Joe Johnston, a safe, predictable and rather unstimulating director who probably checks both ways no less than four times before crossing the street – is taking no risks with his casting of The Red Skull, the lead villain in The First Avenger: Captain America which films in June.
The Hollywood Reporter say iconic screen villain Hugo Weaving is in talks, and I guess we all know what we are going to get from him. The iconic voice, the expressive angry dog-growl face, the slight smirk of confidence and no doubt, a little bit of baggage that still haunts his roles even a decade on from The Matrix.
If he agrees to the low-ball Marvel offer ($300,000 is all the lead is getting), Weaving will play Hitler’s right hand man, the Nazi propaganda mastermind, the great military strategist and sadistic genocidal villain who covers his face with a red mask. Think – The Joseph Goebbels of the Captain America universe, his version of The Joker.
He pre-dates Captain America and is well established as a terror of Europe before the U.S. enter World War II in Dec 1941. In fact, I believe the super serum soldier is created, in part, to combat The Red Skull himself.
I actually always loved this idea about Cap and thought it would be an interesting idea to explore on film because usually it’s the case that the villain is created because of a superhero’s presence, not the other way around. Having a well established villain already operating in evil antics is a neat idea.
Briefly: I think Weaving is better suited to Siniestro, and the Red Skull SHOULD be played by an uber-German but Christoph Waltz’s are hard to find and Weaving is a safe choice. Expect Cap casting soon, remember it’s down to a few names.
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11 Comments
Are you crazy? Weaving is perfect for this role!
Am I crazy?
Probably.
Is he perfect for the role?
Maybe. I would have said a German is always the best nationality to go for when casting a Nazi, but there you go.
I’m sure Weaving will be good in the movie though. It’s a safe choice, if not altogether original.
Maybe they’ll just use his voice? He has a very rich tone and brilliant delivery.
Given Blood Creek, I think Michael Fassbender could have pulled this off, especially as he speaks the lingo.
Red Skull = Christopher Waltz
Hugo Weaving = Sinestro
Hugo Weaving would be better than a Christoph Waltz. Could you imagine Waltz’s voice emanating out of that mask?? It would be unintentionally hilarious. But Weaving’s voice … much different. Weaving did an excellent job as V in V FOR VENDETTA with his entire face covered. He’ll do the same here.
I’m not saying Waltz should have got the part, I’m saying an unknown actor from Germany that the director could cast and mould into an iconic presence.
Here’s the thing about Weaving. When you hear his voice behind a mask.. will you hear Red Skull or will you hear the guy who played Agent Smith?
V for Vendetta had the same problem.
I didn’t hear agent smith’s voice in v for vendetta. For the longest time I didn’t even realize it was the same guy. I realize it is his most iconic role, but if he is behind a mask most people won’t make the connection. I like the casting personally.
While I don’t necessarily agree with KC – I definitely heard it as Weaving – he is good enough to project a new personality onto the character that has nothing to do with Agent Smith.
For the record: Christoph Waltz is AUSTRIAN, not German. It is an important distinction… like calling a Canadian an American, or a Scott an Englishman… similar language… linked landmass… but different country entirely.
Perfect casting. A truly great actor is not bound by their nationality. That’s why they’re actors and Hollywood is a multi cultural melting pot.