Speculation re casting Captain America

[velithya]

!!! I was linked to this article by a friend about 5 minutes ago, and of course had to share it here! It's all speculation of course but it's pretty exciting speculation. :3

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SDCC: Torchwood Star Up for Captain America?
Source: Silas Lesnick
July 24, 2008


John Barrowman, the star of "Torchwood," was just asked moments ago at the San Diego Comic-Con panel if there was any possibility that he would be playing Captain America in the upcoming feature film.

He smiled and gave the stock answer that he'd love to play the character and that Captain America has always been his favorite comic book superhero. Clearly, though, the notion did not take him by surprise and he ended up admitting there had been discussions with his agents and meetings on that very issue.

What do you think? Though maybe not the star-power that the studio might be looking for, Barrowman certainly fits the bill. We'll bring you more news as it develops.

The First Avenger: Captain America is currently scheduled for a May 6, 2011 release.
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edit: crimsonquills is actually at Comic Con and it's apparently a misquote, alas. Oh well! :)

Comments

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Could be all misheard rumour that will come to nothing, of course, but if it does go through, according to this post (http://community.livejournal.com/cap_ironman/71416.html#cutid1)
lilpocketninja will be able to say she totally called it. XD

Seriously, I could picture this working. He's got the blue eyes, the manly jawline, the experience playing an iconically American character in a WWII setting, plenty of talent when not being subjected to the travesty that is whoever directs Torchwood, the charisma, the raging homosexuality...

[lilpocketninja.livejournal.com]

Holy shit, I was joking! *eee!*

But, but, but... He can't act. :(

[saint-kit.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't see it going through. And not just because I'm still pulling for Mark Valley in the Cap Derby.

I can only see there being an unnecessary amount of controversy with an outed gay man playing an iconic American figure. There are plenty of people that wouldn't care, but they aren't the loud crowd.

[mechanicaljewel.livejournal.com]

What a great thing to read on my first jaunt in this comm! Hell YES Mark Valley for Cap!

(actually, I just started a petition, if you'd like to sign it? http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/valleyforcap/)

[avidlydelicious.livejournal.com]

Whoa, the fact that he has "Walking Recruitment Poster" on his imdb forum that is in reference to him and not Cap at all definitely gives him +2 in my book for the role.

[demon-faith.livejournal.com]

As much as I love John, his acting ability is not the strongest - not even on Torchwood, in which he's pretty much playing himself a lot of the time.

Also, he's not hefty enough to play Cap. And he looks really silly when he's blond - see 'The Producers' for evidence of that.

[adn-heming.livejournal.com]

Alas, I have to agree. I think John is more suited to Broadway than film. And he was frightening with blond hair. (That said---it was a really light shade that didn't suit him. Maybe if they'd gone with a darker blonde?)

[schmevil.livejournal.com]

I also have to agree. He is not a subtle character actor - his style is incredibly uh... broad.

imho this movie is going to require a talented, very internal actor to pull off. With Cap, there's a lot going on under the surface that he doesn't express - he's not exactly known for displays of emotion.

[tavella.livejournal.com]

Yup. This is why I don't find the DiCaprio option as awful as other people do.

[schmevil.livejournal.com]

Physically DiCaprio is all wrong but he's got great range and usually delivers very layered performances. I'm a huge fan of his grownup work. Hmm. I'd keep him in mind for something else, hero or villain.

[fire-tears.livejournal.com]

I LOVE JOHN BARROWMAN.

That said, no. Absolutely not. His acting is good, but it's not anything special; he's really not big enough; and, as demon_faith said, he looks damned silly with blond hair.

He also doesn't have the kind of presence that Captain America needs. I love you, John, but you are not Captain America.

[myniamh.livejournal.com]

Scary. I love Captain Jack, Barrowman is a great stage actor but he's much too ... yes, as the above commenter put it, too broad and far too much of an extrovert for me to see him as Captain America.

[crimsonquills.livejournal.com]

I'm at Comic Con right now, and while I wasn't at that panel, I'm sharing a room with someone who was, and the article actually totally misquoted. Someone asked, and he said he'd love to, and his agent said he didn't have the time. John then also then said that he didn't have the time.

The really inaccurate part of the article is this part: "he ended up admitting there had been discussions with his agents and meetings on that very issue."

That's totally wrong. He said that he and his agent were in talks while at Comic Con for other projects. Not Cap.

So yeah, case of journalistic confusion there!

[lilpocketninja.livejournal.com]

Ah, cool. That's a bit of a relief. =D

[geuna.livejournal.com]

Just to put in my ten cents, I have to agree with just about everything people have said so far.

Barrowman was born for stage acting. He's over the top, flamboyant, and a little saucy. Sad to say, for the most part, this seems to be the sort of role he's ideal at. It wouldn't fit Steve at all.

Of course, it's not really an issue anymore, as Crimsonquills pointed about.

The people who plays Steve has to calm, balanced. Mild tempered, even. Or at least me able to pull that off at times. Then be able to jump into "kickass" mode without too much effort. If Barrowman did that... well, I have to admit I would start giggling.

[fire-tears.livejournal.com]

John Barrowman has two speeds: 'walk' and 'sex up the nearest humanoid with a pulse'.

[geuna.livejournal.com]

(LAUGHS)

[avidlydelicious.livejournal.com]

HA.

[avidlydelicious.livejournal.com]

Just saying word to you. I actually do think he's a good actor, but he seems built for the stage and characters like Captain Jack - the stylish hero with a dark edge. I love Barrowman with all my heart, but he wouldn't quite fit the stoic idealistic hero type.