CAPTAIN AMERICA to be played by Chris Evans, the Human Torch from F4

Now this is good casting. Chris Evans, also known as the Human Torch from the Fantastic Four movies, is set to play Captain America, reports Variety. If you recall, he was probably the only reason to watch the two F4 films, with a sarcastic, self-involved sense of humor that served the role well. I've been rooting for him since he's the only thing that might save the idea of a Captain America movie in a post WWII world.

For those less geeky than I, Captain America and his alter ego Steve Rogers, began as a superhero who fought the Axis powers during World War II. His main villains are fascists, communists, Nazis, and terrorists. If I remember correctly, he was put in suspended animation after WWII, but Captain America has lived on, in one form or another, ever since. Much like Batman, he has no real powers, but took a super syrum which turned him into the perfect human specimen. He is everything humanity has to offer. I suppose, by connection, America does as well. In the new film, Captain America will fight Nazis and then somehow get frozen and thawed into modern day. Will he recognize the America he left? Could be interesting.

The road to Captain America has been a public one. Chris Evans beat out contenders such as John Krasinksi, Chace Crawford, Patrick Flueger, Ryan Phillippe, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Cassidy, Scott Porter and Wilson Blethel for the role. It's a great gig for Evans, who has yet to produce a hit outside of the Fantastic Four movies. Let's hope they find a way to tone down the bright costume or it might end up looking like the 1990 movie (seen below).

Update on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by Jeffrey Van Camp

I forgot to mention that Hugo Weaving has signed on to play Red Skull, Captain America's villain. The female lead hasn't been casted yet.