Could Will Smith be the next Captain America? According to actor Derek Luke, Smith has already been offered the role. The folks over at MTV give us this:
“I heard they offered Will Smith ‘Captain America,’” said Luke, adding that the intriguing casting rumor “just shows you how times have changed.” While this word through the Hollywood grapevine is nothing more than a rumor at this point, it should be noted that Marvel hasn’t shied away from changing up the race – and gender – of established characters in recent years. Upon kicking off his celebrated take on “The Ultimates” (Marvel’s re-imagining of their classic superteam The Avengers), Mark Millar changed S.H.I.E.L.D. head honcho Nick Fury from a crew-cut, cigar-chomping, middle-aged white man to, well… Sam Jackson.
Ok, now let me deal with two separate issues this brings up:
1) A Black Guy Playing Captain America
I’m actually ok with this idea. Captain America is a Marvel character and as such he is whatever they say he is. Besides, they have changed race of other classic characters before and on screen it’s even worked a couple of time. The important thing isn’t the color of the characters hair or eyes or skin… it’s capturing the essence of who the character is that’s important.
2) Can Smith Capture The Essence Of Captain America?
This is where I say NO. I like Will Smith as a performer. I think he’s talented, has loads of charisma, charm is most importantly is pretty fun to watch… but the character of Captain America is a total departure from the presence Smith brings. America is a totally different character and I just don’t see Smith embodying the essence of who Steve Rogers is. Maybe a younger Denzel Washington could have… but not Will Smith.
At the end of the day I wouldn’t put too much stock in this rumor, but I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand either.
So what do you think. Can you see Smith as Captain America?
