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UPDATE: Who Should Play Captain America?
By Landfill | September 29, 2009
Last week we posted an article asking you the readers to tell us who you would want cast as Captain America. We gave you 14 actors and you gave us 4 more to think about. We also told you MTV was doing something similar. They even went on to poll their readers asking the question, “Who should play Captain America?” Continue with this article to see their results along with our 18 fan favorite actors vying for the role of Steve Rogers.
First, we’d like to give you MTV’s results from their poll.
Poll Results:
John Barrowman: 36%
Alexander Skarsgard: 28%
Jensen Ackles: 10%
Jon Hamm: 8%
Channing Tatum: 3%
John Cena: 2%
Matthew McConaughey: 2%
Will Smith: 2%
Tyrese Gibson: 0%
Other: 8%
As you can see, John Barrowman from Torchwood fame edges out True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgard for the role of Captain America. What’s interesting is the top two places received 64% of the votes and the “other” option beat out WWE wrestler John Cena, Matthew McConaughey, Will Smith, Tyrese Gibson, Channing Tatum, and tied Jon Hamm. Jensen Ackles came in third place barely beating the “Other” option.
I’d like to see if we could possibly duplicate the results or have something totally different. We will be running a poll to the left on the main page where you can vote for your favorite actor who you voiced for the role of the first avenger. We’ll be running it for two weeks in order to give everyone time to vote.
Below are our 18 actors. I deliberately took Will Smith off because he’s stated in the past that he wouldn’t want the role because it’s not how the character was conceived. Everyone else mentioned is who you, the fans, wanted as Captain America. FYI, the list is in alphabetical order, there was no favoritism shown in the listing I can assure you.
Jensen Ackles
John Barrowman
John Cena
Bradley Cooper
Matt Damon
Leonardo DiCaprio
Aaron Eckhart
Nathan Fillion
Matthew Fox
Jon Hamm
Matthew McConaughey
Chris Pine
Brad Pitt
Dominic Purcell
Alexander Skarsgard
Mark Valley
Mark Walhberg
Sam Worthington
Topics: Captain America | 31 Comments »
31 Responses to “UPDATE: Who Should Play Captain America?”
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September 29th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Really?!?! Matt Damon’s not on here! He looks exaclty like CA! and i think his experience in the bourne movies qualifies him as a top canidate
September 29th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
nm . . . didn’t look at poll
September 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Look at the facts. Steve Rodgers was in his early 20s when he went through Operation:Rebirth. He was a nobody that went through fine arts school for one year before trying and initally failing to get into the military.
This part needs to be filled by someone young, not well known, and capable of pulling off all of Rogers’ qualities that made him the great leader, fighter and Patriot that he was.
The only person to fit ALL of these qualities on this list ist Chris Pine. Most of the rest of these actors are at least decent, if not phenominal at what they do, but Pine is young (under 30), he looks similar to Rodgers (sans blonde hair), and he has shown the ability to portray all of the qualities that made Rodgers Captain America.
September 29th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I still say Matthew Shepperd from LOST
September 29th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I meant Matthew Fox….he plays Jack Shepperd
September 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I agree with icemanfann2000. Chris Pine needs to spend a little time bulking up, but I don’t think that is a major obstacle worth dismissing him over. I know Landfill is monstrously against this pick, but I think it makes sense. Most of these other picks seem like big names more so than the right actor for the character.
September 29th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
nathan fillion is probably too old and he doesn’t quite look the part. that said, i’d give him my vote any day. hands down the best underrated actor out there. if i found out tomorrow he was playing wonderwoman i’d still go watch it and friggin’ love it.
chris pine is second on my list. followed by alexander skarsgard.
anyone who would suggest the cenabag or the channing tater dude should be kicked in the nuts and forced to have “i have no taste” forever forged onto their forehead. same with leo dicaprioorwhatever. as liberal and wimpy as he is, i could never appreciate him playing the ultimate american badass.
and i thank ya…
September 29th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Matt Damon doesnt pull off patriotic regal-ness too well. Great actor, i just dont see the fit at all.
Most of these are just big names not good fits. Just curious but what happened to Gerald Butler? lol
Someone definitely needs to think a lil more outside of the celeb box here…
September 29th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
John Barrowman from Torchwood and True Blood’s Alexander Skarsgard are british/swedish.. We def need an American Captain America!
