The cast for ol Cap's first big screen outing is really shaping up now. With all of the principal characters cast, we are still getting news of big name stars like Jones filling the(we assume) smaller roles like that of this Colonel Philips.
Here is the press release in full..
Marvel Studios announced today that Oscar® winning actor Tommy Lee Jones has been cast to star as US Army Colonel Chester Phillips in the studio’s highly anticipated movie CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER opposite Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan and Stanley Tucci. In the early comics, Phillips recruited Steve Rogers to join Project Rebirth, the secret experiment that created the Super Soldier known as Captain America. The character will be updated for the film. Joe Johnston will direct the film penned by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER. Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, Nigel Gostelow and Louis D’Esposito will executive produce. The film will be released in the US on July 22, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
Tommy Lee Jones’ will next be seen in THE COMPANY MEN and is well known for starring in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, the MEN IN BLACK franchise, and THE FUGITIVE for which he won an Academy Award®.
In addition to CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, Marvel Studios most recently released the highly anticipated sequel, IRON MAN 2, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow on May 7, 2010, and will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including THOR on May 6, 2011, and MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012.
Tommy Lee Jones is represented by CAA and attorney Bill Jacobson.
Oscar® and Academy Award® is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
This is pretty cool news. I had only heard Jones mentioned as a very brief rumor myself so I was surprised by this one. His character Colonel Philips in also new to me. Maybe some of you more familiar with Cap comics have heard of him? I couldn't find any info online about him so I thought he might be a new character created for the movie. Anyway, Jones rules so he will most certainly be a great asset to the cast.
Update: Ah, found some info. Colonel Chester Philips is the guy that recruits Steve Rogers into the programme..
General Phillips hand picked 4-F army reject Steve Rogers to become a part of the 1940 Operation Reborn experiment. In particular, he admired Rogers patriotic spirit. Later, Phillips was a part of picking Rogers as the eventual Super-Soldier Captain America. Phillips also oversaw Rogers initial training as well as some of his early missions.