Casting Call: Avengers

So Marvel is doing their whole Avengers thing. 4 solo series and a crossover. Iron Man was perfectly cast and their are some really great casting possibilities for the sequel (Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Emily Blunt, and Tim Robbins have all been brought up in some capacity), and The Incredible Hulk had a solid cast (maybe not the best possible cast though).

Now its down to casting Captain America and Thor, and when I look at the casting suggestions from internet fanboys, I shudder. I know that Captain America and Thor are drawn with huge muscles, but so are most comic characters. If we went by that way of thinking every superhero would be a bodybuilder and every heroine would have DD breasts. But there are far more important things namely, THE ABILITY TO ACT.

When you see names like Triple H and James Preston Rogers up for Thor or John Cena and this mystery Ben Ryan man youtubers seem to love for Cap, you see people mention muscles and size and how nice they are off screen or how they love the character so much. Thats all nice, but without acting ability to back it up than they shouldn't be considered. Have we learned nothing from Brandon Routh?

Alexander Skarsgard as Thor

Skarsgard is definitely a high potential up-and-comer. On Generation Kill, he played a confident leader. On True Blood, he plays a former viking turned immortal arrogant vampire with a bit of a superiority complex. He's from Sweden and of Scandanavian descent. He's 6'4 and has a decent build to work on. Stellan Skarasgard is his father, so he has some impressive pedigree.

Philip Winchester as Captain America

Philip Winchester has made a name for himself with a famous British character, but make no mistake, he is a born and bred red blooded American. On Robinson Crusoe, he plays a crafty and intelligent survivor with a soldier's mentality. He has a strong physique, 6'1", to build upon and classic good looks albeit a pointier nose than Captain America is drawn with. Seems to be a breaking point for fanboys, but I think it makes him stand out more.

Both of them come with very good perks. For one, they definitely have more talent and potential than most up and comers and "hot" actors, like Jensen Ackles and Scott Porter. Being relatively unknowns, they would probably come pretty cheap. Important considering the top talent that Marvel has been raking in and their problems budget wise keeping them. Their size is also very congruent to each other. Skarsgard being 6'4 and Winchester being 6'1 means that Thor will be taller but not outshine Captain America.