September 29th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Someone just suggested Eric Dane to me.. and i think he could work! (I believe he’s on Grey’s Anatomy or some crap; I know him as MultipleMan from X3 actually) Assuming he can act well, i think he looks the part and is about the right level of fame for the job.
September 30th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I have said on other forums that Justin Hartley (Smallville’s Green Arrow) is the perfect fit.
A) he has the physical looks (blond hair, blue eyes etc…)
B) he has the strength and size (GA is no slouch)
C) he is already used to wearing a costume
D) he was born in Illinois (Hello AMERICAN)
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1261997/
September 30th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I don’t know, I’m still hooked on Damon. Captain America is arguably the most famous and noble Avenger. I think a big (bigger) name is ideal for this part. I feel like that is what worked with the Hulk revamp. Also why sabertooth and deadpool were awesome in wolverine . . . they got good, non-rookie actors to play the parts, and thats why they were successful. Damon is a great actor who can play the punching bag and the hero.
I do like the idea of Chris Pine though. Didn’t really think about it, but comments for him made me think he could work.
September 30th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
ERIC DANE for Cap.
HUGH LAURIE for Red Skull.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
@ Jay
Yes I agree we should be looking everywhere even on the streets for the next cap but they will most likely cast a celebrity. They will most likely cast an actor who can pull this stuff off. I realize Gerard Butler was mentioned but must have either slipped my mind, or he wasn’t in the comments section of the last Captain America article.
@ BlyndJustyce
Good pick, he could have definitely received some votes for this if you would have told us a few days earlier. I like the guy and he can act. he’s also built better than Tom Welling from Smallville. Welling’s another possible Captain America candidate.
@ LTC America
I’ve never heard of Eric Dane but he does have the look of Captain America. He could pull off the look but I have no idea about his acting skills. Also, Hugh Laurie as Red Skull is genius.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Who said everywhere on the streets!? I juss said not a huge name. like matt damon.. he’s too big. I would never see captain america – I’d see matt damon. We do NOT need a big name.. it’s already gonna be huge. And if we get a bigger name villian it’ll more than make up for it.
Eric Dane is still a good choice. And Hugh Laurie would fucking OWN as Red Skull!
P.S. Wolverine SUCKED and you have no idea wtf you’re talking about about non-rookie actor crap.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Sorry, don’t always have time to get on here. Once I was able it was too late to put my 2 cents worth in.
They need a name that is recognizeable but not so huge that they demand 1/2 the budget to show up and so big that people are going to see the movie because of the actor…It should be “lets see the Captain America movie starring” You go too big a name and it’s “lets see the Brad Pitt movie where he plays a superhero.”
September 30th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
@ BlyndJustyce
Ok, I agree a celebrity brings a crowd, they even help the movie during the marketing stages to get people in the theater seats. I’m thinking they can afford any actor to play Captain America. The most any actor asks for is $23 million, something possible to put up for a good actor.
I’m thinking anyone that goes to see a Captain America film is either a fan of the character or a fan of CBMs, not the actor playing them. Even if it was Brad Pitt, I’d still go to watch the movie and not him.
I’m thinking your asking for a person like Alexander Skarsgard, not too big and not too small actor status wise. Hate to say it, but I bet alot of people would watch the movie for his starring role in True Blood.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Maybe it’s me Landfill but I just want to see an american playing Captain America not an aussie or a brit. Something in the name AMERICA screams it should be played by an american.
I was all for Skarsgard as Thor (not hating Hemsworth but not loving the choice……time will tell)I actuall love all the chioces for Thor so far. Alexander is almost the spitting image of Sif IMO.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:04 am
I know what you’re saying but foreigners have been playing Americans since acting was invented. I don’t have a problem with it. I didn’t have a problem when Skarsgard played an American soldier in Generation Kill so I don’t I’d have a problem with him playing the American Steve Rogers.
I agree that Alexander would have made a great Thor but we can’t hate on Hemsworth since we have nothing to go on. He was good in Star Trek for the few minutes he was in it, so only time can tell if Kenneth Branagh made the right decision for Thor.
