[Update: So John Krasinki isn't Captain America but Chris Evans is now in the running!]

Wow, it seems like everybody is getting in on this Captain America casting news - never have I seen hype this big for a super hero role!

The latest word - after weeks of Captain America casting rumors - is that John Krasinski  is Marvel Studios' favorite prospective Cap and that the role is "His to lose."

So is Jim from The Office really going to end up starring in The First Avenger: Captain America?

This latest Captain America casting rumor isn't even coming from the usual culprits on the blogosphere (Screen Rant) but rather from Fox News, of all places.

FOX 411, the entertainment blog, claims to have an insider close to these Captain America casting proceedings and that source is the one claiming that Krasinski is about to land this massive role:

"John has read 4 times and is doing screen tests...He has screen tested 2 times so far.  It's very likely that he will be the new Captain America.  He is a favorite among the key decision makers and has been asked to come back for more this week."

"It's a surprise and we are bracing ourselves for 'that guy from 'The Office'' to land Captain America.  They are not really looking at the other guys, so it's time to get ready to work with him."

tommy lee jones chester phillips captain america

For the rest of the exclusive quotes about Krasinski's standing with Marvel, you'll have to check out FOX 411.

First of all, shout out to our friends over at Cinematical for calling Krasinski as Cap almost a month ago. Secondly, I like Krasinski a lot, love him on The Office and he showed strong chops in Sam Mendes' Away We Go last year. He certainly isn't my first choice for Cap, but then, Chris Hemsworth as Thor wasn't really on my radar either until it was announced. By now, the idea of Hemsworth playing the God of Thunder has settled in quite nicely.

Captain America The Avengers Joe Johnston

Hemsworth, Krasinski(?) and Robert Downey Jr. as The Avengers?

Hemsworth and Krasinski onscreen together as Cap and Thor would be a good look for sure, leaving poor Robert Downey Jr. to play the elder Iron Man to these young whipper-snappers.

[Update: Mike Fleming at Deadline has the exclusive that Krasinki and a few other candidates are out of the running and that it's now down to Mike Vogel, Garrett Hedlund and ... Chris Evans.]

On a positive note: having dealt with fanatical white-collar fans thanks to his role on The Office, Krasinski is probably used to appeasing nerds. He'll be a shoe-in at Comic Con.

We're going to keep this space open, as I suspect this Captain America casting saga is about to come to a swift close - so CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!!!!

The First Avenger: Captain America is expected to hit theaters on July 22, 2011.

Source: FOX411