expects to hire shortly.

"This is a guy who designed the vehicles for 'Star Wars,' who storyboarded the convoy action sequence for 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' " Feige said. "From 'Rocketeer' to 'October Sky' to 'The Wolfman,' you can look at pieces of his movies and see how they lead to this one."

Created in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon for Timely Comics, Captain America is the heroic alter ego of Steve Rogers, who is rejected by the Army for being too sickly and undergoes an experiment that takes him to the pinnacle of human form. Paired with an indestructible shield, he became a symbol of the war effort, in and out of comics.

The character disappeared in the 1950s but was revived during the early era of Marvel Comics. He was reintroduced as part of the Avengers, the absence explained by having him being in a state of suspended animation during a war mission until found by the superteam.

First Avenger: Captain America is scheduled for a release on May 6, 2011. It will be a World War II-set movie, and the character will appear in the modern day-set The Avengers.

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[Drewza89]

I like this pick. The Rocketeer and October Sky were great movies and judging by the trailer, I bet The Wolfman will be great too.

Now all they need to do is get someone like Matt Damon to play Cap.

[vegeta88]

I'm glad to hear that things are moving foreward with the project. This director sounds like a goo piece to the puzzle. I can't wait to hear who they choose to write and who to star.

Marvel Rocks!

[GreenScar]

We now have directors in place for both Thor and Captain America. I like both choices. Excited to hear casting on both. I really think Marvel knows exactly what they're doing.

[Banjo]

Joe Johnston, really? I think he'll do a good job considering how much I liked The Rocketeer and October Sky.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by Banjo

Joe Johnston, really? I think he'll do a good job considering how much I liked The Rocketeer and October Sky.

Considering they're starting out with Cap's 40's past, would you entrust it to anyone BUT the Rocketeer director?

[vegeta88]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

I really think Marvel knows exactly what they're doing.

Same here. They've done well with their first 2 movies and though that is not enough to be sure of anything, its a good start.

What kind of sucks though is that the Avengers has to be great, it HAS to be. If its the follow-up to 4 or 5 really good movies, with 4,5 or more big stars, expectations will be VERY high. I think Marvel can pull it off

[Jayromy]

I am cautiously optimistic with Johnston. He will do just fine.

I now renew my suggestion of Jon Hamm as Captain America.

[SquidPuppet]

Originally Posted by _Bolt_

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So Bolt, are you going to watch the pirated version a week before it releases and save $11.00 like you did with QOS?

[GreenScar]

The Screenwriters from The Chronicles of Narnia are in talks with Marvel to take up Cap.

The Chronicles of Narnia scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely are in negotiations to write the screenplay for Marvel Studios’ The First Avenger: Captain America. Last week the company announced that Joe Johnston had been brought aboard the project to direct. Markus and McFeely’s pitch must have been good, because none of their previous writing credits indicate that they are fitting for a World War II superhero film.

[GreenScar]

Didn't want to start a new thread for this but:

Cinematical visited the set of "Dear John" and had a chance to chat with the film's star Channing Tatum. The site asked whether Tatum has ever considered playing a superhero, especially Captain America.

Apparently, this is not the first time this has come up. A crew member has tried desperately to get Tatum to consider starring in "The First Avenger: Captain America." Here is what Tatum had to say:

"Captain America? Oh my God! Oddly enough, I just got given a book – one of the painters came up and here gave me a book. I would think about it. Maybe it's destiny! I would definitely think about it – I just got done doing 'GI Joe,' though. If 'Joe' does well, and it doesn't seem to be the exact same story, then I would. I don't know. They seem to be very, very similar – almost identical. Except for the – I think he takes a serum? Like a strength serum? [But the WWII setting] could be very very cool."

What do you think of Tatum as Cap?

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[fighthefutureofhd]

that could work. he's not an oscar winning actor, but i could see him as captain america. he was really good in stop loss.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

What do you think of Tatum as Cap?

Er....think he'd better start reading the book.

[Mikezilla3k]

Happy 10th anniversary to The First Avenger!

[Darkstream]

One of Marvel's very best films.

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by Darkstream

One of Marvel's very best films.

The whole Cap trilogy slaps.