Rumor: Marvel Wants Leonardo DiCaprio For Captain America. Or Brad Pitt.

Posted on Thursday, June 12th, 2008 by Hunter Stephenson

If this rumor(s) seems like it originated in the mind of Captain Obvious, we see your point, but it arrived just minutes ago via a very reputable source/friend site, Latino Review. It seems that Marvel has a shortlist of names for their 2011 tent pole, The First Avenger: Captain America, and at the top is Leonardo DiCaprio followed by Brad Pitt (whose name has previously circulated for 2010’s Thor). This continues the trend of studios “casting up” in major summer blockbusters.

Of course, DiCaprio has a plethora of passion projects, most recently pegged to play Atari and Chuck E. Cheese’s founder Noah Bushnell, that could keep him out of the equation. Either way, here are some thoughts spanning the Net consciousness right now: DiCaprio is a good choice, Matthew McConaughey would have blown chunks as Steve Rogers/Capt. America; DiCaprio is too skinny for the role/shield throwing, I mean, he’s a really good actor though; What studio wouldn’t want DiCaprio to play a superhero? Pfffft.

El Mayimbe at LR says that no official offer has been made to DiCaprio or to Brad Pitt, the other A-lister being considered, but he hints that the trades might pick up this same info months from now. With The Incredible Hulk launching this weekend, Marvel Studios is on a rampage the likes of which we haven’t seen before. Personally, I think DiCaprio would be an awesome choice, nicely modernizing expectations for the prototypical American (super)soldier. Pitt would be the more popular choice with fans, I’m assuming, based on build and photos in office calendars. More on this as it develops… If you didn’t check out our post today on Marvel’s upcoming slate/Jon Favreau’s involvement with Iron Man 2, here’s the link.

Discuss: Who would you rather see rock the shield, DiCaprio or Pitt? Would Pitt be better for Thor or Captain America? How long before Daniel Day-Lewis waves at a stunned pilot in mid-flight?

Comments

SUe

Absoloutely. They need an A-list for Cap.

uh

PITT PITT PITT PITT.

brian

Pitt 's build is much more suited for the role, unless DiCaprio can bulk up a bunch

Bruno

Wouldn't, say, Daniel Craig fit the Cap American's suit a little better? Older, buffer... I think he'd fit better than DiCaprio and surely better than Pitt... we've seen what Pitt can do to a 'super hero' (Achiles)... let us not go through that again, please...

Doctor

Why not an unknown or a lesser known?

SUe

Cap can't carry a movie himself. This isn't Batman or Superman. They need a quality name to add respectabilty and get asses in seats.

Charles D.

I don't see leo in the roll, unless ole Cap American gets into some sissy slap fights...

Hendo

@sue as a long time comic reader... yes he can.
I'm not pointing at you in particular but it really irritates me hearing that so much about so many heroes from people who only know about the big 3 and spiderman.

As for Leo, I don't think he's TOO small. remember, everyone thought Toby was too small to play Spidey but he bulked up and they added the muscle suit... bam. perfect. Then Christian Bale went from 100 pounds to 225 of muscle in 6 months. Cap would have a muscle suit just like Spiderman. It's very hard to get natural muscle to show through spandex unless the symmetry is in your genetics and in most people, well, it's not.

Besides, he didn't exactly look like a stick in The Departed. http://www.cineclub.de/images/2006/12/departed-...

Daemon

Well, I personally wouldn't want to see Daniel Craig in the role, as I just don't think he has the look about him to pull off cap. To me, Cap has a more cleaner look than Craig, who would be more suited to roles of the James Bond spectrum.

But, between Pitt and De-Cap, it's a hard choice. Leo has the superior acting chops in my opinion, although Pitt has done some nice stuff It usually borders in movies without a tone that I think Captain America portraits.

Ultimately, it boils down to the studio's choice between a gritty captain America, Alla Leo, or a more sleek and simple one, Alla Pitt. What we also have to keep in mind is if any of these stars will want to come back for a big screen mash up of stars in the Avengers. We saw Pitt do it in the oceans series, so we know he can share the screen, but we saw if from Leo in the departed.

Personally, I think Pitt looks more like Cap, but would suck as a captain America whenever he spoke. So, who knows.

jfive

I could see Decrapio playing cap he definatly has that all american clean cut look that steve rogers has but he will definatly have to bulk up. Personally i think Matt Damon would make an excellent choice.

Lloyd

Word. I stand by Damon.

Leo

I would take Pitt for Thor..it would like him from Troy. I am not too excited about Leo being Capt America..just not big and tough enough.

Sean Burge

I can not see either of them being Captain America. But I can see Matt Damon.

orange cinema

all these 'casting-up' ideas are great. and it'd be my geek wet dream to see all of those guys sharing screen time in an avengers film - downey, norton, pitt, dicaprio, + whoever for thor, etc.

