Captain America vs Hollywood
// February 7th, 2010 // No Comments » // Comics, Movies, Rumor
When Marvel Comics formed Marvel Entertainment it was a revelation. It signaled that the company was taking charge of its own destiny in the larger world of on-screen media. Iron Man proved that a true, honest to God comic book adaptation could be made. Iron Man is in many ways the prefect comic film, and it’s sequel (due this May) looks to be every bit as good or better. The road to Marvel’s Avengers film seemed to have clear blue skies.
Then came this announcement. The LA Times is reporting that Director Joe Johnston is essentially turning the Captain America costume and concept into a joke.
“The costume is a flag, but the way we’re getting around that is we have Steve Rogers forced into the USO circuit. After he’s made into this super-soldier, they decide they can’t send him into combat and risk him getting killed. He’s the only one and they can’t make more. So they say, ‘You’re going to be in this USO show’ and they give him a flag suit. He can’t wait to get out of it.” (Courtesy LA Times)
Okay… two questions.
- What’s the point of spending a billion dollars to create a super soldier just so you can turn him into a clown?
- Does Joe Johnston and Co. realize that Cap will eventually be standing next to the Norse God of Thunder and the Incredible Hulk? Why would that costume be the one American audiences find silly?
I realize this comes dangerously close to talking about politics, and for that I apologize. But this is something I feel needs to be said. Hollywood never once questioned putting Spider-man or Batman in their costumes. For crepes’ sakes do you remember the Batman and Robin costumes that Joel Schumaker approved??? Those costumes were silly.
What’s so crazy about an honorable and patriotic soldier during WW2? What’s so crazy about an American audience believing a man wrapped in the flag?
This isn’t about the audience. This is about Hollywood.
From ‘Hanoi Jane‘ on down through the ages to James Cameron, the movie and entertainment industry has had a long standing grudge with traditional American values. The First Amendment is designed to protect even anti-American sentiment. It’s fine for film-makers and writers to express that point of view. But this is Captain America.
Cap is one of the oldest comic creations still in circulation. He was created specifically to be the symbol of American sentiment during WW2. Call me crazy, but I think that sentiment still exists in the hearts and minds of the majority of the American people. Even when people don’t love their government, they can still love their country.
A few years ago, when Hollywood decided that GI Joe would no longer be “The Real American Hero” for their big-screen adaptation (The Rise of Cobra), I made a conscious decision that I would not spend my hard-earned money on it. That decision was made in part because I am a patriot, but also because it is an affront to the property. GI Joe was a toy franchise about an American task military force comprised of different people of all ethnicities and backgrounds fighting together to preserve liberty and freedom. Is there anything you can think of more beautiful than that???
But the movie studios decided that was too American.
Okay. Fine. I didn’t spend my money on The Rise of Cobra. Nor did I shell out ten dollars for a glorified cartoon by a director who advocates eco-terrorism and hates America. James Cameron can make whatever film he wants. He can come up with film techniques that simulate euphoria in the viewer’s mind. I won’t pay for it.
And the same goes for Captain America.
Marvel Entertainment. Do not make this film. Do not desecrate the integrity of the character just because you disagree with it. The story of a man who loved his country so much that he underwent experimentation and made himself a walking target to inspire the people of the world is not an out-dated one.
It’s just an under-written one.
UPDATE: After reading this article on Bighollywood.com, I realized that I should have finished reading the second half of the LA Times article.
To clarify, eventually Steve Rogers goes AWOL (although I’m not certain how one goes AWOL from the USO Tour, but still…) and comes to realize the importance of the costume. It’s your classic ‘Hero’s Journey’ scenario. And then he becomes a leader.
So ADMITTING MY MISTAKE, my point still kind of stands. There’s no need to make these changes in the character and costume.
Steve Rogers was a skinny kid who wasn’t allowed to defend his country because he was too frail. So he agrees to these experimental procedures that will make him a symbol of the American Spirit. That’s it. That’s the story. So why does he get thrust into the USO where he decides he’s too cool to wear the flag? Where does that come into the story?
It fundamentally changes the character’s personality and purpose. Cap wears the bright, gaudy costume in defiance of the Nazis. He’s a walking target, and he’s supposed to be. That’s why he has a big ass shield! And that’s another thing. If Steve thinks the costume is stupid, how is he going to feel about carrying around a bright red, white and blue shield in public? And again, he’ll later be standing by Thor and Iron Man, and maybe even Ant Man. Isn’t that goofy? These movies require you to suspend disbelief. So why is it more realistic and acceptable to see a man dressed as a giant bat than one dressed as the American flag?
