John Krasinski Very Close to Being Cast as THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA

by     Posted 3 years, 102 days ago

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The Office‘s John Krasinski is a drop of Super Serum away from playing the title role in Joe Johnston’s The First Avenger: Captain America.  We recently reported that Krasinski was on the short-list to play the role, but now  Fox411 reports that the actor has read four times for the role and screen tested twice.  The final step is casting a female co-star and finding chemistry between the two.  But if that’s the only hurdle, it means that Krasinski has the part because the female lead is nowhere near as important as Captain America and you cast the actress based on her chemistry with Krasinski, not vice-versa.

Hit the jump for my thoughts about Krasinski landing the role and the difficulties in selling him as Captain America to fans (plus an amusing comic illustrating this point).

UPDATE: Krasinski Out? Chris Evans, Mike Vogel, and Garrett Hedlund Up For CAPTAIN AMERICA

With Krasinski all but a sure thing, the question becomes how fans will react to the choice.  With his muppet-like grin, mess of brown hair, and reputation for comedy instead of action, it’s tough to see him as the strength and nobility of America personified.  Krasinski also strikes a pose as a man of the 21st century, not the mid-20th century when the film will be set.

Of course, physical features can and will be altered.  I imagine a crew cut and some serious body-sculpting is in store for the Scranton paper salesman.  But before the doubters start screaming at the top of their lungs, it’s wise to take a breath and remember that this movie is over two years away.  Johnston isn’t an imaginative director, but it’s not like Krasinski is throwing on the red, white, and blue tomorrow with the cameras set to roll at any second.

So before everyone goes nuts, let’s give the guy a chance and be thankful that they at least cast someone with charisma and not someone out of the Gossip Girl bland pile.

Update: A friend of mine just sent me this amusing comic from Hijinks Ensue illustrating the current perception of what Krasinski would be like as Captain America:

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Comments:
  • moosebuddy
  • cap

    worst idea ever i will not see it

  • junierizzle

    What's with the comments??? Disqus is on then its off??

    I guess I have to write again that Krasinski will for ever be JIM from the Office. So, it's hard as hell to picture him as a superhero. I hope its awesome though. I like JK. I just haven't like him in movies.

    BTW. The 90's Captain America movie is up on HULU, if you haven't seen it.

  • Bill Graham

    The good thing about his role in The Office is that with button down shirts, you can hide muscularity fairly well. Obviously a Mr. Universe is going to be hard to hide, but he could add quite a bit of bulk to his lanky frame without having to write in a storyline in the show about him hitting the gym.

  • Bill Graham

    The good thing about his role in The Office is that with button down shirts, you can hide muscularity fairly well. Obviously a Mr. Universe is going to be hard to hide, but he could add quite a bit of bulk to his lanky frame without having to write in a storyline in the show about him hitting the gym.

  • Crestfallen

    God damn it. I feel sick to my stomach.

  • Crestfallen

    God damn it. I feel sick to my stomach.

  • Corin Prendiville

    Krasinski is awesome, if he is cast I really hope this film goes well; I’ve been waiting for him to find his place on the big-screen, it is a stretch as Captain America but he certainly has the body type for it. Very tall and the frame to be muscular, I’m sure he can pull it off.

  • Corin Prendiville

    Krasinski is awesome, if he is cast I really hope this film goes well; I’ve been waiting for him to find his place on the big-screen, it is a stretch as Captain America but he certainly has the body type for it. Very tall and the frame to be muscular, I’m sure he can pull it off.

  • CCBeck

    “But before the doubters start screaming at the top of their lungs, it’s wise to take a breath and remember that this movie is over two years away. Johnston isn’t an imaginative director, but it’s not like Krasinski is throwing on the red, white, and blue tomorrow with the cameras set to roll at any second”
    –actually..isn’t the movie due out in July 2011? that is little over a year away…

  • CCBeck

    “But before the doubters start screaming at the top of their lungs, it’s wise to take a breath and remember that this movie is over two years away. Johnston isn’t an imaginative director, but it’s not like Krasinski is throwing on the red, white, and blue tomorrow with the cameras set to roll at any second”
    –actually..isn’t the movie due out in July 2011? that is little over a year away…

  • http://ciclotimia.blogspot.com [A]

    haha that comic strip is very good

  • http://ciclotimia.blogspot.com [A]

    I believe editors screw up the code when posting –

  • Chris

    When RDJ was cast as Tony Stark, many a fan boy got their panties twisted in a bunch. That worked out okay. Granted, it is yet to be seen if he can approach the acting skills Downey has. Still, Marvel has yet to disappoint with their current release of superhero movies. . . .

