The Return of Captain America…
Jun 16, 2009 by Rob KeyesFind out how the timing of the return of Captain America in the comics might tie into the upcoming movie.
The First Avenger: Captain America is one of the four big budget summer blockbusters on Marvel’s official slate of upcoming films. Along with the Iron Man franchise, The Incredible Hulk and Thor, Captain America is getting his own origin film to establish his character in Marvel movie continuity all culminating to the main event: The Avengers.
It’s fantastic timing for Marvel to be doing this with their own fast-growing studio during the era of comic book films, but for Captain America, the timing seemed a little off in terms of lining up with the comics since the character the movie is based on is dead – and has been for over two years.
Well, that’s not going to be the case for long and it’s no coincidence in timing.
Captain America originated back in the 1940s and since that time, he’s been portrayed mainly by the character of Steve Rogers. At least, up until March of 2007 when writer Ed Brubaker had him assassinated in Captain America #25 (Volume 5) at the conclusion of the major Marvel crossover event, Civil War. The Civil War saga saw all the heroes and villains of the Marvel universe pick one of two sides: With the government and their Superhuman Registration Act lead by Tony Stark (Iron Man) or with Captain America’s freedom fighters who fought against it.
Killing off the character was a successful plan by the writers, looking back and seeing how much coverage it was given by mainstream media. Now they’re attempting to do that again by doing the opposite and likely bringing Steve Rogers back from the dead. Of course, he wasn’t going to be dead forever, or even for a long time for that matter – it’s surprising his “death” lasted as long as it did (far longer than Superman‘s death following the Doomsday storyline). When you think about it, they need to capitalize on the timing with the major blockbuster Marvel films that will feature the star-spangled Hero.
According to several reports and plenty of online buzz, Captain America #600 (which officially comes out tomorrow, June 17th), sets up the return of Steve Rogers. Since Rogers’ death, his friend Bucky Barnes has taken up the mantle and sported the new Captain America suit. What will happen with Steve coming back? Will there be two Captain Americas or will Bucky step down… or something else?
Bucky’s Cap outfit by Alex Ross [click to enlarge]
On July 1st, the five-issue mini-series Captain America: Reborn begins which will truly see the return of Steve Rogers and according to Bleeding Cool, comic retailers everywhere have apparently been encouraged to stock up on these issues and given incentives to do so in order to tie in to some “major Marvel news.”
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It was only a matter of time before they found a way to resurrect Steve Rogers, and I’m glad he’ll be back. My only issue with the whole thing (and don’t tell me it’s coincidence) is his death happening during the waning months of the Bush administration and now that everyone is all “change happy” it’s time to bring Rogers back as the positive symbol of America.
Vic
Cant argue with your logic there vic
No Channing Tatum. Nothin against the guy, but he’s already in G.I. Joe. One real American Hero per person please.
what about the guy from one tree hills, i don’t remember his name. he the blonde one,he look tough enough.
What everybody seems to be skipping though is…does steve even want to take the mantle away from Bucky? After Cival War, his ideals have been drugged throught he mud by an idoit woman (is she dead yet, by a skrull distengration gun I hope?) made some bad decisions that got two people killed (punisher) and probably feels like he has failed in his cause and maybe its time for Bucky to be a new symbol.
“The First Avenger: Captain America”
Will this be an Origin story?
I sort of feel like this should be a little more like The Incredible Hulk, don’t show his origin, place it in modern times where some people are trying to brings Captain America back. Exosition could be given in flashback form or through just some guy explaining it (or, with luck, we’d have a good screenwriter/director and they’d come up with a different way to deliver exposition).
I feel that that would make a better movie than the film by numbers superhero origin story we’ve all become accustomed to.
