Tommy Lee Jones CONFIRMED to Play General Chester Phillips in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel Studios has just sent out a press release confirming (again) that Tommy Lee Jones will play General Chester Phillips in Joe Johnston’s Captain America: The First Avenger.  A month ago, actress Hayley Atwell (who plays the Captain’s love-interest Peggy Carter) confirmed the rumor that Jones was in the film.

In their press release, Marvel says “In the early comics, Phillips recruited Steve Rogers to join Project Rebirth, the secret experiment that created the Super Soldier known as Captain America. The character will be updated for the film.”  Chris Evans is playing Steve Rogers/Captain America.  Hit the jump to check out the press release.  Captain America: The First Avenger hits theaters on July 22, 2011.

Here’s the press release:

Tommy Lee Jones Confirmed as Colonel Phillips in

Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel Studios announced today that Oscar® winning actor Tommy Lee Jones has been cast to star as US Army Colonel Chester Phillips in the studio’s highly anticipated movie CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER opposite Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan and Stanley Tucci.  In the early comics, Phillips recruited Steve Rogers to join Project Rebirth, the secret experiment that created the Super Soldier known as Captain America. The character will be updated for the film. 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, Nigel Gostelow 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.

Tommy Lee Jones’ will next be seen in THE COMPANY MEN and is well known for starring in NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, THE THREE BURIALS OF MELQUIADES ESTRADA, the MEN IN BLACK franchise, and THE FUGITIVE for which he won an Academy Award^®.

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