Now that we know that the casting of Will Smith as Captain America was just a rumor, we can continue to debate who we would like to see be cast as Captain America.  Personally I would like to go with an unknown.  Prior to the Richard Donner “Superman,” not many people knew of Christopher Reeve.  Instead of going with a big name for the lead, they went with this unknown actor and surrounded him with well known actors like Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Ned Beatty, and Glen Ford.  The movie was of course a big success and is now a classic.  In my opinion, it’s the best comic movie of all time.  So I would go with an unknown, but here are some of the names floating around.

Some people have suggested Matthew McConaughey.  I think McConaughey is good actor.  He was really good in “U-571” as the commander of the stolen submarine.  Since the Cap movie will be set during World War II, McConaughey has the experience of acting in a World War II film with “U-571”.  McConaughey has the blond hair and All-American good looks, but I think he’s too old to play the role now.  His personal life has been crazy and is a turn-off for me.  So thumbs down on this one.

Another All-American looking guy is Matt Damon.  If this was about ten years or so ago, I would be on board, but like McConaughey, Damon is already in his late 30’s and I think they should go with someone in their early 20’s. 

Brad Pitt was mentioned.  Why?  Again he’s older; he’s in his 40’s, and I think a guy like Pitt who is in the tabolids every day would be distracting.  I would just see Brad Pitt on the screen and not Captain America.

A sort of unknown actor that has floated around is Mark Valley who was on “Boston Legal” and is now on J.J. Abrams “Fringe”.  He could do the part as well, but he too is in his 40’s.

I think everyone that I have seen mentioned is someone in their 30’s or 40’s and as I said, I think they need to go with someone younger.  When Steve Rogers enlists in the army during World War II, he’s pretty much a kid.  I think he’s only supposed to be a few years older than Bucky who I guess is about 15 or 16 when he joins up.

I also think that if they want to do a Cap movie, an Avengers movie, and some Cap sequels, it would benefit the franchise to cast a younger guy in the role.  The one drawback about Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man is that he’s already in his 40’s and he still has the Avengers film and 2 more Iron Man films.  I’m sure he’ll keep in shape.

One thing that I would like to see them do with the Captain America character that they don’t really do with Cap today in the comics is use the fact that this person is a man that lived during a different era.  He lived and experienced America in the 1930’s and 40’s and they don’t show that in the comics.  I would like to see something small like Cap enjoying a song that was popular in the 30’s yet is very outdated today. 

Well, as I said, my choice is for a young unknown actor to play Cap.  Maybe they can go with Ralph Fiennes as the Red Skull.  He played the vile Nazi Amon Goeth in “Schindler’s List” so I think he is the perfect Hollywood casting to help sell the picture.  I know I’ll get bashed for this, but what about Drake Bell of “Drake and Josh” fame to play Bucky.  He can still pass for a teenager (he’s 22) and girls would want to see him.

No matter what, it’s still a long wait until May 6, 2011, the current release date for Captain America the film.