Although, on second thought, perhaps the mask made such a campy role more palatable for RA:) In addition, since the eyes wll be the primary facial feature for this particular character, the choice of RA for the role makes perfect sense. His larger than average piercing blue eyes probably jumped from the screen at the casting powers that be. Combined with his impressive physical attributes, the casting decision makers most likely voiced the opinion - "There's our Union Jack!!"....hehehe....can it be categorized as another John character for RA? Introducing Captain America's fellow superhero, Union Jack...who's about to acquire the sexiest recorded voice to date:) First, did the casting crew happen to see...compare the eyes...
Quote from the website linked below: >"Richard Armitage as Union Jack – Union Jack probably won’t be shown without his mask, so the talents of Richard Armitage would likely be wasted in the role. Still, I’ve got to cast someone as Britain’s top wartime operative, so why not this versatile actor who’s played an MI5 officer on the BBC series Spooks and Robin Hood’s villainous Guy of Gisborne
So there you have it – my casting selections for the 2011 Captain America movie."<
Another comment at that website:
>July 19, 2010 at 6:04 am
Apparently Richard Armitage is also starring.
Not sure in what role though …!<
http://www.onlygoodmovies.com/blog/casting-couch/cast-the-captain-america-movie/
Pic used at the website above...
Never realized how submersed in details the comic fans can be and how seriously they take these comic characters...have actually seen on youtube statements to the effect "hope the guy chosen to play Captain America is a good enough actor"...HA! :)
Assuming the rumor mill is correct about this role for RA, did any of the following enter into it? Did his ‘boys will be boys’ instincts in any way influence the decision?…evidently the luscious results of all the dedicated workouts have paid off yet again with this role...
From website below - Abilities: >Union Jack is a superb athlete and excellent hand-to-hand combatant. Expert marksman, extensive knowledge of various firearms and explosives, knowledge of anti-terrorist tactics.
Strength level: Union Jack was a good fighter and very athletic, even before being empowered by the Pendragon force. Subsequent to this mystical enhancement, he has gained superhuman strength, speed, and endurance to an unspecified level presumably enhanced human.
Paraphernalia - Equipment
Costume: Costume is made of bullet resistant materials.
Various equipment and gadgets as needed.
Transportation
Formerly used a computerized motorcycle named "Beryl".
Weapons
Dagger: Union Jack carries a silver dagger with a 6-inch blade, which he straps to his left hip.
Sidearm: Union Jack carries a Webley .455 caliber pistol in a tied-down flapped holster on his right hip. Other firearms as needed. <
http://marvel.wikia.com/Joseph_Chapman_(Earth-616
35 comments:
So if Union Jack is uspposed to be british...that would mean RA keeps his accent!
My first thought when I saw the pic of the comic character was too: His face will be hidden??! Oh well, at least will have the eyes...
I've read the stunt man, has said it twice already about RA's participation on CA. Let's wait for him to informs us which role! :P
OML :)
Such a crime to cover that wonderful expressive face! Still we'll recognise that voice anywhere, not to mention those eyes!!! Tight figure hugging lycra? Bring it on!!!!
Well Richard did say in a recent interview that he wasn't proud and would accept a role in a film even if it meant he only had six lines in it. Laughing all the way to the bank I reckon if the rumour is true!
Perhaps Union Jack is sometimes seen without his mask, lolling around his mansion, sipping gin and tonics and seducing ladies of the aristocracy? As this is children's fare, perhaps not! Though think about RH. We did get to see Guy in seduction mode!
Richard might find it all good fun and it's quite a big budget production, so it's also a way of making contacts who can prove useful later (and laughing all the way to the back!)
Bank is where the money is! Back is where the gigglers are sent!
Bank is where the money is! Back is where the gigglers are sent!
Yes OML, Union Jack will no doubt be a British stereotype who might stop his superhero action in order to take his afternoon tea:) haha RA's British accent is a must for the role. All the clues definitely seem to point to this role, don't they.
What about the 'John' conundrum? Can the Jack part of the name be considered a nickname for John, as in 'Johnny Bull?'
