Will Johnny Storm Play Captain America?

Category: TV/Film | 74 Comments | Print Article

Fri, March 19th, 2010 at 4:14pm PDT|Updated: March 19th, 2010 at 4:25pm

Chris Evans may be eyeing the lead of "The First Avenger: Captain America."

Chris Evans may be on his way to pulling double duty in the Marvel Universe.

The Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog is today reporting that the actor best known amongst comic fans as Johnny "The Human Torch" Storm in Fox's two "Fantastic Four" movies has been offered the role of Steve "Captain America" Rogers by Marvel Films and director Joe Johnston. Neither Marvel or Evans agency CAA would confirm that the part was on the table for Evans to take, but the star was on the recent short list of candidates who were reading to take the lead in the World War II-era superhero movie titled "The First Avenger: Captain America" during weeks of wide speculation and rumor.

If Evans does indeed take the part, it will be the fourth comics role he's played in the past decade as he'll co-star in two upcoming comic book films slated for summer. The actor plays sharp shooter Jensen in the April 23 adaptation of Andy Diggle and Jock's Vertigo series "The Losers" and evil ex-boyfriend Lucas Lee in Edgar Wright's take on Bryan Lee O'Malley's "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The Universe" slated for August 13 release.

However, Captain America would be the first leading superhero role for the star, whose only box office experience anchoring a film came with the 2009 action flick "Push." If rumors of Marvel hoping to land an actor with some recognizability but also without a major salary demand, Evans could fit the bill.

Stay tuned to CBR for more news on "The First Avenger: Captain America" as it becomes official.

Discuss this story in CBR's TV/Film forum.  |  74 Comments

Tags:  marvel studios, captain america, chris evans, the first avenger: captain america, steve rogers