‘Captain America: Civil War’ Casting Draws Speculation

When Marvel confirmed its plans for the third Captain America movie – Captain America: Civil War – during the unveiling of its entire “Phase 3” schedule on October 28, 2014, rumors immediately began to swirl around casting choices, and their implications in terms of story.

We were told, at that point, the film would definitely feature Iron Man, as well as the Marvel debut of Black Panther, played by newcomer Chadwick Boseman. But it is the recent addition of Daniel Bruhl that has really whipped speculation into a frenzy. With Deadline reporting that Bruhl is on board as a villainous character, it now begs the question – how many bad guys are going to appear in Captain America: Civil War?

The question arises because, essentially, the Civil War storyline sets Iron Man up as an antagonist. The plot is an epic story arc from the Marvel comic book universe that saw wide-ranging character cross-overs from 2006 to 2007. This source material actually encompassed many individual comic titles but had, at its epicenter, a mini-series focused on the concept of a Superhero Registration Act, which would serve to place legal restrictions and requirements upon the activities and conduct of those extraordinary persons in costume. The prospect of the Act effectively divides the Superhero community in two, with Tony Stark/Iron Man supporting the Act, and Steve Rogers/Captain America standing against it. The conflict, unsurprisingly, has lasting consequences for the Marvel universe.

The film, however, can only be a loose adaptation of that source material because filmmakers will be unable to include characters such as Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four – the rights to whom reside elsewhere. The focus will therefore fall more intensely upon the Stark-versus-Rogers conflict, which is something that has been slowly building throughout the methodical construction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Stark’s father was instrumental in Captain America’s origin story (in Captain America: The First Avenger), and Rogers continually clashed with Tony Stark in Avengers. Those tensions look set to rise even further in Avengers: Age or Ultron, which hits theaters next year. That film will need to be pivotal in terms of transforming Stark’s character from the staunchly anti-authoritarian type he has always been in cinema, to someone willing to go to war with Captain America in support of a Superhero Registration Act.

So, with Iron Man in the “bad guy” corner, who is Daniel Bruhl going to play? The casting of a German actor in a Captain America movie essentially backs up reports that he will play a villain, as many of Cap’s enemies fit that bill – the most legendary of which is Baron Zemo. However, with Iron Man already giving Captain America a headache, Marvel is perhaps taking the opportunity to introduce a villain into the mix who will have a bigger impact in later movies – such as Baron Mordo, who could then reappear in the planned Doctor Strange movie in November 2016. Adding to villainous speculation, however, is the suggestion that actor Frank Grillo (as seen in Captain America: The Winter Soldier) could return as the menacing Crossbones – and rumors persist that it might, in fact, be him filling the antagonist role in the next Captain America movie. This is primarily because Crossbones features heavily in the ‘Civil War’ source material, with the character operating at the direction of interchangeable villain Red Skull – which is, perhaps, another possibility for the casting of Daniel Bruhl.

With Captain America: Civil War essentially acting as the launchpad for Marvel’s Phase 3 of its universe development, it’s safe to say that the repercussions of its events will be felt in Marvel’s movies for some time – both in terms of plot and character. Chadwick Boseman, for example, is set for five films as Black Panther – Captain America: Civil War being the first. It is no great leap to assume the same long-term plan might exist for characters that are more villainous in nature.

Directed by The Winter Soldier helmers Joe and Anthony Russo, the film will see Chris Evans return to the role of the iconic superhero, joined by Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, and Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/The Falcon – whose character, incidentally, has just taken over the mantle of Captain America in the comic book series. Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson have yet to be officially confirmed for the film.

Captain America: Civil War is due for release on May 6, 2016.

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