Hugo Weaving Finally Confirmed to Play Red Skull in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel has sent out a press release confirming that Hugo Weaving will play the villain Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger.  We reported in March that Weaving was in talks to play the role of the red-skulled Nazi.  Some have been ambivalent about Chris Evans taking the title role, citing that the actor is too young and hasn’t demonstrated the gravitas necessary for the part (my rebuttal to the latter point: Danny Boyle’s Sunshine).  But with Weaving, there can be no argument that he’ll make a great antagonist.  The character is a military genius with whose weapon of choice is his “Dust of Death”, which kills its victim in seconds and leaves them with a shriveled red skull.  But what makes it badass is that he plays, hums, or whistles Chopin’s funeral march.

Hit the jump to check out the full press release.  Captain America: The First Avenger.

Here’s the full press release from Marvel:

Hugo Weaving Confirmed as the Red Skull in

Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel Studios announced today that Hugo Weaving has been cast to star as Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull in the studio’s highly anticipated movie CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER opposite Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell.  In the early comics, Johann Schmidt was drafted into loyal service of The Third Reich and renamed “The Red Skull”.  The character will be updated for the feature adaptation.  Joe Johnston will direct the film penned by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER.  Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel and Louis D’Esposito will executive produce.  The film will be released in the US on July 22, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.

Weaving was last seen in THE WOLFMAN and his voice is very recognizable as Megatron from TRANSFORMERS and TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN as well as Noah the Elder from HAPPY FEET.  His other film credits include starring in V FOR VENDETTA, THE MATRIX franchise, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy.

In addition to CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including the highly anticipated sequel, IRON MAN 2, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow on May 7, 2010, THOR on May 6, 2011, and Marvel Studios’ THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012.

Weaving is represented by CAA, Shanahan Management and attorney David Weber.

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