    • junierizzle

      Did you just compare RBJ to Krasinski?

    • Reformed_Geek

      I don’t know about other fan boys, but I thought Robert Downey Jnr was the prefect casting.

      I’m not sold on this Krasinski… I suppose he has the jaw line and they do need someone who is at the start, a whimpy looking guy.

      Someone is going to have to hit the gym pretty hard though…

  • Chris

    When RDJ was cast as Tony Stark, many a fan boy got their panties twisted in a bunch. That worked out okay. Granted, it is yet to be seen if he can approach the acting skills Downey has. Still, Marvel has yet to disappoint with their current release of superhero movies. . . .

    • junierizzle

      Did you just compare RBJ to Krasinski?

    • Reformed_Geek

      I don’t know about other fan boys, but I thought Robert Downey Jnr was the prefect casting.

      I’m not sold on this Krasinski… I suppose he has the jaw line and they do need someone who is at the start, a whimpy looking guy.

      Someone is going to have to hit the gym pretty hard though…

  • fennrysha

    Gut reaction: uggh. But the more I think about it, I like it. He's not going to be Jim from The Office playing Captain America. Michael Keaton made a great Batman but everyone ragged on that choice as well – up until they actually saw the movie anyway.

  • MrRich 316

    Is it too late to get Will Smith? The guy from The Office leading The Avengers??? I knew it would be a tough role to fill,but c’mon… I’m not saying He isn’t a good actor.It all is going to come down to believability. Maybe they can get the guy from gossip girl for Bucky (if Zac Efron isn’t available). I was hoping for the blonde guy from the fast and furious movies, but its good that Marvel keeps making it interesting.

  • MrRich 316

    Is it too late to get Will Smith? The guy from The Office leading The Avengers??? I knew it would be a tough role to fill,but c’mon… I’m not saying He isn’t a good actor.It all is going to come down to believability. Maybe they can get the guy from gossip girl for Bucky (if Zac Efron isn’t available). I was hoping for the blonde guy from the fast and furious movies, but its good that Marvel keeps making it interesting.

  • junierizzle

    I’m not feeling it. I like Krasinski but I haven’t loved him in movies. Some actors are cursed to always be seen as a certain character they play. JK will always be JIM.

    I hope I’m wrong though. I want this movie to be cool.

    BTW. The 90′s Captain AMerica movie is on HULU if you haven’t seen it.
    It’s not great but not bad either.

  • junierizzle

    I’m not feeling it. I like Krasinski but I haven’t loved him in movies. Some actors are cursed to always be seen as a certain character they play. JK will always be JIM.

    I hope I’m wrong though. I want this movie to be cool.

    BTW. The 90′s Captain AMerica movie is on HULU if you haven’t seen it.
    It’s not great but not bad either.

  • Scott Roberts

    This is not a terrible choice. I actually think he might be able to pull it off. One thing that I do know is that he needs to get into the gym now and starting hitting the weights.

  • Mike

    This is the wrong guy…a nice guy but the wrong guy!!!! He is going to have to stand up to RDJR, Jackson and Norton and this choice is just way to crazy for fans to embrace. It will plague production and taint the film. Every move that Marvel makes before Avengers comes out is important. One major miss step in casting could destroy the Cap movie and Avengers. I would be much more happy if they wait a few months until they could get someone like Jensen Ackles.

  • Mike

    This is the wrong guy…a nice guy but the wrong guy!!!! He is going to have to stand up to RDJR, Jackson and Norton and this choice is just way to crazy for fans to embrace. It will plague production and taint the film. Every move that Marvel makes before Avengers comes out is important. One major miss step in casting could destroy the Cap movie and Avengers. I would be much more happy if they wait a few months until they could get someone like Jensen Ackles.

  • John

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

  • John

    Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

  • moosebuddy
  • moosebuddy
  • deathstar

    thank god for that you need some 1 who atleast looks like cap not this faggot. an i am a fanboy an i new RDJ would pull off stark it was some of the best casting since beast in that awful film X3

  • deathstar

    thank god for that you need some 1 who atleast looks like cap not this faggot. an i am a fanboy an i new RDJ would pull off stark it was some of the best casting since beast in that awful film X3

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