On Captain America TFA's place in the MCU timeline

On Captain America TFA's place in the MCU timeline

What if Steve Rogers was thawed out earlier than we think?

Editorial Opinion
By FrankGarret - Mar 16, 2011 11:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Captain America

As much or perhaps more than the importance of his WWII adventures and Hitler-punching shenanigans, one of the most important points to Captain America is him being a man out of his time, possessing thoughts and values that were perhaps progressive during the '40s, but in the present where he finds himself flung into, he's perhaps out of touch.

I've often worried however that that aspect of the character's mythos would be disregarded for the sake of pragmatism. In a perfect world, there would have been two Captain America movies leading into the Avengers, one detailing his World War II adventures and the other about him being revived and learning to live in the 2010s.

However, with the Avengers coming out in less than two years, one wonders how Cap's arc will proceed. There are several opinions on the matter, but all essentially boil down to him joining the Avengers soon after being revived, whether that is at the end of Captain America or the start of The Avengers. That runs the risk of one of two things happening; the mental ramifications of someone finding out all they know has changed and all their loved ones are gone are ignored or not being given the proper emphasis, or it could too much screen time, which it would need to be done properly.

On the other hand, they could avoid the problem altogether by implying that story arc to have happened off-screen. Imagine if you will, that the of Captain America TFA depict Cap being thawed out, but at the same time, we see a press-release by Obadiah Stane on a TV screen in the background concerning Tony Stark kidnapping, or something pertaining to prior events, setting the bookends in modern time, just not the more recent.

The Avengers would pick up a year after that, during which time the rest of the events of Iron Man, the entirety of Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk and Thor occur, meanwhile Steve Rogers had been up and walking around, a fact that SHIELD decides to keep under-wraps. The Avengers might start with a brief prologue about Steve when he's first revived and then move on to the main plot, which sees Steve Rogers as being adjusted, though still retaining some issues which can be focused on without taking too much screen time.

I of course, have no proof or reason to believe this is what's going on. Nick Fury claims Iron Man isn't the only superhero there is, but that could mean anything. I just think it's a reasonable theory of how Captain America's transition could be handled.

So, there.

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ThreeBigTacos
ThreeBigTacos - 3/17/2011, 12:51 AM
I like that idea, but I feel like it would piss people off. I personally would love (LOVE) to see Iron man, Thor, and whoever else revive Cap, just because it would be a moment of pure fanboy joy, the first moment Iron Man, Cap, and Thor share the same scene! And throw in Fury, Banner, or whoever fits the scene. I also believe the ending scene of Cap will be his awakening, since that's the last movie until 2012, so it only makes sense to have Thor , Nick Fury, and Iron Man cameo at the end of Cap's movie reviving him or finding him at least
Orphix
Orphix - 3/17/2011, 4:18 AM
I don't think they would skimp on the man-out-of-time character arc in The Avengers. In fact I think they will use this to the hilt.

The Avengers is going to be predominantly, I believe, about the creation of the team and each individual overcoming their own personal flaws in order to feel they can join or be a valued member. Nearly all the main players have a good reason for not joining - and yet they all will.

Ironman becoming a teamplayer, Thor getting used to earth, Cap getting used to 2012, and Hulk getting used to who and what he is. And thats before you get to the Hawkeye and Black Widow arcs.

Thats why I am a bit worried about the skull/kree rumours and if that is true thats a lot of exposition to get through. If they used AIM, HYDRA and Loki as the villains then a lot of the backstory work would have been done in previous films and would be understandable to call the team The Avengers.

superotherside
superotherside - 3/17/2011, 6:49 AM
nice idea but doubt it'll happen, honestly i think that they will have time to do steve rogers story in avengers, think of other films that we see several complex stories but yet some how it concludes their indvidual stories so well such as: Lord of the Rings, The Great Escape (i'm an old movie fan), etc. honestly i think it'll work how ever they do it... ;) but i do like your idea... and the photo-edited costume... good job ;)
FrankGarret
FrankGarret - 3/17/2011, 7:21 AM
I think it culd be done, too. I just don't think it makes sense, charater-wise, for Steve to join the Avengers soon after he is defrosted.
Exiles
Exiles - 3/17/2011, 9:09 AM
I wouldn't be against that Idea, I think its a good idea, a Cap sequel could explore that "missing" year of him getting accustomed too this whole new world. But they could make the whole "man out of time" think work to there advantage, make cap question his ability to lead a team because the worlds changed so much, but as the movie goes along we see him taking charge of the team more and more until the final battle with villain where we here the iconic "Avengers Assemble" from cap. Yeah I know its only a fan boys dream.
superotherside
superotherside - 3/17/2011, 11:29 AM
@FrankGarret i agree in someways, but i bet after they say he's ok from being frozen, fury will just say, "in your day america needed you, and it still does." then tell him about what ever villain the avengers need to face and he'll go and finally lead the avengers at the end, i think in cap 2 they'll do a bit more of the man out of his time story... so it's not a big thing to me... although i understand your concern i think they'll do it right...
Themanwhosoldtheworld
Themanwhosoldtheworld - 3/17/2011, 2:43 PM
I think it would be kinda rude to wake him up from being frozen and throw him into the battle field just like that... the man-out-of-time thing should play an important role in THIS coming movie, and I like what @Orphix said, make it be the main argument on Cap's character development...

And please Mr Whedon! have Cap leading the team... not Iron Man
jaysin420
jaysin420 - 3/17/2011, 3:23 PM
I might be confusing this with another movie but didn't they mention Cap would be like book-ended in the present? So it will probably start out with Cap being found and then his story will all be a flashback. Then hopefully there's still time to see him trying to adapt, which is the most interesting part I think.
CraptainAmerica
CraptainAmerica - 3/17/2011, 4:44 PM
To have Fury asking Stark "I want to talk to you about the Avenger initiative" having thawed out Rogers would be a very interesting take on the situation. I'd also be up for Rogers being thawed out just after the team has been established (all be it a little too convenient). I'd also be up for sex in a park with a hooker but that would be too familiar. Having read the Thor script people will know that Thor will have to be introduced ;-) I think dealing with Steve's emergence in the 21st Century would be best placed in TFA.

So The Avengers has a lot to cram in. I agree with the above suggestion that having Kree and Skrull would be an overcomplicated affair and sticking to a very character driven storyline (ie; learning to become a team) would be the more sensible but equally fun arc. If the raving of certain Hollywood directors regarding The Avengers script is anything to go on I think Marvel have it all covered
HaroldOfGalactus
HaroldOfGalactus - 3/21/2011, 12:16 PM
This is actually a logical idea. He is the "first avenger" and Fury asks Tony if he thinks he is the only superhero in the world, but Thor and The Hulk have not happened yet. Well, Hulk may be out and about with Banner on the run for a bit before the start of TIH, but perhaps the Avenger Initiative is built around Cap?
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