Joe Johnston Gives CAPTAIN AMERICA Details

Captain America, one of the most recognizable comic book characters, and certainly Marvel’s most iconic, is finally getting the big-screen treatment and will begin shooting sometime in June of this year for a July release in 2011. So far though everything from casting to costumes to villain has been completely unknown.

While promoting his new film for Universal, The Wolfman, director Joe Johnston has, understandably, been barraged with questions pertaining to The First Avenger: Captain America. Luckily for us fans, he’s been pretty generous with the details, while leaving us dying for more.

Here, in rapid fire succession, are those invaluable morsels of information:

• In regards to the cast of the film, Johnston confirms the role of Steve Rogers/Captain America will be played by a relatively unknown American between the ages of 23 and 32. They are testing five or six actors right now, and according to Johnston will have the whole film cast by March 1 (no duh, they’re shooting in June).
• The majority of the film – which is an origin story, naturally – will take place during World War II, with present day bookends. Shooting will take place in London.
• Johnston has confirmed that the main villain will indeed be Captain America’s main adversary, the Red Skull.
• When asked about the Captain’s costume, Johnston reveals that they’ve found a practical was of explaining the vibrant red, white, blue and starred outfit. Apparently the uniform is worn by Rogers as part of a USO show. Cap then tries to cover up the colors once he finds himself in the field, but soon lets the flag fly when he realizes the leadership such a suit inspires. The original USO suit will be very similar to the classic Jack Kirby costume seen in the original comics, but as the film progresses, the Captain will adopt a “a sturdier, more muted version that he makes himself that is more like battle togs. The stripes across his mid-section, for instance, will be straps, not colored fabric.” Johnston adds that the final suit in the film will more resemble the suit seen in recent comics. Johnston references Ed Brubaker’s Captain America run in terms of story, tone and aesthetics, quite frequently.

No word on any other characters (though I’d put money on Bucky being included) or how exactly they will tie the film into the Iron Man, Thor and ultimately The Avengers – it would make sense to have these other characters come together at the end of the film to discover Cap preserved in the ice.

I’m incredibly excited for the film, and can’t wait to see a superhero film meet a WWII period piece. I really hope it works out, as the potential for a truly unique story is there.

More on The First Avenger: Captain America as we find out.

Sources: Collider, LA Times, /Film, Shock Till You Drop, AICN