Which reminds me of a personal story. Whenever my parents had a disagreement and my dad became especially stubborn about anything in my mother's eyes, she'd retort with "there's your johnny bull streak of stubborness again". hahaha That was as nasty as their arguments ever became. They had 5 children together...were married for over 40yrs when he died.
His father had passed away at an early age, and despite the fact mine was prepared to enter the seminary at the time, he instead became the head of the family and supported his 2 younger sisters until they graduated school. His decision was fortunate for his siblings, but even more so for me & my siblings:)
The name Jack is a diminutive of the name John. Just think of how many characters Richard has played with the name John, Thornton, Standring, Mulligan and of course Porter!
Sue, another thing about Union Jack is that it might be a recurring role for Richard. There are plans for a sequel called 'The Avengers' who apparently are the 4 most iconic comic book heroes in the history of the world:) hehe
The US's comic book fans really take their hobby seriously. In fact, when our son was about 13yrs old he & his best friend started their own comic book stand at a local market. It wasn't exactly a screaming success at that time - when he went off to college, we found 3full cardboard boxes of brand new comics in his bedroom closet. He sold them recently for a profit on Ebay.
I seem to have a story today for every Capt America comment that comes along:)
Enrich, I'm with you in hopes UJ will have reason to remove his mask. Thuds will be heard throughout America from any mothers who go to the Sat/Sun matinee with their young sons. Can picture myself sitting there surrounded by excited youngsters as they chomp on popcorn and spill their humungous sodas all over me - while my eyes remain glued to the screen BECAUSE - the Capt America movie will be in 3D. Richard in 3D! -- WooHoo!! Think of the bulging biceps in 3D....*drool,drool*
Your other delicious suggestion of a love interest for UJ is a possibility, because from my brief sojourn at the Marvel comic websites, I did notice a heroine in the story. Of course, believe she's Capt America's girlfriend, therefore the new Union Jack could cause an international incident once she takes a look at RA as UJ:)
With all this speculation, we might be disappointed if it's actually a different role.
Great find and great news for RA if the rumors and information are true. I could get used to calling him Union Jack and looking at him in that blue spandex outfit :)
Hi Musa, yes..we won't quibble about the comic book aspect to the movie, IF 'The Hunkies' wear those sleek jumpsuits. It's reminiscent of Guy's snug-fitting leathers.*Yum!* Hopefully we'll shortly hear something concrete about the role.
Does the bellydancer above resemble the Melisandre in your mind's eye?
There should be an announcement soon about the GoT soundtrack composer.
Geo Martin must be super busy with pre-production issues - he hasn't posted at his journal for quite a while.
Our male actors are all being reduced to comic book characters-Robert Downey, Jeff Bridges, Chris Eccleston, not to mention the various incarnations of Spider Man, Batman, Superman, etc. I just read that the immensely talented Jeremy Renner is going to be in an upcoming comic book epic.
I hope RA can get on board, it will get him the recognition that he needs, the tween boys who apparently are the coveted audience the studios so desire.
I think it sounds a great role for him. That wonderful voice would be a real asset. It would be a shame to give the role to an American trying to talk with a Brit accent as it never sounds quite right, much better the genuine article!
I've looked up the details of the film on IMDB, but as yet, no sign of Richard's name appearing on the casting list.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0458339/fullcredits#cast
Just had another thought! It's a shame Richard couldn't give Union Jack a northern accent, but unfortunately it appears that UJ is a member of the artistocracy so that will be out for sure! Shame! I was just beginning to warm to that idea!
Do you think all this speculation is a wind-up? Apparently the rumour was started by a stuntman on the set of Spooks 9, who also said that Spooks 10 had already been commissioned! (Which I think is pretty doubtful as Spooks 9 hasn't finished filming yet!)
Never mind I'll pounce on any scrap of Richard information during this present drought (and I aint talking hosepipe bans in England here!)
Judith, does today's focus on comic super heroes reflect a shift of the American adult audience away from Hollywood's juvenile fair to the premium TV channels, such as HBO? The latter appear to be producing the best drama for adults.
The older crowd prefer the comfort of entertainment delivered to their living rooms, rather than making a trip to the mall, searching for somewhere to park and then paying humungous prices for the ticket & box of popcorn - while tween boys call that experience 'a social life.'