HOWEVER...

they need to cast up MAJORLY in the writing & directing roles as well. all these heroes/actors need a fearless leader in that directors chair, or the best cast in the world won't be worth shit. (i've said this before) but the two guys who've tossed their names in for the avengers film ain't gonna cut it.

i like the idea of each series having it's own team - writers/directors/editors/crew etc, and then handing the culminating avengers series over to someone else. someone big, and cutthroat, who won't be intimidated by the overwhelming a-list & by then mega-successful cast. someone who won't be afraid to say, "that was a shitty delivery, we're not stopping till you get it right - i don't care how successful you've been so far."

i think freindships form on movie sets, and it can be difficult to tell yer buddy he/she can do better. i feel SM3 is a perfect example of raimi not calling his cast on some horrendous performances.

let the individual series play out with the same teams, and then give it to someone like cameron or fincher. i think guys like that - with the right script, of course - could make an oscar worthy avengers film/franchise. much like the zack snyder watchmen film we will soon have the awe inspiring pleasure of seeing.

gah

@Hunter
Do you actually think LatinoReview was right about the Spider-man casting a few weeks ago and Sony just shot it down for fear that they were actually making a backup plan incase Maguire backed out? Because if they were wrong about that, what makes you think they're right about this?

dvq

werent these two fighting for the lead roll of "World War Z"? (any news about that project?).

Tom

I think Cate blanchett should be captain america

Captain Awesome

Get the guy who was the Italian Spiderman to play Captain America
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhHhXukovMU

This dude is fucking awesome. Easily 100 times better than DiCaprio or Pitt.

Mark

Leonardo DiCaprio as Captain America is beyond retarded. I would love to see an actor of his ilk to play Captain American but Leo doesn't have the right look/body type to do so IMO and for this role I think it's very important.

Matthew McConaughey I think has the right body and look though thats about it.

Brad Pitt would be better than both of DiCaprio and McConaughey but I'm not sure he's got the right look either.

LOTNorm

Cap is a better fit for Pitt than Thor, but I'm not sure either Pitt or DiCaprio are right for the part.

Sheriff Dewey

I was hoping they would go epic for Cap. Something like Edward Zwick directing, Bruce Willis as an old, over the hill Cap trying to find his place in the modern world with flashbacks to WWII. Not sure who could play a young Willis (except Willis) but Dicaprio is too skinny and Pitt is too pretty. What about Ryan Gosling?

Off topic but - Daniel Day for Sub-Mariner.

Matt

Leo is too short. Maybe before the serum. I vote for Mickey Rourke.

WaFFLeS R G00D

you know, I love Dicap as an actor, but for some reason, I can't see him screaming, "YOU THINK THIS A ON MY HEAD STANDS FOR FRANCE?!" for the full force that pitt could deliver.

Dream team though, I'd say

Iron Man - Downey
Hulk - Norton
Thor - Pitt
Cap - Damon

Besides, Damon's got it down with all the Govt movies he does, you know? I can see him being a modest, humble man, laughing and showing a big heart, and then I can see him smashing someone's face off with the shield.

I wonder what other Heroes they may through in or perhaps they'll just stick with these 4 and supposedly Ant-Man?

haha, I'd say Dicap For Ant-Man! I could totally see him casuing some domestic violence!

JoePekula

The Captain America-Brad Pitt rumor has been around since the first X-men movie came out

JFK

If Pitt becomes Cap we need to coin the term the Fincher factor. Edward Norton, Robert Downey Jr, Morgan Freeman all in Hero flicks... with Gyllenhaal's name thrown onto many a table.

Damon for Cap or bust! Pitt might cringe at picking up Thor after taking on Achilles but why not; if they can get the Director of Adventures In Baby Sitting out of the dumpster to do it then my butt will be in a theater seat.

790

Stan Lee has allways said that he wants to see Leonardo DiCaprio play a major Superhero.
So that's where my moneys on.

grafigi

Gerard Butler

he needs a heroic stature, a commanding presence. butler has proven he can play that.someone who can fill out the suit. you want a big, deep voice to call out "Avengers Assemble!" a lot like "This is Sparta!"

Gerard Butler

nuff said.

Anonymous

Hey Matt... DiCaprio is 6', Rourke is 5'11".

There's no mention in these comments about any of these stars not wanting to take on any of these roles. As far as mainstream success goes, a lot of these could come off really poorly / cheesy unless handled with exceptional care by the writers and directors.

I don't see DiCaprio, in particular, signing on to do this when he has so many other projects on the table UNLESS we see some serious talk about the script and possible directors. As of right now, it's just silly speculation.

Jeff

I don't like the idea of Leo, or pitt in the role. If I could post pictures here, I'd show my rendition of who I think would be PERFECT in the role.

Thomas Jane.

I posted the pic up at my site.

Pitt is too pretty and Leo is too short, Damon too shifty - he never looks comfortable in the roles he plays, always tense or to me, unbelievable (everything post GWH). - just like a few comments have pointed out. Jane has the build, the look and the demeanor to pull off Cap - Punisher aside ( chalk that up to a horrible script) Catch him as Mickey Mantel in 61*, there's no doubt.

