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.

Speaking at a Q&A as part of the LA Times Indie Focus Screening Series (via LA Times), Redford commented on signing on for The Winter Soldier:

"I'm doing this film because it's different. It's a new thing for me… I think these films are really powerful. I think they're great. This is the kind of film I would have loved to see as a kid… I like the idea of stepping into new territory. I'm excited by it. I also think it's a good bunch of people who really know what they're doing."

Redford has been incredibly picky with regards to choosing acting roles as of late, mostly starring in his own directorial efforts or smaller indie fare.  The last “Hollywood” movie he appeared in was the 2001 thriller Spy Game, in which he shared the screen with Brad Pitt.  Though the idea of Redford appearing in a Captain America movie is exciting in and of itself, there’s also the prospect of the 76-year-old actor popping up in subsequent Marvel films as well, given the studio’s shared universe approach to their films.

No further details regarding Redford’s character are known at this time, but hopefully we hear more soon.  The actor most recently filmed the starring role in Margin Call director J.C. Chandor’s survival film All Is Lost, which is supposedly dialogue-free, and his next directorial effort The Company You Keep opens on April 5th. Captain America: The Winter Soldier opens in 3D on April 4, 2014.

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