Our very own George Marston found a juicy bit from the rumor mill over the weekend:
The film gossip site CinemaSpy is reporting that Chris Pine, whom you will all remember as James T. Kirk in last year’s blockbuster Star Trek, is rumored to be the current front runner for the part of Steve Rogers in the upcoming Captain America film adaptation. The tip comes, unsurprisingly, from an anonymous informant who claims to be well connected at Paramount. Pine is currently attached to the Star Trek sequel, as well as the part of Jack Ryan, last inhabited by Ben Affleck; however, his filming schedule does appear to have a Captain America-sized hole in it later this year, and the start date for the film is fast approaching.
Director Joe Johnston has reportedly been auditioning younger actors (between the ages of 23 and 32) for the role, which Pine fits, though it’s been said that he’s also focused on hiring an unknown. Again, this could be a complete fabrication, though Pine is a pretty hot name in genre films these days. He was also rumored to be a front runner for the role of Hal Jordan, which eventually went to Ryan Reynolds, and as previously mentioned he now carries the Jack Ryan films as well as Star Trek. Further, his onscreen father Chris Hemsworth is already attached to Thor, so Marvel is perfectly willing to mine the Star Trek talent pool.
It’s definitely a long shot; Pine’s got a full plate, and he’s already attached to some demanding roles, both of which are multi-film franchises. It seems unlikely that a studio would bank on someone who is already synonymous with such high profile characters as the face of one of their flagship characters. What say you, true believers? Can Pine support a third franchise? He’s proven he can handle the mantle of an iconic character, and few are more iconic than Captain America. He’s got more than enough charisma to be believable as the man who inspires Gods. If he splits the difference between his brash portrayal of Captain Kirk and the patriotic intensity of Jack Ryan, it could be a compelling performance for a young Steve Rogers, fresh out of Project: Rebirth. Sound off!
February 15th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
“He’s proven he can handle the mantle of an iconic character,”
I stopped bitching about last year’s Trek movie a long time ago, so forgive me for this momentary lapse, but I don’t think he proved a thing playing James T. Kirk. I went into the movie jaded to begin with, but not once did he convince me that he was Kirk. Aside from how lousy the plot and script were, Pine was the low point of that movie IMO.
At any rate, he doesn’t look Steve Rogers to me and he doesn’t have the build. He could bulk up for the role, as Christian Bale and Robert Downey did, but I still don’t see Pine’s appeal. I also think he looks too young. I’d rather have these heroes played by actors who look more mature (again, like Bale and Downey). Aaron Eckhart and Mark Valley remain the best two choices I’ve heard.
Neither one would look scrwney, pre-Cap Steve Rogers but I’m guessing they could work around that. Cap is such an icon, and in many ways he’s Marvel’s Superman (ie – THE hero the rest of the Marvel U looks up to) and that deserves an actor who looks iconic, has that chiseled look and jaw about him, and looks like the elder statesman of the Marvel U. Sorry, but that’s not Chris Pine. He looks like too much of a mama’s boy.
He shouldn’t look obviously younger than Tony Stark, should he? Regardless, there are plenty of other, more talented actors out there that Pine’s name shouldn’t have to come up for every single one of these heroic roles, should he?
February 15th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Of course he should look younger than Stark. Take a guy at most in his early 20s at the outset of WW2, get him to 1945, freeze him and pop him out in 2011, and he’s still under 30. Marvel should cast actors who can still plausibly inhabit these roles 10 years from now. A middle-aged Downey works as Iron Man because A) it’s Downey, and B) the armor forgives–actually makes a nice juxtaposition with–the creakiness of the guy inside it.
In Captain America, all Marvel needs to find is an actor who can convey authority. Jon Hamm from Mad Men has that quality, but he’s at least five years too old.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
From what I’ve heard they are looking for an actor who can fit the role of Steve Rogers who tried to join the army to fight in WWII as soon as he came of age. Aaron Eckhart and Mark Valley are in their 40′s and couldn’t possibly play such a young character. I don’t know about Chris Pine playing Captain America but only because of his schedule. Marvel needs an actor who will sign on for multiple movies and I doubt that Chris Pine will have the time for another franchise.
