Marvel Editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada Speaks on Captain America Casting

Marvel Editor-in-chief, Joe Quesada Speaks on Captain America Casting

In an interview with Comic Book Resources, Joe Quesada talks about the Captain America cast so far.

By DCMarvelFreshman - Apr 02, 2010 05:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Captain America
Source: Comic Book Resources



CBR's Kiel Phegley, caught up with Marvel E-I-C for the annual Cup O' Joe, and they end up talking about the casting for The First Avenger: Captain America.




Kiel Phegley: Let's shift topics for a minute to another piece of Marvel news which has been a very hot topic of late: the casting of Captain America for Joe Johnston's upcoming Cap feature film. Chris Evans has been confirmed as the lead, but even before that, this process did draw a lot of talk including multiple reports on what actors were reading for the part weeks ahead of time. Why do you think people are so invested in this specific casting process?

Joe Quesada: Well, all I can say is that last week I was out in LA on a super secret covert mission. Well, it was covert until I mentioned it on Twitter the other day (whoops). And, from what I've seen, I think it's reasonable to say that the search for Captain America left no stone unturned in Hollywood. If you can think of an actor who might fit the role, either perfectly or remotely, I can almost assure you they have been considered and or screen tested for the part.

This has probably been the most exhaustive search for a lead actor since the search for Scarlett O'Hara. But, this makes sense as the role of Cap is such an incredibly special one and really bigger than life. Not only does an actor have to embody the sheer power and charisma of a character like Cap, he must also be able to demonstrate his humility. Add to this the 90 lb. weakling aspect of Steve Rogers and you have a part that is very tough to fill by anyone's standards. The other thing to keep in mind is that while in our comics, Cap is shown as a mature man, perhaps in his early thirties, who has seen a lot of the world – this can't be the case in the Cap movie. Steve Rogers is about 24 when he enlists, and he's not much older than that when he becomes Cap. This may seem like culture shock to fans who have been reading his comics for decades, but when you stand back and think about it for a second, you have to scratch your head and say, “oh yeah, that's right!”



The reason I think fans are so invested in these rumors is because we all have a mental image of what our favorite Marvel heroes look like, and we all hope to see that perfect person who looks like they just walked out of our books and onto the screen. But I think history has proven that what is most important in these roles is finding the right actor or actress first that can embody the spirit of the character and who can give the performance of a lifetime doing so. I think the current batch of leading actors and actresses in our Marvel-produced movies have proven that to be very much the case.

But this is where the casting of Chris Evans is such a homerun. Here you have a guy who absolutely embodies every aspect of Cap, including the look and feel of the character. Kevin Feige was absolutely beaming after meeting with Chris and seeing what he could do, and I've got to tell you, I think he's perfect as well. See, that to me is the beauty of the movies that we at Marvel produce. We know the characters better than anyone outside of our fans, and we know how important it is to cast just that right person. We aren't a bunch of Hollywood execs who don't understand the source material or it's history; it's Marvel guys and gals making Marvel movies, and that's a huge difference.

Chris Evans is going to rock as Cap, as will Sebastian Stan as Bucky, who plays a pretty important part in our movie. The story is epic, the director is a legendary icon and the cast is taking shape in fantastic ways – man, it's great to be a Marvel fan in this new millennium!



Kiel Phegley: I do think that with Captain America, people expect the character to really represent what America means and are far more likely to project upon him their own views. We've seen a little bit of this recently with the "Tea Bagging" incident in the Cap monthly, where folks across the political spectrum seemed ready to label Cap a conservative or a liberal. It seems a movie might take that kind of talk to a much bigger level. Have you and the guys at Marvel Films discussed the political nature of having a superhero called Captain America while preparing the story and thinking about casting?

Joe Quesada: Of course we have, and it's something that we don't take lightly. What's important to note is that this is a guy who wears the American flag, and that flag stands for different things to different people. What is key to us is really more Cap the man than Cap's politics. I think if we focus on that, the movie will avoid any claims of partisanship or what have you. That said, I can almost guarantee you that someone will want to find something in the motives behind why Cap does the things he does. It just comes with the territory and is nothing that we haven't experienced before.


Head over to Comic Book Resources for the full Cup O' Joe interview.
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Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 4/2/2010, 5:19 PM
Dammit man, you beat me by about 1 second.:)
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 4/2/2010, 5:21 PM
Awesome. Bucky "plays a pretty important part in our movie" eh? Hopefully this means that he'll be more like the recent WWII Ed Brubaker version rather than the cheesy kid sidekick from the older comic books! :)

Guys, check out my DAREDEVIL Fan Cast!!! Just click the link!!!
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 4/2/2010, 5:23 PM
Or did you? I deleted my article and it came back.
Ryden
Ryden - 4/2/2010, 5:25 PM
Cool, I'm actually looking forward to First Avenger now. The only worry I have is Joe Johnston who seems like he just doesn't care about Cap...hopefully he does though..and we get an awesome movie.
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 4/2/2010, 5:33 PM
MF: I honestly don"t know which article was up first but I won't move mine to main. I'll let CBM decide bro. I deleted mine once and it re-appeared.
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 4/2/2010, 5:34 PM
Man, Freshman! Take it easy and let some of use report an article or two! You've been on fire!
peterparker420
peterparker420 - 4/2/2010, 5:37 PM
JOSH- AGREED! Late in the film I want BUCKY to have that
METAL arm..but that's just me LOL!
tommythegreat88
tommythegreat88 - 4/2/2010, 5:38 PM
o man im telling you these guys know wat they are doing if they are uber excited ..we all have a reason 2 be as well..i guarantee u wen their movies are done they just go home and watch them over and over again lol kevin fiege is probally watching the finished version of iron man 2 in his office or where ever he is right now just for fun !!
DCMarvelFreshman
DCMarvelFreshman - 4/2/2010, 5:39 PM
Damn, I have indeed been posting a lot today. I usually wait a good 30.....seconds to see if someone post an article, and if I don't see anything, I go in for the kill.

