There's still one huge role in the Marvel stable that needs filling, and that's Captain America. Mike Fleming at Deadline.com reports that the Joe Johnston-directed adaptation of the comic book is near to settling on a lead actor, and there are seven contenders for the role: Chace Crawford, John Krasinski (!), Scott Porter, Mike Vogel, Michael Cassidy, Patrick Flueger, and Garrett Hedlund. Who has what it takes? Let's go over their pros and cons:
Chace Crawford
Age: 24
Best Known For: Gossip Girl
Pros: Handsome, young enough for sequels, was one of the least embarrassing things about Twelve
Cons: Isn't he already signed to do Footloose during his summer hiatus? And would his girl-approved presence threaten the fanboys drawn to this project?
Physique: In excellent, beefcake model shape
Michael Cassidy
Age: 26
Best Known For: Playing spoiler in the Seth/Summer romance during Season Two of The OC
Pros: Was actually decent as the bad guy on The CW's Hidden Palms, which I think no one saw but me
Cons: I mean, if you need someone from The OC, Ben McKenzie's sitting around waiting to hear the fate of Southland, so...
Physique: Google Image Search is frustratingly inconclusive on this one.
John Krasinski
Age: 30
Best Known For: Glancing at the camera on The Office
Pros: Probably the best actor of the bunch, and the biggest name. Certainly, the curiosity factor would be high.
Cons: Wow, really? John Krasinski? It would certainly erode his typecasting -- still, Krasinski hasn't had the best luck with big-screen projects (see License to Wed, Leatherheads).
Physique: Tall, skinny and hairy, though we'd love to see how they explain Jim's sudden bulking-up on The Office.
Scott Porter
Age: 30
Best Known For: Friday Night Lights
Pros: This Verge alum is square-jawed and critic-approved, and can play younger than his thirty years. Already loves comic books
Cons: Far too few opportunities for Captain America to beatbox.
Physique: Already in possession of a generically worked-out, smooth actor chest.
Mike Vogel
Age: 30
Best Known For: Getting killed in Cloverfield and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Pros: Hollywood keeps trying to make this guy happen.
Cons: In both Cloverfield and the upcoming She's Out of My League, Vogel is surrounded with barely-known actors and still makes almost no impression.
Physique: Has the Men's Health look
Patrick Flueger
Age: 26
Best Known For: USA sci-fi series The 4400
Pros: Impressed in a small role as Tobey Maguire's tortured fellow soldier in Brothers
Cons: Initially wasn't even part of Fleming's report -- maybe he's hanging on by a thread?
Physique: Skinny in Brothers, but he may have recovered since then.
Garrett Hedlund
Age: 25
Best Known For: Until now, Four Brothers, though he's the lead in the upcoming, megabudgeted Tron Legacy
Pros: Can act, is handsome but not in a generic paint-by-numbers way, has heat off of Tron
Cons: Isn't willing to test for the role -- yet.
Physique: Lanky with potential.