When it comes to making comic book films, I’d wager making the costumes that work so well on the page translate to a big screen setting can be a tough business. Bryan Singer got it right with his X-Men franchise got when the team skipped the spandex and bright colours for some cool black leather.
The first Batman film gave Michael Keaton muscles when he didn’t really have them; at least not the ripped abs the suit he’d wear for two films demonstrated. I’d say that costume was a pretty solid success.
With characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Superman, filmmakers have adhered pretty darn close to how their comic counterparts have appeared. But one question on the minds of many comic fans is what Chris Evans would be wearing when he stars as the one and only Captain America in next year’s Marvel Studios fiilm Captain America: The First Avenger. It’s fair to think that this particular outfit would be harder to put together than any of the others I’ve mentioned, since it is a fellow essentially clad as the stars and stripes. I think it’s fair to say that adhering too close to the costume’s comic origins didn’t come off to well in the first Captain America film back in 1990 (don’t worry, almost nobody saw it either).
Earlier this week, thanks to the fine folks at Joblow and Ain’t It Cool News, fans got a chance to see the designs for the new Captain America outfit. What were thought to be fan designs wound up being the real deal, and I for one am pleased and excited by what I’ve seen.
The feel is something along the lines of Cap’s outfit in The Ultimates series and seems a lot more plausible and practical than the typical costume Cap wears in the regular Marvel Universe, whether by Steve Rogers or Bucky. I think the hardest sell about a Captain America film will be having the average moviegoer accept a hero dressing up in the sort of outfit that defines Cap. But looking at the above design and the way that Chris Evans should be projecting himself, I certainly think director Joe Johnston and the folks at Marvel are on the right track. What do you think?
Captain America: The First Avenger hits theatres July 22, 2011.