October 1st, 2009 at 12:41 am
With all due respect, there’s no place for patriotism in the subject. There’s nothing wrong with an actor of another nationality ‘cuz you know, as far as I know, Christopher Reeve and the others are not Kriptonians, so you get my point, is ridiculous.
About the celebrity status of the actor is also ridiculous ‘cuz Nolan’s Batman, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, all CBMs that are great, have great cast and celebrities in them, maybe not as popular as others like Brad Pitt for example, but clebrities in their own right and they WORKED amazingly well.
P.S.: I like the pick for Justin Hartley from Smallville, he is great, didn’t think of him, I blame the off season for that lol, but he is great and could do a great job.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:21 am
Comparing Christian Bale pre-Batman fame to Matt Damon or Brad Pitt is just ridiculousness! I’ll admit Edward Norton somehow made it work, but not even he is of that level of fame!
Blynd Justyce is so right; it’d become “lets see the Brad Pitt movie where he plays a superhero” rather than a Captain America movie and his paycheck would be a bigger chunk of the budget than is necessary!
We need someone known, but not huge!
Still voting for Eric Dane, and Hugh Laurie as Red Skull
October 1st, 2009 at 7:08 am
You know, I’m really surprised at the lack of Jon Hamm fans out there. I really thought everyone would at least brought his name up a few times.
And Sam Worthington as well. He was everywhere when the summer started and he had that terminator movie coming out earlier this year. He looks the part of a superhero and should be recognized.
There’s two good actors that wouldn’t draw the dreadful celebrity crowd that would make Marvel a little extra cash to keep these movies coming. I’m just saying, it’s not a bad thing to have a name headlining the movie, especially if that name can act.
October 1st, 2009 at 8:22 am
I think the bottom line is that people want someone who will embody Cap instead of just acting the part. I mean, signing on for this role is signing up for at least two films, more with sequels and possible cameos. I agree with the idea that it shouldn’t be someone as large as Brad Pitt or Matt Damon, but Landfill is right, there is no need to discount them if they were chosen. They’d still do a great job and we all would still go see it.
As for maraf’s comment, I think Uma Thurman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and George Clooney are all big names, and we know what happened with that. It’s not ridiculous to want someone right for the part more so than for the name.
@ Landfill
I’ll admit that Jon Hamm is a good pick for a middleground between just unfrozen Cap and present day Cap but he might come across too old for just unfroze Cap. And Sam Worthington is a good overlooked character. Time will tell.
October 1st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I don’t care about nationality. I agree that it shouldn’t be a huge named actor (Hugh Jackman was little known in the U.S. before he played Wolverine. He is an Aussie playing a Canadian), but even if it is, as long as they do well (ie Robert Downey, Jr.) then I ultimately don’t care about that either.
I said Chris Pine because A- he was on the list of names, and B- He is the only one on the list that fits the look, the age, and the qualities that are need for captain America. All of the others are too old. Rodgers was only in his 20s when he became Cap, and the Serum slowed down his aging to almost a halt.
I do agree the Justin Hartley would also make a good Cap though.
October 1st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
First of all, not all celebrities have the same level of stardom and fame as others, I guess we all know that so is not correct to compare them, any given name with another.
Second, my point is that the right actor should be cast for the role, it doesn’t matter his status, fame or whatever, just that he can give the performance we all expect for the given role.
Third, since some people don’t have much memory apparently, I will make a short list of celebrities:
Batman & Robim – George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman. (The movie was a disaster but at least G.Clooney can act, watch Syriana, Michael Clayton, Burn After Reading, so the problem was the script and little details such as having a Batsuit with nipples on it).
LXG League of Extraordinary Gentleman – Sean Connery.
Catwoman – Halle Berry.
Wanted – Angelina Jolie, Morgan Freeman.
The Incredible Hulk – Edward Norton.
Constantine – Keanu Reeves.
Batman Begins and The Dark Knight – Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman. (Bale was more of a cult actor before Batman, I will give you that but after Begins he became a star).
Iron Man – Robert Downey Jr. (He was a star, he just fall and had a bad time due his problems but he rise to stardom again).
So the point is that, we can’t compare them and is logical some will be more popular than others but they are all celebrities and huge stars. So the thing is to find the right actor for the right role, with a good script and direction.
A huge name will only affect the commercial aspect of the film and will attract non comicbook fans for sure, but that is a good thing, at least I’m glad to welcome with open arms new people to this amazing world of comicbooks and CBMs.
