Though production is set to get underway soon, Marvel had one last-minute ace up their sleeve with regards to the sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  Last week we learned the pleasantly surprising news that acting legend Robert Redford had entered talks to join the Captain America cast as a senior leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.  It marked a major casting coup for directors Joe and Anthony Russo, and the idea of someone like Redford stepping into the Marvel universe is incredibly exciting for fans.

Now Redford has commented a bit on the prospect of him appearing in a comic book movie, saying he made the decision to join Captain America 2 because he likes the idea “of stepping into new territory.”  Hit the jump for his full thoughts on the matter.

Another cast member has been added to the ensemble of Marvel’s sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  We recently learned the surprising news that Robert Redford is in negotiations to play a high-ranking S.H.I.E.L.D. officer in the follow-up, and now it appears that another villain is being added to the ranks.  Sebastian Stan is already set to return as the titular soldier and Frank Grillo is poised to play the angatonist Crossbones, but now word comes that the villain Batroc the Leaper will also be appearing onscreen with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre reportedly tapped to bring him to life.  Hit the jump for more.

Here’s your WTF story of the week: Robert Redford may be starring in a Marvel movie.  Reports have surfaced that Redford is in talks to join the cast of Captain America: The Winter Soldier as a “senior leadership role in S.H.I.E.L.D.”  This is a major get for Marvel, as Redford has relegated himself to acting solely in smaller indie fare or his own directorial projects for the past few years, with his last starring role in a “Hollywood” film that he didn’t direct being Tony Scott’s 2001 thriller Spy Game.  Given that Kevin Feige recently described The Winter Soldier as a “political thriller,” Redford should fit right in with the S.H.I.E.L.D. crew. Hit the jump for more, including the possibility of Redford popping up in other Marvel movies.

While DC and Warner Bros. are still trying to figure out what to do with their superheroes, Marvel already has the path laid out for “Phase Two”: Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Granted, all of the films except Guardians are sequels, but Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige says we shouldn’t be expecting more of the same.  Fans should anticipate new approaches, different sides of the characters, and trying to build it all to The Avengers 2.

Hit the jump for more.

With the release of Marvel’s Iron Man 3 looming closer and Thor: The Dark World hitting theaters this November, the studio is set to begin production imminently on the third film of Phase Three, Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  While we know quite a bit about the film’s casting—Anthony Mackie is Falcon, Emily VanCamp is the female lead, Frank Grillo is villain Crossbones, and Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes—we actually know very little about where directors Joe and Anthony Russo plan to take the film’s story.  A tiny hint came today by way of Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, who describes the film as a political thriller.  Hit the jump to read on.

Last month, we reported that Hayley Atwell would not be reprising her role as Peggy Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  In an interview with TimeOut, she said she wouldn’t be returning.  However, Steve interviewed her Captain America co-star Stanley Tucci earlier today for Jack the Giant Slayer, and it looks like her comments may have been a little misdirection or the script has changed since her interview.

Hit the jump for more.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens in 3D on April 4, 2014.

Rumor has it that ABC’s Revenge star Emily VanCamp is in talks for a lead role opposite Chris Evans in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the sequel to Captain America: The First Avenger takes place after the events of The Avengers and puts Cap (Evans) in the present day.  Also starring Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Toby Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson, Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4, 2014.  Hit the jump for more, including just who VanCamp might be playing.

Production will begin later this spring on Anthony and Joe Russo‘s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and while there were rumors that the sequel would be shooting in Europe like the first film, we’ve learned that stages are already being built at Raleigh Manhattan Beach Studios in Los Angeles.  This isn’t a major surprise considering Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Thor all shot at Raleigh in addition to other locations.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier will probably still do some shooting in Europe, and we already know that some filming will be done in Cleveland and New Mexico.

Hit the jump for a recap of other info about the film.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Toby Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson, and opens April 4, 2014.

