Who Should Be Cap?

I began reading Captain America comics sometime during the late eighties, shortly after Steve Rogers returned to the role after being "fired" by the President. I'll never forget that dramatic poster depicting Cap's star-spangled costume folded up and sitting beneath the bold, black print "PRESIDENT FIRES CAP." As a seven year-old boy, I never knew superheroes could be fired! But, I digress...

Marvel Films, soon to be a part of the Walt Disney Company, put forth an ambitious plan for nine films, beginning with 2008's Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, that would mesh together and culminate in a huge, epic The Avengers film in 2012. This summer's Iron Man 2 is a part of this plan, as is next year's Thor and the weirdly-titled The First Avenger: Captain America. Weird because it's a huge mouthful and weird because Captain America didn't become an Avenger until the title's fourth issue.

A variety of young Hollwood actors are up for the role, with the odd frontrunner being Chris Evans, who portrayed the Human Torch in Fox's okay-but-could've-been-better films. That means if Evans gets the job, he'll have played two iconic Marvel Comics characters in just a few short years. I like Evans as an actor, and I think he'll make a pretty good Captain America. More importantly, he'll be able to stand up to Robert Downey, Jr.'s quick-witted Tony Stark, who'll no doubt make Steve Rogers' life a living hell in The Avengers film.

Personally, I thought Dwayne "The former Rock" Johnson would've been a better choice. Johnson's biracial background might be an issue for some, but his being of half-African-American ancestry would work for a story about the U.S. government of the 1940s experimenting on its own citizens to create a super-soldier. In fact, this topic was explored in the Marvel Comics's mini-series Truth several years back. Johnson's build, looks, and charisma would all work very well for the Star-Spangled Avenger, and not only could he stand up to Downey's Stark, but he could literally look down on him, too!

In the end, however, I'm sure Marvel and Paramount will go with Chris Evans, and I'm fine with that, but I just wish they'd take a little chance here, just like they did with the former tabloid-fodder Downey in Iron Man.

The most important question will be will the movie be any good? God only knows at this point...but here's hoping.