Robert Redford In ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier,’ Negotiations Begin

Robert Redford has entered negotiations to star in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Deadline reported on Friday.

According to an anonymous tipster, the 53-year acting veteran is in talks for “a senior leadership role” within S.H.I.E.L.D., the governing body of superheroes (so to speak), but the character has yet to be named.

Given S.H.I.E.L.D.’s presence throughout the Marvel superhero universe, it’s likely Redford could spill over into other film projects as well for the studio — unless, of course, Cap (Chris Evans) does a lousy job of protecting him.

(There’s also a chance he could go rogue in the film, thus forcing Cap to take him out. You never know.)

If a deal is reached, then the Sundance Film Festival founding father, who has long been a champion for independent film, will be entering Hollywood blockbuster territory for the first time in — well, a while.

Redford’s body of work has never really lent itself to big budget action and explosions. His last film with a pulse-pounding center was Spy Game in 2001, and before that the resume was equally sparse.

The only time Redford’s films seemed to cross over to blockbuster standing was when Academy Awards were attached.

(See Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid or The Sting.)

Since 2001, his catalog has settled peacefully into heady drama territory with turns in The Clearing, An Unfinished Life, and the politically charged dud Lions for Lambs, which according to Box Office Mojo, grossed just $15 million in domestic box office.

(That was despite having Redford, Meryl Streep, and Tom Cruise attached.)

Robert Redford in Captain America: The Winter Soldier could help introduce Redford’s work to younger audiences.

It would certainly be a first for the actor applying his craft to a project heavy on green screens instead of locations. It could also lend further credibility to Marvel as it continues to ride the wave of success from The Avengers and its numerous tie-ins.

Should you still wish to see Redford in a more serious role, he has The Company You Keep coming opposite Shia LaBeouf later this year. You can also track down his All the President’s Men Revisited documentary from 2012.

Would you like to see Robert Redford in Captain America: The Winter Soldier? What do you think of casting him as a leader of S.H.I.E.L.D.?

[Image via s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]