Today was a little challenge for me, I shall now retire for today.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 4/2/2010, 5:41 PM
Cool. Bucky's an important part of the Cap story anyway.

And I just got back from Clash. Preeeeeeetttttttyyyyyy lame.
bleedthefreak
bleedthefreak - 4/2/2010, 6:07 PM
@InTylerWeTrust you gonna do a review or did you already?
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 4/2/2010, 6:23 PM
MARVEL KNOWS ITSELF..I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY OKAYED...WE SAW IRONMAN, I DONT THINK THEY'LL DISSAPOINT.
ASSASSIN666
ASSASSIN666 - 4/2/2010, 6:29 PM
Oh well at least he admits that other studios have dropped the ball, or have no balls period.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 4/2/2010, 6:35 PM
Kes: Yeah, I was disappointed too :(

bleed: Probably not, don't really feel like doing it.
simonsays2109
simonsays2109 - 4/2/2010, 6:37 PM
clash was a terrible movie
gunner
gunner - 4/2/2010, 6:48 PM
Well said Joe !!
These guy's Know what they are doing,
I'm Hoping for a Mix of the old Marvel Universe , with the new.
Winter Soldier in the future ? Bring it on !!
I personaly dont want to see a old Bucky barnes.
With the Invaders and Bucky in this Movie , the Possiblities are endless for marvel (when it comes to the Avengers )
I wanna Feel the way i felt when i was a Kid, when i see this Movie.
This Movie Has to set up The Marvel Universe ( Marvel Knows this )
I Really Dont think They'll Let us Down .
The Gunn Aproves.
jusme6
jusme6 - 4/2/2010, 7:12 PM
Joe is such a good PR guy.
DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 4/2/2010, 8:18 PM
Since when is Joe Johnson a legendary icon?
gorgeousgeeks
gorgeousgeeks - 4/2/2010, 8:38 PM
If anyone is unhappy with the casting, take comfort in this thought: Joe could always force Cap to sell his partnership with Bucky to the devil and reset the movie and it won't even necessarily need to be referred to as a reboot.
contrast
contrast - 4/2/2010, 9:31 PM
@gorgeousgeeks-- . . .I...don't know that I understand that statement...
IronClad
IronClad - 4/2/2010, 9:40 PM
Alright, after IM2 comes out and I see it about 5 times in theaters, I'm going to be put in a medically induced coma and be awakened just before Thor comes out. Then I'll only have a couple more months before The First Avenger. Night, night!
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 4/2/2010, 9:53 PM
@Starsapphire, I know, right?! Haha!
StephenStrange
StephenStrange - 4/3/2010, 12:30 AM
I loved everything he said except the part about the director being a "legendary icon" of course he has to say something like that but personally... I loled
gunner
gunner - 4/3/2010, 12:36 AM
Thank you bropous !! :)
Macksimus
Macksimus - 4/3/2010, 3:56 AM
"Marvel guys and gals making Marvel movies, and that's a huge difference"

This is why you can always count on seeing a good movie made by Marvel. They understand the content, and they would never release a poor product.
MadDizzle
MadDizzle - 4/3/2010, 8:20 AM
well if tyler dont like Clash then it must suck, I mean this is the guy who thinks The Expendables sucks and Brad Pitt is the man so how could he be wrong?
MadDizzle
MadDizzle - 4/3/2010, 8:21 AM
RELEASE THE CRAGON!!!!!!
DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 4/3/2010, 8:38 AM
lol
kooldeath
kooldeath - 4/3/2010, 12:29 PM
Captain America is going to be so lame. Chris Evans can't act worth a damn if his character isn't cocky and sarcastic he has nothing. Look at the new movie trailers for The Losers. Marvel casted the wrong actor..I bet through out this movie he'll try to act all tough and serious and he'll come off looking stupid. He just can't pull this role off. Johnny Storm yes.. he fit that character perfectly...But he's no Cap.
kooldeath
kooldeath - 4/3/2010, 12:30 PM
He would make a great deapool though
PurpleHaze92
PurpleHaze92 - 4/3/2010, 2:32 PM
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
DaenerysTargaryen
DaenerysTargaryen - 4/3/2010, 3:04 PM
I remember when Heath Ledger was announced to play the joker. People said stuff like,
probably the worst casting of all time
good job guys, shoulda cast Crispin Glover as he was, you know, born to play the part
[frick] his gay brokeback ass
bring jack back he culd lose a few pounds but still hes not a gay f******.
I lost total faith in DC and Christopher Nolan! The dark Knight is gunna suck!

__________-
I bet those people feel like idiots now. I just don't think we should instantly judge how chris Evans willl be as cap before the film has even started filming. Who knos he could WOW us.

gorgeousgeeks
gorgeousgeeks - 4/3/2010, 8:22 PM
@Contrast I was referring to Spiderman and One More Day. I love Marvel, but I can't let that go and forgive Joe for that one.
contrast
contrast - 4/4/2010, 12:14 AM
@gorgeousgeeks-- Oh! That's actually pretty funny...and the reason I stopped reading Spider Man.
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