While Marvel’s Iron Man 3 is set to hit theaters in a couple of months, another one of the studio’s sequels is gearing up to begin production.  Anthony and Joe Russo are onboard to direct Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and now we have confirmation of another actor from the first film who, in addition to Chris Evans (obviously), will be returning: Toby Jones.  The actor confirmed that he’ll be reprising his role as Nazi Dar. Arnim Zola, but no details are known regarding his appearance.  Given that The Winter Soldier takes place in the present day, one assumes Jones will be appearing in flashbacks.

Joining Evans and Jones in the follow-up will be Anthony Mackie as Falcon, Sebastian Stan as the titular Winter Soldier, and Frank Grillo as baddie Crossbones.  The female lead has yet to be cast, but Hayley Atwell revealed that she won’t be appearing in the film.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens in 3D on April 4, 2014.  Hit the jump to watch the video interview with Jones.

Back in July, we reported that Anthony Mackie would play the superhero Falcon (a.k.a. Sam Wilson) in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  While details on the upcoming sequel are being kept highly under wraps, Mackie did provide some innocuous comments about the film while doing press for Gangster Squad.  His most interesting comment was the revelation that his character will share his comic book counterpart’s wings and ability to fly.  Mackie added, “I will be a superhero and fight people, namely The Winter Soldier.”

Hit the jump for more.  The film also stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4, 2014.

While we’re still awaiting casting news regarding the female lead for Marvel’s sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier, we now have some confirmation on who won’t be in the movie.  Hayley Atwell, who played the female lead opposite Chris Evans in The First Avenger, previously played coy when asked about her involvement in the follow-up.  We learned in The Avengers that Peggy Carter is still alive in the present day, and it’s assumed that we’ll be getting at least a few flashbacks to Cap’s 1940s days in the sequel The Winter Soldier, so it seemed feasible for her to make an appearance.  Alas, it appears that Atwell will not, in fact, be popping up in the follow-up.  Hit the jump for more.

Iron Man 3 has become so exclusive that even Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) isn’t allowed in. The “No Avengers Allowed” production directed by Shane Black (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is locked down as a Tony Stark-centric experience after the fallout of the events in The Avengers. While Robert Downey Jr. won’t have to share any screen time with his heroic teammates this time around, you can be sure to expect some sort of end credits tag linking it to Thor 2, aka Thor: The Dark World. Surprisingly, Jackson may not appear in that film either, but will next play Fury in Captain America 2, aka Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Hit the jump to see what Jackson had to say. 

In order to keep meddlesome kids away from the set of major movies, studios usually employ working titles while on set (it also used to reduce costs, as was the case with George Lucas giving the name Blue Harvest to Return of the Jedi).  However, we say “Meddle away!”, so if you’re in Cleveland next spring and see signs for Freezerburn, you’re near the set of Captain America: The Winter Soldier according to Feature Film Casting.  In all seriousness, don’t meddle.  People are trying to work, and we movie websites are already inundated with leaked set photos.

The film stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Frank Grillo, Cobie Smulders, Scarlett Johansson, and Samuel L. Jackson.  Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens April 4, 2014.

Just over a week ago, we learned that Frank Grillo (The Grey, Warrior) had tested for a villain role in Marvel’s sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  I was pretty onboard with the idea of Grillo tackling the brawny marksman role of Crossbones, but we had also heard a few more recognizable names mentioned for the part so it was unclear if Grillo would walk away the victor.  However, it appears that he made quite the impression with the Marvel folks, as confirmation has now come down that Grillo is set to portray the baddie Crossbones in the Captain America sequel.  Hit the jump for more.

Though production is currently underway on Iron Man 3 and Thor: The Dark World, Marvel is also busy filling out the cast of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which starts filming next March.  Chris Evans is already set to return as the titular Cap, Anthony Mackie has been confirmed as Falcon, and Sebastian Stan is likely coming back to portray the titular Soldier, but further casting has yet to be announced.

We know that a number of actresses are vying for the female lead, and just recently we learned that producers are also looking to fill two “very physical” male villain roles.  It appears we have confirmation on one of the characters, as The Grey and Warrior star Frank Grillo has revealed that he’s in the midst of testing for a baddie role in the superhero sequel.  Hit the jump for more details.