Sue, you might be unto something with the stuntman suggestion. Yesterday's Capt America search made me aware Hollywood is currently paying far closer attention to the on-line public's individual recommendations for filling particular movie roles.
RA is well aware the majority of his female fanbase is represented online. He's probably mentioned that fact to members of the Spooks crew over the past 3yrs. Perhaps the stuntman was trying to light a spark with the women he spoke to, in order to get the ball rolling for an online campaign to present Richard as a candidate for a Capt America role. Time will tell.
I sincerely hope the group of fans were paraphrasing RA's words, and that he didn't actually refer to them as 'girls' when they stated he asked "are the girls still here?" Referring to adult women as 'girls' is considered a no-no in the US. Over time I've come to agree w/that cultural attitude. Assigning the labels 'girls' or even 'boys' to mature individuals is looked on as a condescending attitude, and I know Richard would never deliberately do that.
Well, the movie won't have only 13 characters as the IMDB page shows...right?
So maybe is just matter of time for him to be credited.
It would really be a shame if in the end, he is another character. I'm getting used to the idea of him being Union Jack (is the character a baddie? *thinks of Guy...sigh*). -Sorry if is common knowledge but I'm not much into comics-.
OML :)
On Spooks DVD S7 he talked warmheartedly about his female collegues (Hermione, Miranda) and mentioned them as ´girls´.
OML, not into comics either...haha. The demographic these superheroes are geared towards are tween boys, about 11-15yrs old. Apparently they're currentl the major money-makers for Hollywood. That particular age group not only watches the film, but buys all the associated merchandise - Xbox & Wii games, action figures, clothing, etc.
Union Jack is described as the British equivalent of Captain America. His persoanl assets include superior athletic abilities and 'endurance.' Like the sound of that last quality. *faint* Need a cool beverage. haha
Thx for the Spooks7 info, anonymous.
Thought I'd heard Richard refer to fans as ladies in the past. Over here we really do avoid referring in professional settings/mixed company to women as girls. Among friends, it's fine--anything goes.
There are other terms seen as equally offensive. I've often reminded DH not to use 'kiddo' during meetings with his staff. He assumed they'd consider it friendly, but some find it chauvinist. We've always had to be attuned to attitudes in the workplace.
If he did say "girls" personally I think it's an improvement on "middle-aged, radio four listeners", that bugged me a little I must admit. I would quite enjoy Richard referring to me as a "girl" and certainly wouldn't take it as an insult. I'm afraid us northerners aren't always very PC and often call people "love" which is also frowned upon these days. Seems to me you can't open your mouth these days without managing to put your size tens in it somehow.I think calling women "girls" is quite charming, long may it continue, it'd certainly brighten my day!
haha Sue, my girl:)
Perhaps Richard deliberately used 'girls' because he's had so many complaints from those who felt, as you do, that 'middle-aged, radio4 listeners' was an insult. He's in a delicate position trying to please all of the people all of the time. Good thing he's so cute;)
Wouldn't we forgive him everything other than getting his head completely shaved? He might even test us on that one in the future.
I'd an aunt whose mind was sharp as a tack until about 85. Her solution for a failing memory (she even had difficulty w/family members names) was to start calling everyone
'dear'...it worked like a charm...all the aides in her nursing home thought she was the most lovable resident they'd ever cared for.
What if he said: "Are my middle aged, Radio4 listeners still here?" ;)
Sue, you´re so right!
Has everyone nominated RA to Esquire Magazine as the next James Bond? You can do it on Twitter, just search for them. There's also a link to the mag article provided by Musa in the second post above. Esquire provided their own suggestions, and then asked the public to submit their nominees.
I wouldn't mind if he refered to me as girl, also it has to do *how* he said it, just by the intonation it could sound normal or condescending.
Could it be something to do with age? When I hear 'ladies' is sound as a group of 'middle aged women', it doesn't really bother me whether he uses one term or the other, still I'll go with 'girl' as long as it doesn't come with a condescending tap on the head or something *rolling eyes*.
OML :)
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fan_fic/news/?a=12454 fan cast RA as Dracula in 2009!
http://dixonverse.net/board3/index.php?action=printpage;topic=2115.0 someone suggested RA as Union Jack on February 09, 2010!
