Hugo Weaving in talks to play 'Cap Am' villain Red Skull (exclusive)

Marvel Studios has zeroed in on Hugo Weaving to play the villainous Red Skull in “Captain America.”

Joe Johnston is directing the movie, which remains in search of the actor to play Steve Rogers, Captain America’s alter ego.

In the Marvel comics, Red Skull has been Captain America’s archenemy since 1941, when he engaged in espionage and sabotage as Hitler’s right-hand man. In his final battle with the superhero, he was buried under the rubble of a bombed building but — as would occur later with Captain America — fell into a state of suspended animation. Both were revived in modern times.

The character was the villain in the low-budget 1990 “Captain America” movie.

The dealmaking with Weaving is in a delicate stage that will play out in the next day or so. Agencies grouse that Marvel plays hardball in the negotiating process and also demands multi-movie commitments, though the latter usually applies to actors playing its heroes. 

If a deal happens, it would reunite the actor with Johnston, with whom he worked in the recent horror thriller “The Wolfman.” The CAA-repped Weaving already is known to genre fans as bad guy Agent Smith of the “Matrix” movies and elf ruler Elrond of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Comments

[yuri]

the guy from "chuck"...captain awesome should play
captain america...need an unknown in the role and this guy reminds me of a young chris reeves.

[RichardLuzT]

Awesome

[ChristianG]

Jon Hamm from Mad Men.

[MC D-Lyte]

I do not see this coming. That is so much sarcasm because evrytime they need a ad guy for a movies they hire this guy and everytime they need a man in a CGI suit they hire Gollum.

http://tinyurl.com/ye3tl78

[sense 11]

They could do a lot worst then him. Weaving is a solid choice.

[Mel]

Now get Jensen Ackles to play Cap and this movie will ROCK!

[theblacksmith789]

Yes, Jensen Ackles is perfect for the role, get him in.
Hugo weaving is a great choice no doubt about it, how they go about transforming him in to the character is a different story....

[Darren Albert]

I love it how sites around the world completely ignore your title and the fact that you point out negotiations are in a delicate phase, and are instead referencing your article to say he's actually been cast. Sure, he might end up being cast when those talks work out, but he hasn't been yet. Never let accuracy get in the way of a good traffic attracting title, hey?

Thanks for your article though, which is clear and accurate.

[Pele]

I'll jump on the Jensen Ackles bandwagon. Probably the only way I would go see this movie.

[Else Harbeau]

I'm suspicious of this report, as Weaving has spent most of his post-Matrix career turning down roles like this. For one thing, your info that Weaving is repped by CAA is years out of date... Weaving dropped his American agent circa 2006 and is solely represented by Shanahan Management in Australia. It is true that Weaving and Johnston had a good working relationship on The Wolfman, and it's plausible that both Johnston and Marvel would want to sign to actor. But I don't believe this sort of project could generate a script that would impress him. He's spent his career trying to avoid cartoon villain roles. But you're so interested in getting a scoop that you'll run with any rumor and avoid anything involved like research or fact-checking.

[Bernard]

I agree with Yuri, I think Ryan McPartlin would be stupendous casting. Also I like Brad Beyer (previously on Jericho) for the part but he's older and less attractive than most of the names mentioned which make me think he's out.

Remember the actor needs to fit in and clash/lead with Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L Jackson, Don Cheadle and possibly Edward Norton or Jeremy Renner (if he is Hawkeye as rumored) in The Avengers movie. I see someone like Jensen Ackles getting lost in something like that, but McPartlin seems to have a stronger presence which should help.

[JohnK]

Can't quite get my head wrapped around Weaving just yet..we'll see

[Rish Outfield]

God, I'd give your right nut to see Ryan McPartlin as Captain America. His character on "Chuck" is exactly as I would see Cap (minus the goofy surfer talk); he's an impressive presence, tall and handsome, yet very big brotherly and a decent guy to the bone. I pray they stay away from the Ultimates portrayal of Steve Rogers and have him be a true blue, meat & potatoes, aw shucks, old fashioned American hero.

[Just the Facts]

hey else harbeau...you say "I don't believe this sort of project could generate a script that would impress him". Um, did you read WOLFMAN? Or even see it? Maybe that movie would make Hugo stay away from a return engagement with the director, but certainly not a cartoon script. So why don't YOU get your facts straight. Then go get your boss some coffee and stfu.

[Kellie]

Jensen Ackles...YES PLEASE!! HEEHEE

[micro sd card]

he's an impressive presence, tall and handsome, yet very big brotherly and a decent guy to the bone.

[tjgoldstein]

Hmmm. Personally, I think Marc Blucas, who played Riley on Buffy the Vampire Slayer would do nicely as Captain America.. or the other actor who played Graham, also on Buffy.

[acekard ds]

The dealmaking with Weaving is in a delicate stage that will play out in the next day or so. Agencies grouse that Marvel plays hardball in the negotiating process and also demands multi-movie commitments, though the latter usually applies to actors playing its heroes.

[Diggi]

expect it to be wonderful movie :D

Iappreciate movie villains more than any thing else.
Found a nice villain list here:
http://www.topyaps.com/top-10-hollywood-movie-villains/