So how do they explain it? Well, you have Captain America join the USO circuit. What's a USO circuit?
Here's a brief description from www.USO.org
In 1941, the U.S. Army made a plea for entertainment for troops preparing for the war in training camps around the country. The Citizens Committee for the Army and Navy responded and, in May 1941, sent out seven traveling show buses, bringing entertainment to service men in Army camps east of the Rockies. Meanwhile, a Hollywood committee financed by agents and producers, and with the cooperation of the Screen Actors Guild, put on several large shows at military camps in California. But the demand for entertainment continued to increase. Later that year, the Citizens Committee for the Army and Navy, the USO and show business representatives met to come up with a solution. The result was USO Camp Shows, Inc., officially launched Oct. 30, 1941, as a separate corporation affiliated with and supported by the USO. USO Camp Shows, Inc., was designated by the War and Navy Departments as the "Official Entertainer" of the men and women of the armed forces. The USO's tradition of bringing entertainment to service members around the world was born.
So, their logic is they have created a Super-soldier but they can't make more so for them not to lose him easily he placed him in the USO circuit and gave him this flag suit. Which he can't wait to get out of.
"It was never in the comics," Joe Johnston said,
"because they didn't really need it. In comics, he puts on the costume and the reader just justifies because of the nature of the medium."
When asked who will wield the shield. His reply that they are already testing five or six guys with the youngest being 23 and the oldest 32. Though they need to lock in an actor on March 1.
He confirmed that there will be more than one Captain America costume in the film.
In the first USO sequences, the frustrated patriot will be wearing a version that is closer to the classic Jack Kirby-designed costume, but then later as the super-soldier hits the war zone he will be wearing a sturdier, more muted version that he makes himself that is more like battle togs. The stripes across his mid-section, for instance, will be straps, not colored fabric.
"He realizes the value of the uniform symbols but he modifies his suit and adds some armor, it will be closer to the Cpa costume in some of the comics in more recent years...this approach, it's the only way we could justify ever seeing him on a screen in tights, with the funny boots and everything. The government essentially puts him up there as a living comic-book character and he rips it off and then reclaims some of its imagery after he recognizes the value of it. We think it's the best way to keep the costume and explain it at the same time."
Head off to LATIMES to read the whole transcript.
Access: I'm thinking Joe Johnston is really right for this film. I loved Rocketeer and I think he will do great justice with Captain America. From the sound of things he really has a good grasp on the character.
-ACCESS out. Godspeed and MABUHAY!