The fact Richard was willing to take the time to speak to his fans, during what sounded like an intense scene, does speak volumes about his attitude toward them, doesn't it? He could've just as easily sent word that he was sorry but the Spooks filming schedule didn't leave time for a visit.
He looked as though it was quite an action packed scene. Makeup mimicing a dirty face & chest & Lucas' tousled hair. Any speculation about what the scene might've represented for our hero? At least the ladies noticed he escaped the explosion, so we know for certain he'll make it through 3/4 of Spooks9. Worried about the last ep...yikes:O
Did anyone else ask themselves why Lucas' hair is so much longer than it was in the last series? Might it reflect Richard's preparation for the role in a promised stage play?
Of course, if Lucas disappears, and RA is subsequently offered the James Bond role, Stannis in GoT or Union Jack in CA...we'll be ready to move onward and upward with him:) Bond would be especially luscious..
Thanks for the fan casting info Violet. Hope we hear something about one of these roles soon.
I think in the pics of him all covered in dust, with long brownish hair, if I'm not mistaken, RA is representing Lucas in Senegal ten or so years ago...
OML :)
Yes, the scene is supposed to be in 1995, hence the long hair, which actually looked like a wig to me!This would take him back to when he was still married or just before wouldn't it? I'd love to know how they met and fell in love. Being an MI5 agent I'm surprised Harry sanctioned his marriage to a Russian! Did Lucas meet her in Russia I wonder or later in Britain? I think there may be a few skeltons tumbling out of Lucas North's closet in Spooks 9! All the other agents, such as Harry, Ros, etc. seem to have a backstory explaining how they came to be in MI5, Lucas hasn't so far. His father was a Methodist Minister, interesting religious connection perhaps?
Back to the photo again, do you think he was working undercover as a chimney sweep? He certainly looked as though he'd been covered in soot! Loved the blue shirt by the way.
Ricrar, the fan casting of ´Dracula´ was about a character of an Captain America Comic!
Didn't the fans say Lucas was running from an explosion? That could explain his dusty/dirty makeup.
RA as Dracula...hehe..we'd all wait in line to donate a pint of blood to our fav vampire;) as often as possible.
Richard is in a delicate position. Comments on this blog about his referring to a group of fans as "girls" are evidence of how people will take the most innocent of comments, completely out of context, and contrive to be offended by them. The poor man must despair...
Totally agree with you Anonymous. The use of "girls" may be offensive to some people who perhaps don't understand that cultural differences abound in language usage. Whereas RiCrAr may be offended by the use of "girls," she doesn't speak for all Americans, in spite of her attempt to sound as though she does. I've got it on good authority from UK friends that "girls" is NOT considered a pejorative over there. Like most tags applied to people, it's all about context and motive. I choose to ascribe nothing but the best motives to Richard in this case, especially as the comment "girls" was accompanied by such generous and kind actions.
And further, I have finally picked myself up from the floor laughing long enough to respond to RiCrAr's absurd suggestion that a stunt man on Spooks somehow took it upon himself to throw out some statements that he believed would lead to an online "drive" to obtain a part in Captain America for Richard! That kind of twisted thinking and suggestion of Machiavellian plotting by a Spooks stunt man defies belief! And to suggest that Richard spends any time at all on the set of Spooks bragging about his online fan base demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the humble, gracious, self-effacing man Richard appears to be.
I should be complimented that you're keeping such close track of the conversation at this blog, but frankly nothing would please me more than if you would not.
Obviously, the civilized discussion here as far as the word 'girls' was a major disappointment to you. Apparently your 'here's an opportunity for a marathon joust of nasty words' antenna sounded the usual alarm. Sorry to disappoint you but as always you'll need to look elsewhere for participants in such juvenile antics.
If you're intent on pressing the issue with more posts, you'll leave me no choice other than to delete them. We're not interested...have a nice life.
PS...hopefully a helpful suggestion - if you're so desperately hungry for an argument, why don't you search for a political or world events forum on the internet. Maybe then your compulsion to argue will be pleasantly satiated, and those you attempt to engage in a battle will not be bored by it. Bye.
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