CHRIS EVANS as “CAPTAIN AMERICA”
Born: June 13, 1981 in Boston, MA
Height: 6’0
Personal Quote:
“If you want to be around in 10 years you’ve got to do something to differentiate yourself from the pack.”
Non-Marvel (MCU) Highlights:
Not Another Teen Movie (‘Jake Wyler’), Fantastic Four (‘Johnny Storm’), Snowpiercer (‘Curtis’)
SUMMARY:
There were a lot of skeptics out there (including me) when Chris Evans (‘Johnny Storm’) was originally cast as the ‘First Avenger’. Could some young guy known for playing hyper-ego driven characters really embody Captain America, the symbol of Freedom and Liberty? Turns out, Evans proved more than worthy of the role, and now it’s hard to imagine anyone else but him sporting the red, white and blue. I disclose complete bias in that I am 100% rooting for ‘Team Captain America’ in Civil War (sorry, Natasha)!
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
A truly underrated gem, if you haven’t seen the teen spoof “Not Another Teen Movie” you’re missing out:
ANTHONY MACKIE as “FALCON”
Born: September 23, 1978 in New Orleans, LA
Height: 5’11
Personal Quote:
“You never see girls running after engineers.”(on why he chose acting over a career as an engineer)
Non-Marvel Highlights:
Million Dollar Baby (‘Shawrelle Berry’), We Are Marshall (‘Nate Ruffin’), The Hurt Locker (‘Sergeant JT Sanborn’, Won Best Supporting Actor, Black Reel Awards)
SUMMARY:
If you think Anthony Mackie looks familiar, it’s because this guy is a true ‘scene stealer’. Dating all the way back with his silver screen debut as ‘Papa Doc’ in 8 Mile, Mackie has been making memorable appearances in both movies and television for the last 15 years. While Falcon might not be a primary player in the MCU, you can’t help but feel that Mackie deserves a bigger chunk of screen time.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
Here’s Mackie showing off a few dance movies in Spike TV’s “Lip Sync Battle”:
ELIZABETH OLSEN as “SCARLET WITCH”
Born: November 22, 1984 in Sherman Oaks, CA
Height: 5’6
Personal Quote:
“I never wanted anyone to think that I would use my family name to get me anywhere.”
Non-Marvel Highlights:
Martha Marcy May Marlene (‘Martha’), Oldboy (‘Marie Sebastian’), Godzilla 2014 (‘Elle Brody’)
SUMMARY:
Having only gotten a ‘preview’ of her potential in Age of Ultron, I’m truly looking forward to seeing what Elizabeth Olsen can do with the Scarlet Witch character. The MCU desperately needed another strong female, and Olsen’s acting chops appear to be much more substantial than her more famous sisters (and please don’t hold Godzilla against her…the movie was fun, but that script was awful!)
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
After watching several videos on YouTube, I’ve come to the conclusion that Olsen might be one of the most likeable actresses in Hollywood. Check out this clip of her and Chris Evans ‘dancing off’ on the Ellen show:
JEREMY RENNER as “HAWKEYE”
Born: January 7, 1971 in Modesto, CA
Height: 5’10
Personal Quote:
“Happy to let Tom Cruise do stunts, would rather have a doughnut.”
Non-Marvel Highlights:
The Hurt Locker (‘Staff Sergeant William James’, Nominated Best Actor, Academy Awards), The Town (‘James Coughlin’, Nominated Best Supporting Actor, Academy Awards), Mission Impossible Franchise (‘William Brandt’)
SUMMARY:
Jeremy Renner brings the ‘human’ aspect to the MCU as Clint Barton aka Hawkeye. Lacking any kind of super powers, extreme intelligence or wealth, Hawkeye’s contribution is instead found in his loyalty, his empathy, and his reminding us of the importance of family. While he has taken the occasional leading role in his career, Renner seems perfectly happy being part of an ensemble cast and, in the case of the Avengers, the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
Renner’s got some musical talent – check out this video featuring ‘Hawkeye’ singing about some of his lesser-known powers:
SEBASTIAN STAN as “WINTER SOLDIER”
Born: August 13, 1982 in Constanta, Romania
Height: 6’0
Personal Quote:
“I seem to keep ending up with these bad boy characters. I don’t understand what’s going on. I walk the street in New York feeling like I’m Paul Rudd or something, but apparently no one else sees it that way.”
Non-Marvel Highlights:
Black Swan (‘Andrew’), Once Upon a Time TV Series (‘The Mad Hatter’), The Martian (‘Chris Beck’)
SUMMARY:
Perhaps the least known actor on Team Cap, Sebastian Stan broke onto the scene with his portrayal of Steve Roger’s best friend, Bucky Barnes. By the 2nd Captain America film, Stan’s character had transformed into the Winter Soldier, and now fans are eagerly waiting to see what role this good-guy-turned-villain-turned-man-on-the-run will play in the MCU. Regardless of his future as Bucky / the Winter Soldier, Stan will no doubt be on Hollywood’s radar moving forward.
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
Though he was only on the show for a short time, Stan’s ‘Mad Hatter’ was one of the more memorable characters from ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”:
PAUL RUDD as “ANT-MAN”
Born: April 6, 1969 in Passaic, NJ
Height: 5’10
Personal Quote:
“I can, and do, walk the street. No one bothers me or anything, because most people wouldn’t know who I am.”
Non-Marvel Highlights:
Clueless (‘Josh’), Anchorman (‘Brian Fantana’), The 40-Year Old Virgin (‘David’)
SUMMARY:
Thank you, Paul Rudd. Thank you for all the laughter you have brought to the lives of all your fans, especially in your role as Scott Lang aka Ant-Man…for the MCU desperately needed your humor to keep its levity so that it didn’t risk becoming a movie that resembles, well, the kind of film that DC keeps putting out. I’m already waving the flag for Team Cap, but the fact that Scott Lang is standing on Cap’s side makes my position that much more fun!
VIDEO SPOTLIGHT:
Of course Paul Rudd has a ‘Top 10 Performances’ video…and here it is!:
