Here he is:

The Wachowski brothers, who have written and are directing the film, have long said that the actors will play multiple characters in intersecting story lines, and this image should prove that they weren’t lying. I’m sure we can expect other collages soon, but bask in the glory of Weaving for now.

The film spends a healthy first act on Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as the digitally shrunken 90 lb. weakling. It establishes Rogers’ nobility and sincerity well so that you’re really proud of him when he becomes the super soldier, instead of resenting Evans for having such impressive abs.

'Captain America' Trailer: Still No Sympathy For Nazis

The ‘40s World War II setting does a lot to enhance the sense of wonder of a comic book movie. You really get to live in a fantasy world, with old New York City and a World’s Fair-esque Stark expo. The idea of Captain America first used as a marketing tool to sell war bonds makes the period really engaging. You get to see production numbers and the patriotism feels innocent when it’s WWII.

Supporting characters shine in this section too. Col. Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) is hardass deadpan funny. Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) never overdoes it as a potential love interest. The movie never really allows Rogers to enjoy his new ladies man status, but at least Carter isn’t reduced to an object.

6 photosHayley Atwell

Meanwhile Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) is so evil that the Nazis are too small time for him, so he starts his own Hydra party. Eventually we have to stop having fun so Rogers can rescue the troops Schmidt captured, expose him as Red Skull and fight bigger and badder opponents.

The action is actually not Captain America’s strong suit. A lot of it looks obviously green screen. I mean, when there are miles and miles of factory or warehouse behind them, I know they didn’t build that set. That makes a chase scene lack any feeling of distance. There are no knockdown, drag-out fights. Each confrontation has one gag that the enemy tries against Cap, and then he solves it.

It’s still fun to see the Steve Rogers we know is all heart finally get a body to match. His first foot chase through New York has the thrill of discovering his own strength, along with a few goofy jumps from car to car. A train sequence is well constructed, though still 50/50 fake looking. The montage really highlights all of Cap’s moves, and plenty of lame CG shots too, but it showcases his powers and there could be a whole other movie in those WWII missions.

I enjoyed the film overall, I’m just explaining why it’s not quite Spider-Man, or X-Men: First Class or even Iron Man. But if the fans of Iron Man can forgive a 15 minute flashback including a Powerpoint presentation of Stark family backstory, they should love Captain America equally, flaws and all.

Captain America hits theaters July 22. Check out the poster below.

4 photos'Captain America' Set Photos Prove Nerd Muscle Chamber Is Fake

4 photos'Captain America' Set Photos Prove Nerd Muscle Chamber Is Fake

The Wachowskis have once again called upon Hugo Weaving because of his talent for playing a fuckload of dudes. However in Cloud Atlas, Weaving won’t play hundreds of the same guy. In a feat of Eddie Murphian-strength, the Red Skull will play six different characters in the film that follows six different storylines across time that tie into one another. We don’t know who Weaving will portray as of yet, but we do know that the storylines follow a 19th century notary on a Pacific expedition, a female journalist in 1970′s California, a clone in a futuristic dystopia, a bisexual musician in the 1930′s, a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world, and an aging publisher in present day London.

The film also stars Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Susan Sarandon, Ben Whishaw, and Jim Broadbent. Each actor is also expected to play multiple roles. Man, that’s a lot of Burger King commemorative glasses to expect us to collect. (Filmonic)

In case you’re a little rusty on your Tolkien, both of these titles come from chapters of the book (“An Unexpected Party” and “There and Back Again”).  Now, since I don’t have anything else to say about these confirmed titles, here’s a massive list of the cast:

See Video Of Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ Being Made Before Your Very Eyes

Whew! No wonder the movie is in two parts. (ComingSoon)

“Mitchell’s 2004 novel follows six storylines that include a 19th century American notary, a poor British musician in the 1930s, a journalist in 1970s California, a vanity press publisher in the early 21st century, a rebellious clone in the near future and a primitive Hawaiian tribesman surviving after the apocalypse. Each actor in the film will be playing multiple roles.”