February 15th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Maybe he could just play scrawny pre-S.S.S. Steve Rogers…
February 15th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Great! I would love it; he has great personality and presence and is the right age. Other actors are too old- the Cap in the film is in his early 20s- not in his 40s like Valley and Eckhart.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
like Shia Lebeouf before him, already a household name!
February 15th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
too young. maybe bucky, but not cap.
February 15th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
too young. maybe bucky, but not cap.
Pine turns 30 this year. That would be just fine for Cap, and way too old for Bucky. Remember that Steve Rogers was probably about 20 when he tried to enlist.
February 15th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
I think he’d be great in the role, but director Joe Johnston seemed pretty convinced he’d go with an unknown as recently as last week. Why would he have done a complete 180 and go with a current “It” actor like Pine so quickly?
Sounds more like publicists and rumor mills working overtime to me.
February 15th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Bear in mind that Bucky and Cap are within 2-3 years of age.
February 15th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
Bravo, Shaun!!! Glad I am not the only one who didn’t care for Pine.
That aside, I can’t really see someone wanting to be fenced in like that, with two long term franchise roles. Then again, I don’t get why an actor as good as Robert Downey Jr. seems to be satisfied bouncing between Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes. Money trumps everything, I suppose.
February 15th, 2010 at 11:46 pm
Star Trek nerds need not apply for Project Rebirth, or get in line for Captain America. Chris Pine can act. Period, the end. He carried that film, along with some great and talented supporting actors, which he’d get from Marvel in the role of Cap. I don’t think he really looks the part, in terms of height and muscle mass, but all that can be faked. What can’t be faked is good acting. Shut up and go home if you’re not down with Cap and Marvel, because this guy can be convincing leading the likes of RDJ and Ed Norton into battle. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE!
February 16th, 2010 at 3:08 am
It’s an interesting choice.
My only concern is not Chris Pine’s acting ability, but the general audience’s ability to disassociate themselves between two iconic characters – Captain Kirk and Captain America.
Captain America is not Captain Kirk, especially Pine’s cocky and quick-witted version. I always thought of Captain America as stoic and a “man of few words”, almost to the point of being boring. If he started making quips like Spider-Man or the Human Torch, I would be incredibly annoyed.
I’m trying to think of another actor whose portrayed two iconic but disparate franchise characters.
No offense to Harrison Ford’s acting ability but Han Solo and Indiana Jones were almost identical is tone and manner.
Robert Downey’s portrayal of Sherlock Holmes as the sarcastic know-it-all almost turned me off of seeing Iron Man 2. He was entertaining for the first 30 minutes of the film, then it became just annoying.
May 20th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
I think he cannot act like the real captain america lead actor, but i was nice to hear the way the act because he has great personality and presence and is the right age.
May 22nd, 2010 at 2:48 am
I think Chris Pine is perfect for the role. I saw startrek and enjoyed every bit of it. Specially i loved chris pine most. May be he is a little bit younger for the role, but the director can give it a try.
May 27th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
He said Can’t tell you who the other couple of choices are, cause that’ll work against me for reasons I don’t want to get into.
June 1st, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Chris Pine are already have strong and good position in Hollywood. I hope Jensen Ackles get the role.
June 12th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Personally, I allow open commenting on my website. I might turn on moderation if I find I am getting destructive or hateful posts, we’ll see. You said about on chris pine the new captain america.
June 30th, 2010 at 12:08 am
I don’t get why an actor as good as Robert Downey Jr. seems to be satisfied bouncing between Tony Stark and Sherlock Holmes. Money trumps everything, I suppose.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:07 am
Well, I don’t think he really looks the part, in terms of height and muscle mass, but all that can be faked. What can’t be faked is good acting.
January 11th, 2011 at 1:33 am
Would say Chris Pine is too young for the role, well can’t really tell from the looks everything would change if he’ll fit his new character’s suit. Might change my mind about it, as long as he’ll be able to exude the character well then that would be great.
October 12th, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Actually saw the movie and looking back I don’t think Chris Pine would have been a bad pick! Obviously they chose Chris Evans in the end – not bad, but Pine would have been better in my opinion.