790

Hey Brody what's your prob?
You sound like an angry dildo.

Captain Awesome

lol @ "You sound like an angry dildo."

Also, fuck you. Hunter is great.

Tim Daly

Tim Daly. Casting credit please.

reslipia

I hear rumors that Triple H (as in WWE and Blade trinity) is up for thor.
Can anyone varify this

Aaron

Didn't I say this in a previous thread?

DiCaprio would be ideal.

Aaron

PS

Nice choice on a Leo pic Peter.

ha

Just Matt

pitt or leo?!? are you kidding me?!?

Fu*K they might as well use bruce willis... NO DONT! DONT! I'd rather you use a Wilson brother. although i should be grateful its not John Cena.

790

Aaron, I'm hearing that Leo's considering the role.

He's the top choice and if he says yes he got the job.

Hunter Stephenson

@ gah

Per SM3, when a studio puts that much effort into shooting down a harmless Internet rumor, take that as you will. ;)

Norman E.

Harrison Ford for Captain America!

No, just a joke, Leo is my favourite.

Let Brad be Thor, or He-Man.

WhoBCap

Niether of them should be looked at for the part, they don't have the "all-American" look about them, they r brilliant actors, but be serious, there aren't many well build actors out there, but in saying that there are some better options out there: Paul Walker (fast and Furious) and Matthew McConaughey, are both slightly more suited for a role of Cap. Leo could pull off Hank Pym (antman). Don't think Brad could pull off a Super hero let alone an Avenger (ok, maybe Deadpool, Brad has that ability to be able to play the strangest characters)...Just an opinion, nothing more...

RAPTUS REGALITER

If we're getting all fanboy'd out with casting this thing, lemme throw in my $00.0001 worth:
Thor.....................Paul "Triple H" Levesque
This is a guy with gobs of charisma and Thor's a loud, boisterous god of fucking thunder (and Rock N' Roll?). Triple H is a loud, boisterous bastard that wields a sledge hammer. Its natural, guys.
Cap'N America.......Matt Damon
Or Mark Wahlberg. Both are capable and can pull off Wholesome White American really well. I think something that should be dabbled with is Cap should have a twinge of what's considered by today's standard, some racist views. It further cements his fish out of water experience in the 21st century.
Cap'n Brittain........Jason Statham
Kinda a no-brainer here.
Ant Man..............Simon Pegg
Isn't Simon working on this with Nick Frost? How will it factor into the Avengers plans?

Anonymous

Ummm.... DiCaprio is taller than Pitt, Damon, and Thomas Jane.

Marc Shake

Funny: Matt Damon? Wasn't that the guy where everybody was annoyed of BEFORE he made the Bourne-Series? I would love to see him, too but it's funny how somebody can change from a complete douche-bag to a respected action-actor.

Brad Pitt for Captain America is a bad idea. Unless that movie turns out to be as sick as Fight Club, then BP is perfect :)

Anonymous

@Marc Shake .... yep, that's what three fantastic action movies with some of the best chases and stunts put to screen plus a great Scorsese crime drama will do for you. Imagine that.

Tabor

I don't really like either Pitt or Dicaprio for Cap. Mark Wahlberg or Paul Walker wouldn't be a bad idea though.

nancy

Matt Damon for Captain America (He was pretty good in the Bourne Identity series). Brad Pitt for Thor (Thor is Achilles with lightning bolts).
::squeals with excitement::

Cameron

Out of the two I'd much rather Pitt. Someone mentioned Ryan Gosling above though and I think that could be a really fantastic choice. His last couple performances have been amazing and he looks like he has the frame to bulk up well for the role.

Matt Damon might be ok, but somehow he doesn't seem "superheroy" enough. As for Paul Walker all I can say is please god no...

Randy

if dicaprio is cap, im never going to see another comic book movie again. honestly casting him for cap is just like george clooney for batman....

hollywood

don't be so sure. leo is a much better actor than pitt and clooney. i just don't see him in this type of role, he doesn't play these type of roles. but, he's very dynamic and technically gifted in playing something different. i bet you he could pull it off very well.

J'osh

I second Danial Craig. When I was watching "Casino Royale" I was thinking he would be ideal. Even then as I sat there I factored in a few things. One of the bigger concerns is selling Cap to over-seas audiences. Cast Craig and that issue is greatly alleviated. Also I assume that any Cap movie is going to lean more on the "Ultimate" source material, this later confirmed by the use of Sam L as Nick Fury. That stuff is a lot less focused on "rah rah America", again perfect for international audiences. Also the Ultimate stuff portrays cap as much more a brawler from the streets of Brooklyn type. Thus eliminating the need for a clean-cut aw shucks look. Craig has the look, the chops and the physicality. Plus I'd imagine he's a might cheaper.

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Rumor: Marvel Wants Leonardo DiCaprio For Captain America. Or Brad Pitt.

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Rumor: Marvel Wants Leonardo DiCaprio For Captain America. Or Brad Pitt.

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