Last week, I ran a survey to rank the top characteristics of how we want to see Captain America. I asked you to rank them from 1 to 7 with 1 being the most important characteristic you wanted to see in the upcoming film. I'd like to thank those that participated in this. I also used data from Ron's similar editorial: Who Is Captain America?
So, here are the categories with the results in red:
1. ACTING Average rank score: 1.79 Standard deviation: 1.3
No one wants to see a poorly acted movie, no one. How important is this when compared to looks or other Cap characteristics? Do you need to see a top list thespian who will be trading lines with the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, etc…? Does a relative rookie who can do a decent enough job fit the bill as long as he nails the overall look?
2. HEIGHT / BUILD Average rank score: 3.90 Standard deviation: 1.7
Marvel lists Captain America at 6’2” and 220 pounds. Most illustrations make him look even larger. As most any comic book character is drawn to the height of physical appearance it will be very difficult to fully look like Cap unless you are a world class athlete or WWE star. Height is crucial too as Cap will be interacting with the likes of Thor and Iron Man in the Avengers movie(s). Most will agree that Hugh Jackman did a terrific job as Wolverine but his 6’4” height was pretty evident.
3. AGE Average rank score: 4.20 Standard deviation: 1.2
This starts out as an origin movie with Steve Rogers just setting out into the adult world and becoming the super soldier. Actors being mentioned for the role are ranging in age from early twenties of some unknowns to as old as 46 (Brad Pitt). How close should the Actor portraying Cap be to his character? Keep in mind if everything goes well, we are looking at a role that could be held for over 10 years in both solo and Avengers movies.
4. HEAD Average rank score: 4.90 Standard deviation: 2.2
Blond hair, blue eyes and a square jaw are some of the key aspects of this beloved comic book icon. Obviously, hair dye and contacts can take care of the first two but you want it to look right or is that not a big of importance when compared with everything else. If the actor has a soft chin, will that stop you dead in your tracks right there.?
5. LEADERSHIP Average rank score: 3.94 Standard deviation: 1.8
Captain America is a leader of men. He has to be someone you are willing to follow into Hell if need be. He also has to be someone that some of the most powerful beings in the world will follow and trust. Where does this rank among our ingredients?
6. NATIONALITY Average rank score: 4.65 Standard deviation: 1.9
I almost didn’t put this in but it is a hot button topic for some. Does Captain America need to be played by an American? Is the role so iconic that no one else will do? Is it a role played by an actor and you want the best person, no matter where they are from, to play him?
7. COSTUME Average rank score: 3.11 Standard deviation: 1.8
This has been another issue thrown around a lot. In regards to this ranking it doesn’t matter which costume is used (WWII, classic or ultimate to name a few). The big question is how important is any costume next to the other categories as far as being on the big screen. My guess is we will see different versions as the movie goes from origin story to present day to Avengers team up. Feel free to state what you want to see most and I will compile that data as well.
So, here is the ranking by order of importance:
1. Acting
2. Costume
3. Height / Build
4. Leadership
5. Age
6. Nationality
7. Head
What does the standard deviation tell us? Well in a nutshell, the bigger the number, the larger of a range of data scores. This means that we were all very similar in ranking Acting as #1 and Age as #5. Not surprisingly, we all want to see Cap well acted. Age is not as large of an issue for the majority of us as well so maybe there is hope for some of the older Actors being tossed around.
It also means that people voted the most differently on Head and Nationality characteristics. Many people that voted Head at 5 to 7 commented about hair dye, contacts or that acting will pull through. Nationality was all over the board as well.
Some voted these were all important or gave top scores to almost all categories. Obviously we want to see all these categories up there but unless we make this a Pixar film that will never happen. Acting blew all other categories out of the water. Costume came in next-we want to see a well translated uniform in this adaptation. The next closest characteristics were Height/Build and Leadership. Based on the scores and comments, we want to see someone fill out the uniform and be able to lead men/superheroes into battle. Hopefully Marvel, Joe Johnston, casting directors, etc... are looking at these characteristics as closely as we are.
Who should wield the shield? Until he is announced, that question will be hotly debated.