Captain America’s Movie Costume Details
Feb 7, 2010 by Rob KeyesLike many comic book characters, simply lifting a costume design from the source material into a live-action adaptation may not work or make sense within …
Like many comic book characters, simply lifting a costume design from the source material into a live-action adaptation may not work or make sense within the context of which the story is taking place. Case in point: The X-Men and the major changes in costume design from books to movies.
That being said, sometimes it can be done right as we saw with Zack Snyder’s Watchmen. But what will director Joe Johnston do to include, introduce and utilize Captain America’s iconic costume design? He does have an idea for how to bring in a character costume that’s designed based on the nation’s flag into the movie but it’s not something we’ve ever encountered in the comics.
LA Times’ Hero Complex interviewed the director yesterday and here’s Joe Johnston’s explanation:
“The costume is a flag, but the way we’re getting around that is we have Steve Rogers forced into the USO circuit. After he’s made into this super-soldier, they decide they can’t send him into combat and risk him getting killed. He’s the only one and they can’t make more. So they say, ‘You’re going to be in this USO show’ and they give him a flag suit. He can’t wait to get out of it.”
He continues to explain how this plot point was obviously never in the books because in the comics it was unneeded and it makes sense for heroes to sport extreme costumes. In a major motion picture, this has to be introduced or explained so it makes sense within the realism of the movie and for the suspension of disbelief of mainstream moviegoers.
“It was never in the comics… 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.”
I know there will be hardcore fans upset at this idea but I can see both sides and understand where Johnston is coming from. They do have to explain why the heck Steve Rogers would wear this thing during the war. However, what the director said later on the subject in detail may concern fans even more.
We know Cap will be a super soldier who they don’t want to waste, so they throw him in the United Services Organizations, the group responsible for entertaining and boosting the morale of soldiers overseas during wartime. This is how he gets the costume, but what we can we expect from his involvement in USO exactly?
“So he’s up on stage doing songs and dances with chorus girls and he can’t wait to get out and really fight. When he does go AWOL, he covers up the suit but then, after a few things happen, he realizes that this uniform allows him to lead. By then, he’s become a star in the public mind and a symbol. The guys get behind him because he embodies something special.”
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At first I had concerns with the comment that Rogers can't wait to get the (flag-like) costume off, but then this:
“he rips it off and then reclaims some of its imagery after he recognizes the value of it.”
makes me feel much better about the whole thing.
Ok , I think the USO angle is actually a pretty clever way to Cap into a costume and still make it believable.
I get that.
I like that .
but pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
please……………. please don't have Cap doing song and dance routines !!!!!!!!
I cringe at the very thought.
I may have to just close my eyes for that dance routine.
other than that …………….
I'm getting really excited about this one , it sounds like it could be fun
What??? What is wrong with “sporting” the colors for SUPPORT of the USA and to demoralize the enemy? Not to mention the “mail” portion to protect him?
Sorry I dont feel “better” about this…. Why are they deviating from something “easialy explained..??
MAAAAAAN, i really hope they don't put Captain America singing and dancing for the troops… this sounds so silly, so corny!!!
I can see the song and dance stuff actually being beneficial to the character development here. You hate the idea of seeing him do those things, so just imagine how much the character Steve Rogers must hate it. The USO would be making a complete spectacle of him, which would totally explain why he'd be so eager to rip off the uniform and get away. I think it makes the whole situation much more understandable.
I for one (and a fast growing number) think that the USO idea is brilliant itself. Seeing how Cap is the only one of the army that never came, the US Army is going to make him as much of a moral boost as much as possible. I think the USO dance sequence is going to be written as a comical scene and justifies for the General Audience as to why he's so bright and shiny. Sure it'll be cheesy, but it will explain why he's so colorful and why he's in the suit. I think when he goes AWOL we'll see the new suit which is what he'll also “die” in.
Oh for Christmas sake! Just keep the bloody costume! People know this is a comic book character, they accepted and loved the Spider-Man costume left as is. Batman, Superman are all accepted. And yes, you could even do the X-Men in classic garb and no one is going to have a fit. Don't over think it, don't do stupid song and dances, just put him in his damn costume and film a great adventure.
I think it can work, I'm more excited about Thor anyways so who cares
I'm just kidding. I'm just anxious to see who they pick and who they bring in as the supporting cast. I figure most of Hollywood would love to be a part of a production like this.
i WANT TO THROW UP,WHAT KIND OF DRUGS IS HE USING? wHY NOT A STRIGHT FORWARD STORY THAT FOLLOWS ,THE CHARCTERS HISTORY?