I agree with Joshi, somewhat, the origins have been done over and over for superheroes that didn’t need them told(Spiderman, Batman, Superman) but as iconic as he is not that many people know Captain America, I still hear people refer to him as “Captain of America” so telling his story wouldn’t hurt. Also the heroes I mentioned had animated shows based on them, Cap hasn’t had one in decades aside from appearences in Spiderman and The Avengers, and the Ultimate Avengers animated movies tell his story from Marvel’s Ultimate Universe instead of the mainstream. So it would be good to see it retold and it will allow the actor chosen to get an understand of who Steve Rogers is and why he became the Star-Spangled hero Captain America.
Well Vic, he’ll be back to watch our economy collapse. $1.6 trillion? Psh, we can afford it, nevermind that $0.48 of every dollar we are spending now is borrowed already…
Hopefully it’s just a coincidence and that it has more to do with them wanting to hype the news for the upcoming filming, but I doubt that because they would have timed it closer to the release of the film, not the pre-production of it…
@Weapon 420
By all means, explain his origins, but I feel it would be better if they did it in a different way to how most Superhero origin movies do it.
I say take a leaf out of Daredevil’s book (I know what I just said, hear me out), they esentiall explained the origin in the first 20 minutes and then the rest of the film was him being him, not a lot of time was spent on him “discovering his abilities” it was just sort of a flash forward type thing. There are plenty of things wrong with that movie, but it’s story’s structure wasn’t terrible.
Just like Superman’s death back in the 90′s, Captain America’s death wasn’t very well written. It was all to get a few bucks and a little attention from the media. It worked like a charm, but I don’t think even Marvel realized just how extraordinary a writer they had on hand in Ed Brubaker who was able to actually fashion a great new Captain America in Bucky. It will be interesting to see how Marvel deals with what amounts now to be two popular characters wearing the same costume.
But yes, I agree with Vic, it was inevitable that Steve Rogers would come back, and especially with the movie coming up. And yes, Captain America has been used as indirect propaganda first against the Taliban terrorists (right after 9/11) and then against the Bush administration almost right away afterwards (how quickly they turn around!), and I think everybody agrees these were poorly written stories.
I’m glad it’s all behind us now, and I hope they’ll keep Cap America out of real life politics from now on.
I’ve been collecting comics for about 6 years, since I got out of the Marine Corps. A piece of me died when the Captain fell. Im glad he’s finally back and I can’t wait for the movie. Im very excited it’s going to set in WWII. Long live Captain America. We need him.
of course they would come up with a way to bring back rogers and it is a good thing but timing is odd.
Chris Pine for Captain America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How about Colin Ferguson as Cap?!
http://screenrant.com/op-ed-cast-colin-ferguson-as-captain-america-heath-937/
Btw, in the 1980s, Cap was forced to resign as Cap and he became “The Captain.” He even fought Iron Man during the legendary Armor Wars saga (Tony Stark made him a new shield). John Walker was the new Captain America but that didn’t last too long and he later became US Agent (and wore a cool suit during Force Works, the best portrayal of US Agent, imo).
heath
Josh Duhamel for Cap
btw, I think it’s been speculated for a while that the movie would take place mostly in WW2, with him being thawed out in Avengers. My favorite comic book cover (at least top 3) is Avengers 4!
http://marvel.wikia.com/wiki/Comics:Avengers_Vol_1_4
Avengers Assemble!
heath
I’m a bit confused here; according to the article, Bucky takes on the mantle of Captain America after Rogers is killed, yet it also says Bucket was with Cap in WW2. Cap was frozen, so we know why he is young in the present but what about Bucky? Was he also frozen?
Yes, this has been a long time coming but I also suspect that this has been the plan all along. Creative at Marvel killed Cap with the intention of bringing him back.
Marvel has recently been quite political with their comic books, so it’s no doubt a nudge toward our current political climate. I’d go so far as to say: the reason it took so long was because the US wouldn’t holster their pistol, why would Bucky Barnes (current Capt.) holster his?
All that’s left, is who will be cast as Captain America.