October 1st, 2009 at 6:11 pm
A huge name is NOT a good thing!
Again, it takes up budget for no reason when someone less known will do fine
It looks like brad pitt playing a superhero instead of a Cap movie
And lastly, getting a big name could even convince the people making the film that they’ll “attract non-comicbook fans” and that those fans will make up a larger portion of the audience; and thus that it’s OK to be unfaithful to the source material to make it more appealing to a general audience.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:24 pm
@ Jay
you’re forgetting Marvel is making the movie, they know what’s best for their characters. they won’t screw anything up like Fox. They want to be respected for their work. They want to continue the success.
If it takes a start like Pitt to make the film, so be it, it’s not going to hurt anything that much. Good example being Heath Ledger as the Joker.
Everyone was skeptical about that casting because of his typecasting as a teen star or whatever and he turned in an oscar worthy performance for a CBM. At least have some faith in Marvel to cast someone capable of accomplishing that feat.
I agree, having a movie star does take up some of the budget but it wouldn’t be possible to make movies if they couldn’t work around that problem. One more thing, it’s possible for an actor to lose himself in a role and make something marvelous. We see it all the time in great movies. Great actors can do this and whoever they cast will be able to accomplish this in order to give a great performance we all want to see.
October 1st, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Marvel knows what’s best?? WHAT!? Did you not see X3, spider-man 3, Elektra, the 2003 Hulk, Daredevil!? They do NOT always know what is best! I have no faith.
They might know the best way to make a movie look great in trailers and rake in cash – but that isn’t the same as making a quality film!
As matter of fact the people making the movies get like 80% of profits of a film for the first week and the theaters only get 20%; then the theater makes most the money after that.. so it doesn’t help moviemakers to make a good film as much as one people will think is good! (this is slightly less true with DVD sales now, but only slightly) This is why so many movies seem great but are poorly done and are churned out as often as possible – a well-known actor and a few flashy scenes and people will check it out and by the time word gets out it sucks it only screws over the theaters really.
They wanna make money, not NECESSARILY a great movie, and big name actors attracting the non-CBM lovers just makes it more likely to suck! Ledger was a huge exception and at first they didnt want him cause they didnt think he could do it but were impressed with his audition, remember? He wasn’t picked by nobodies on some website. He ended up super dedicated to the film, but this is not the norm!
It isn’t impossible, but having a huge name increases the chance of the movie sucking with rare benefit!
October 1st, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Jay, for your information Marvel had no say in the movies you mentioned. Daredevil, Elektra and the X movies(as well as Fantastic 4 an Silver Surfer) were all Fox run properties, S3 was Sony and I believe Universal did Hulk. The rights to all those properties were on loan from Marvel meaning the studios could tweak and change anything and everything they wanted.(and they did)
Ironman and The Incredible Hulk were both done by Marvels newly formed movie studio as will Cap & Thor. With the Disney merger if the studios don’t start using the properties optioned to them then and only then will Marvel get the rights back and be able to make them properly.
You are right the STUDIOS want big stars for big bucks but those being done by Marvel are being done with respect not only to the material but we the fans
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:14 am
I didn’t realize Marvel had such little control over their property.. that’s sad. I really hope you’re right and they take at least the same care with Cap they did with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk.
I still don’t think a huge actor name is a good idea by any means! But I have a little hope they’ll choose someone decent now though… and that they probably WON’T choose someone who’s a name for that reason (and thus prolly not at all.) I’ve been hurt too many times by the ruining of characters I fell in love with and I’ll never stop worrying.
I suppose ANY actor will have some people hating him as Cap unless it’s someone completely uheard of I guess.. I still shutter at matt damon or brad pitt though.
There seriously wasn’t a single great choice on that whole list. =(
October 2nd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
@ Jay
Nice to see you realized Marvel Studios can make great films. It wasn’t marvel’s fault at all for the list you gave. That’s why the Disney/Marvel deal is good, because Disney can help with the funding and distribution in the future. Plus, they can help try to get those characters back that have been stinking up the comic book movie front for years.
I understand what you’re saying about a big name actor but it’s either that or a nobody and everyone has their critics.
Might I ask, who would you want as Captain America?