This is either going to be amazing or terrible. Or, you know, somewhere in between. Anyway, Hugo Weaving has signed on, which is continuing his relationship with the Wachowskis through the Matrix trilogy and V for Vendetta. He’s joining Tom Hanks, along with Halle Berry and Ben Whishaw. So be sure to keep them in your thoughts – they definitely have their work cut out for them. (The Hollywood Reporter)

In the book, Elrond provides shelter for Bilbo and company during their journey, laying the groundwork for their friendship. The extent this scene will be spotlighted in the film in unknown, but expect more than a cameo.

This news follows Orlando Bloom‘s statement that his character, Legolas, will also make an appearance. No word on that front since early April.

During his blab-a-thon, McKellan also revealed that the first unit production will be taking break while Martin Freeman leaves the set to film three “Sherlock” episodes for televisions. Selfish, Martin. I’d expect better from you.

These announcements confirm two things: 1)Production on The Hobbit is in full swing down in New Zealand, and 2) Ian McKellan has kind of a big mouth for a Knight. If he gets on Twitter, I’m calling for another revolution. (Playlist)

He’s a Nazi too, although I don’t see any swastikas on his shiny leather uniform. I’m never one to complain about a lack of swastikas, though. (via /Film)

Perhaps it’s unfair to judge a character’s look by its mass-market Halloween costume spin-off. This one doesn’t do Edward Cullen any favors. Unfortunately, this Red Skull isn’t the first laughable image of Captain America we’ve seen. If more images like these get hoisted up the flag pole, I don’t think too many people are gonna be saluting. (Collider)

_{Dat ass.}

This morning I posted Chris Evans as Captain America: The First Avenger looking all stoic on the cover of Entertainment Weekly. Now I have more pictures for your eyeballs. The above pic focuses on Captain America‘s ass, or shield if you’d prefer. After the jump, check out Hugo Weaving as the early incarnation of Red Skull and Chris Evans shirtless **splashes glass of water on face**

(/Film)

AICN snagged some very official looking concept images of what Chris Evans could maybe possibly look like as Captain America. Marvel has not yet confirmed their authenticity, so basically they could be you or me, probably you, jerking around on the computer in a basement, surrounded by American flags and Nazi scalps. In which case, I commend you. That’s an impressive collection of Nazi scalps.

More unofficially official images of Captain America after the jump.

_{What is it with people and their five fingers?}

Toby Jones is in final negotiations to play villain Armin Zola in Captain America: The First Avenger. Title not look familiar? That’s because it used to be The First Avenger: Captain America. Give yourself a few days to adjust. Like when your parents got divorced.

The British actor is best known for playing Truman Capote in Infamous, Karl Rove in W., and the grocery clerk with a penchant for gun slinging in The Mist. He’ll be joining Hugo Weaving, who’s already been cast as Red Skull, in an effort to give Captain America a really tough time. Jones’ character, Armin Zola, is a scientific genius specializing in genetics and cloning. So don’t be surprised when a herd of two-headed sheep stampede an entire city. (/Film)

Without an actor currently set to portray Steve Rogers, Marvel at least has a nemesis cast to slapbox whoever eventually wins the role. Hugo Weaving is reportedly renting his iconic forehead to the makers of The First Avenger: Captain America. Joe Johnston has hired Weaving to portray the Red Skull, a nefarious character described as, "the most evil man who ever lived. The symbol of hate. The incarnation of torture. A bane to all those who would live free from tyranny. A major dick." 

The negotiation process is currently underway, but is said to be in a delicate stage. Joe Johnston can’t imagine anyone else in the role. "C’mon. Look at that forehead," he commented. "We won’t even need prosthetics. It’s going to save us hours in the makeup chair." (THR)

You can excuse any actor on the set of a Transformers film of phoning it in for a paycheck but in the case of Hugo Weaving, that’s exactly what he did. In fact, the voice of Megatron has never met director Michael Bay.

"Michael Bay talks to me on the phone. I’ve never met him. We were doing the voice for the second one and I still hadn’t seen the first one. I still didn’t really know who the characters were and I didn’t know what anything was."

Well, I saw the movies and I still don’t really know who the characters are or what anything is. My hope for the sequel is that everyone (robots included) wear name tags. And speaking of the sequel, from Weaving:

"Oh no. They’re not making another Transformers, are they?"

My sentiments exactly. (from The Age)