@Kahless
Originally he was killed, but his story was retconned to include his being frozen as well and discovered by the Russians who turned him into Winter Soldier.
Vic
How about that now extremly Juiced up Clash of the Titans- Terminator Salvation guy?? Looks like Steve Rogers to me. Too bad Brad Pitt and Matthew McConahey are both 50ish instead of 35ish either would make a great cap. If I had a time machine I could go back to 1968 and pluck Shatner from the timestream as young Capt. Shatner-Kirk would be a perfect Cap. If anyone says John Cena please just go away and take your axe body spray with you (Morons- premptive!!)
Also if Kiefer were closer to 35 than 50 and on the hollywood funny Balco vitamin workout plan he could be great.
Same with Russell Crowe.
Sad is it going to be that we need to go over seas to find a man’s man action star once again for an iconic All American hero role because our younger generation of actors are such effenimate and or too much of a wannabe hip hop streets guy who grew up in affluent white suburbs, shaved eyebrow sexually ambiguous, Ken Doll, pussies??? Sigh,… maybe they could use an unknown, a real living breathing USMC or Navy Seal with chisled Country Boy loooks and teach him to act??
If not my vote goes to the juiced up Terminator Salvation-Clash of the Titans guy (another Aussie because our hollywood has been emasculated under the age of 40) or how about Leo?? He could juice up and make it work too
Anyway I am glad Steve Rogers is back. I quit comics after Civil War. Maybe it’s time to get back in.
Woah, hold on there, I’m not entirely sure Brad Pitt or Matthew McConahey are out of the question.
Robert Downey Jr. is 44, and with Pitt at 45, it’s not that far off. McConahey is just shy of 40 (I think).
McConohey cannot play captain america…cmon now he’s teh guy from teh sappy kate hudson movies and chick flicks…i could see bradd pittt doing it, but im no so sure he’d be willing to do it
the whole bringing ct americam back from the comics was inevitible and everyyone knew it was coming…Nobody stays dead in a superhero world…its just teh way it goes
@tasouli
That’s why they’re called actors, they act. Granted I would be happier with someone else in the role, but I don’t think McConahey would do a terrible job.
Sam Worthington wouldn’t be bad either, too bad he’s an Aussie.
MARK VALLEY (HUMAN TARGET SERIES THIS FALL) SHOULD BE THE NEW CPTAIN AMERICA..JOE JOHNSTON OR CASTING DIRECTOR LOOKING FOR A CAPTAIN..THATS YOUR GUY..LOOK ON YOUTUBE, HE HAS THAT AMERICANA SUPERSOLDIER LOOK..AND HE CAN KICK BUTT
@CARL-HE SOUNDED AMERICAN IN TERMINATOR, THE GUY IS AN ACTOR..HUGH LAURIE SHOCKED SOME PEOPLE..THE GUY HAS A STRONG ACCENT IN REAL LIFE..
BRAD PITT WOULD BE A GOOD CHOICE, SEE HIM IN TROY? HE’S AWSOME WHEN HE COMMITS..THE GUY HAS 1000 KIDS..AT SOME POINT HE HAS TO MAKE SOMETHING HIS KIDS WILL WATCH..I DONT KNOW IF A A-LISTER LIKE HIM WOULD COMMIT TO A THREE MOVIE DEAL PLUS A AVENGER MOVIE
-I STRONGLY THINK THEY SHOULD GO WITH A UNKNOWN…..MARK VALLEY….
@GUNSMITH
Mark Valley would be a pretty sweet choice too, but I question his acting ability. I haven’t seen him in much, just Fringe and that wasn’t enough.
And there’s A-listers already onboard: Downey, Sam Jackson. I think lots of Hollywood is going to want in on Marvel’s money train.
ps. what up with the CAPS lock?
McConaughey would be an awesome choice in my opinion..Look at Reign of Fire he was great in that as the leader of the marines and Captain AMerica has charisma and McConaughey has plenty of that…