Will Smith To Play Captain America?

I’ve stated quite a few times here on HN about how impressed I am with how Marvel is handling turning their comics into movies these days. Instead of icensing their properties to other studios which let some over zealous director go crazy with it, they have created their own studio which has come up with a very successful two point formula for making comic book movies. That formula being; get really good actors and stay close to the comic book source material. The results? A excellent Iron Man movie starring Robert Downy Jr. and a pretty good Incredible Hulk film starring Edward Norton.

Recently Marvel announced what movies they plan on doing next. One of those films is Captain America. Since the then various names have been rumored to be cast as the classic super hero. Leonardo DiCaprio being the one that has stuck the most. However today we are hearing that Will Smith was offered the role. A bit of an odd choice considering the character has always been portrayed as a blonde haired blue eyed white guy. The rumor came via actor Derek Luke while talking to MTV

Though it is likely nothing more than a rumor it would not be the first time Will Smith has taken on a role that was previously played by a white man (remember Wild Wild West?). And it is an interesting thought that as we are on the verge of a black man, Barack Obama, becoming the new face of America that that image may be represented in the movie as well.

Tags: America?, Captain, Play, Smith, To, Will

Comment by Nat Turner on September 9, 2008 at 9:23pm: Marvel had a series called "Truth" a few years ago that took place during WWII. It was loosely based on the Tuskeegee Experiment with a fictional twist to it. The government was using its black army soldiers to try to create a "Super Soldier" so Will Smith playing the role of Captain America is not that far fetched.

Comment by 4Chun500 on September 10, 2008 at 7:14am: The Original Captain America Was Black Anyway. Don't Believe Me? Then Google The Black Captain America. My President is Black My Cap Is Too..

Comment by A-Trane on September 10, 2008 at 1:21pm: The original Captain America was not black; that was outside the Marvel Universe created 53 years later.

Comment by LexHeyden on September 10, 2008 at 1:48pm: "Marvel had a series called "Truth" a few years ago that took place during WWII." Marvel is revamping and trying to expand past their typical audience. The first cap was black, and most of marvel beginnings have been tweaked since they came out.