I want you to stop using Caps Lock.
Guys. It's a movie. Movies always change the source material in some way. I'm only surprised that people are still surprised by this fact.
And OF COURSE it's not going to be anti-American in any way. They are insisting on a American actor for christ's sake. It's going to honor the character and what he represents – Marvel isn't stupid.
As far as the USO stuff – it might be funny if done right. Iron Man made a robot arm funny and enjoyable to watch.
because red white and blue dont make for good camo
They'd better have Robert Downey Jr. and Jon Favereau there when they do final auditions to see what kind of chemistry they'll get with him and RDJ. I'd value RDJ's opinion on who'd have the most believable acting chops on screen with RDJ. You can't have RDJ out perfrorming this actor. They need to screen test him with RDJ before finalizing their choice. Marvel please pay Robert Downey Jr. to be there as a casting assistant for Captain America PLEASE!!!!!!
Thats the whole point. Captain America was never about “hiding”. He was at the front leading. The “thought” of this Red White and Blue clad soldier rushing into the enemy was enough to give second thought. Then those surviving soldiers told others. Psychological warfare at its best.
EPIC FAIL! These ideas are terrible. The US Govt creates a super soldier and doesn't want him to fight so they make him do song and dance…?? HAHAHAHA Ridiculous. Hard to believe that would be the best creative solution. I've lost all faith in Johnston to handle this project. If the US Govt couldn't recreate that you think they'd send him out there to do song and dance? Man, how about pick up The Ultimates Volume 1 and do your homework, Mr, Johnston!
That does sound cheesy, a song and dance … But, think of like the scene in Spider Man where Spidey makes his debut in a wrestling ring. It happens and when it's over the story progresses quickly and makes you forget it. I wonder if JJ is trying to undersell and over achieve. I bet it's like how Favreau kept us guessing with Iron Man.
I like it. I'm for it.
I know that Hemsworth screentested with RDJ early in the process so who knows about this one.
Speak for yourself. I think the USO idea is terrible. Or shall I say it like you. I for one (and a fast growing number) think that the USO idea is a terrible idea in of itself and should be omitted from the Captain America lore forever.
Yea funny strange, not funny haha. Kind of like goth Peter Parker in Spider-man 3.
Yeah Rob and I think that was an excellent idea to do that and it has all kinds of implications with it. Get Favereau in there to help keep it on track too. The actor might do well with the solo film but might get his ass handed to him in terms of talent by RDJ and Sam Jackson in “Avnegers”. He's gotta have incredible acting chops to be able to convincingly order RDJ around and the others which will be a massive task. That's why it's so essential that at least RDJ be there to give his honest opinion.
My comment reflected the fact that it seems like by the end of the movie he comes to understand the positive aspects of the symbolism.
Makes perfect sense. I mean, soldiers in real wars go into battle in multicolored uniforms all the time!
I hear the new uniform for American Troops was inspired by a Cirque De Solei costume.
Nah it's cool dude, he has a lower case “i” and “w” in there. It's chill.
theres a good looking concept drawing someone did on deviantart a while back, i think you guys posted it here before.
that concept drawing would look so good on screen, he had armor, metal helm painted blue and his shield wasnt completely indestructible
I'm going to reserve judgment. At this point in the process, the USO has both ups and down depending on what way each person wants to look at it. I'm gonna wait until either I get more details or the movie just comes out. I can't tell if Johnston intelligently incorporated this into the story to make it more real or if he's taking creative leaps and being ridiculous.
So I'm reserving judgment.
He already knows the symbolism. Hence the reason he volunteered to support in any way he could.
As for your comment Xig… he still wears it regardless its not like they are changing the colors..
Steve Roger was just lucky to being successfully gone through the experiment to become a super soldier while many lost their lives. While the scientist still do not have the answer of how Steve able to survive. They thought that he is still too valuable to risk his life in the war zone, at least for the moment until they figure out how to duplicate.
So in the attempt to keep him close wth the scientist that want to continue study him they put him in USO in the hope the scientist may able to create more super soldier before they cld sent Steve to the battle zone.
What do you think abt the above explanation? Does it sound more logical for those nerd fans to accept this fact? Stop winding & complaining till watch the damn movie, okay?
I see your point but going the song and dance route makes since. I have a feeling hes not going to be up there shaking it like “Shakira,” but more like Frank Sinatra. Think of the military's Honor Guard. They're are practically “Toy Soldiers.” Just there to look good and put on a show. Cap wont like it and decide its not what he signed on for.