Marvel Movies Update; Bad Timing for Hamm?

Comingsoon.net dispensed some details about the Marvel properties getting the Hollywood treatment through 2012 after listening to Marvel’s quarterly earnings call this week. Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor” starts filming in Q1 2010, and Joe Johnston’s “The First Avenger: Captain America” will start filming in summer 2010. Cast confirmations will be coming sooner for “Thor” than for “Captain America,” it seems. So figure that Steve Rogers will have a prominent role in “The Avengers,” what with him being the leader of the team, and all that. And whoever stars in “Captain America” will probably jump right into “The Avengers.”

The Tiny Cast of Mad Men

This may not play so well for our guy, Jon Hamm, depending on how his “Mad Men” schedule works out. Season three of the series about 60s-era Madison Avenue advertising execs just started filming a week ago, and it will premiere on AMC in August. If a fourth season is a go and films on the same timetable, it is possible that Jon Hamm would not be able to film Mad Men in the spring, then leap into Captain America, then film The Avengers, and then back to a possible fifth season of the show.

Anything is possible, of course, but it is something to keep in mind. The good thing is that we still won’t have casting news of Captain America easily until Autumn of this year. Let’s just keep spreading the word and being positive. Don’t forget, Jon Hamm Should Play Captain America!

Are We Spinning Our Wheels?

First, big shout-out and thanks for the link in Zap2it’s From Inside The Box’s recent post speculating on the casting choices for Steve Rogers. Sure, I’m not a fan of them leading off with McConaughey, but who would be? (Anyone else raising a fist to the sky and yelling “MCCONAUGHEEEYYY!!!” through gritted teeth?) But they do mention other contenders, including America’s Actor, Jon Hamm. And Jon gets equal coverage to McConaughey, so that’s pretty good. It’s also good to know that Jon Hamm is absolutely whipping the other contenders listed in the poll they have going over there.

A fellow who linked to us on Twitter had a nice observation that I thought should be addressed. Even if we, as Jon Hamm fans, demand and advocate for Jon Hamm’s casting in the “The First Avenger: Captain America,” due out in July, 2011, does Jon even want it? A good question, to be sure. Are we wasting our time here?

I’d argue with a cautious, “No.” Look, Jon Hamm is a respectable actor who has obviously proven to have a great deal of range in the comedy and drama genres. The important word there is “actor,” which in Hollywood often translates into “happy to have a job.” At this point, of course we can’t say definitively if he wants the gig, which would likely include at least two sequels and prominent role in “The Avengers” due out the following year. But as a working actor who had his major breakthrough less than two years ago, perhaps it’s not a bad idea to join major superhero film projects that are attached to Robert Downey’s career rebirth, Sam Jackson’s turn as badass Nick Fury, and Edward Norton’s interesting take on the Hulk, and whoever the hell is playing Thor. So, the question might be, would Jon Hamm want to join a bunch of A-Listers in Marvel’s craziest movie gambit since “Daredevil?” The answer is likely the same as a different question: Is Jon Hamm an actor?

The man can do what he wants, either way, so let’s have fun putting a public face to this fantastic casting idea. And if he sends his goons to my secret loft hideaway in the midwest to shut me down, I won’t put up a fight. The e-mail address is on the contact page, so I’m just a few mouse clicks away.

Jon Hamm Fans, You Are Not Alone

As soon as Marvel decided it was going to go nuclear with releasing Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, The Avengers, Thor, and Ant-Man as Marvel Studios films over the next few years, casting suggestions have been flying all around Internets. But it takes the right visionaries to put these films together, and of course it takes the right actors to fill the tights, as it were, of our favorite superheroes. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark was inspired casting. Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, good but not redhot. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, a stellar choice. Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock wasn’t my favorite. Everyone loved Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier. Others may have found Nicholas Cage as Johnny Blaze a bit silly. Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker was just about as perfect as you can get.

Casting Steve Rogers requires a well-tuned perception into what makes a man a hero. An actor who can portray weakness and frailty, but then later demonstrate confidence and strength, will win the role. Cap is a hero who becomes a leader because of the men and women who need him to fight. Very few gentlemen have the ability to capture that character, but one leading man in particular has what it takes.

We are not the first to say these simple words: Jon Hamm should play Captain America.

What is important is the first part of that sentence. We are not the first to say this. All across the Internet, Jon Hamm’s name has been popping up as the underdog casting choice.

• The first one to publicly suggest Jon Hamm is likely this commenter on a Slashfilm post about Cap’s Shield showing up in the Iron Man movie. This is in May of 2008!
• Thomas over at his The Movie Blog makes the first truly coherent argument to cast Jon Hamm as Captain America in August of 2008, and he comments on this Variety.com entry that likens Jon Hamm to the next George Clooney in October. Thomas’s post is required reading.
• Brilliant humorist and McSweeney’s contributor Andrew Bridgman briefly posts his recommendation in September 2008.
• Jon Hamm’s name gets tosses around as a possible contender for Green Lantern on Ain’t It Cool News, but commenters suggest he would be better suited as Captain America in early October.
• Over at Screen Rant, commenters also point out Jon Hamm’s appropriate WWII-era looks, also in October.
• Further support for Hamm-as-Rogers is seen at FlimFlam.net.
• Commenters on a JoBlo.com post about Johnston’s directing assignment bring up Jon Hamm.
• A post about the film and the casting choices over at the IGN message boards also includes support for our guy in November.
• The same day as the IGN post, Pajiba’s Dustin Rowles discusses the film’s director Joe Johnston and supports Jon Hamm because, quote, “Why the fuck not, you know? He just looks like a Steve Rogers, doesn’t he?”
• One lone commenter suggests Jon Hamm amid a sea of insane suggestions over at Film School Rejects.
• Geoff Boucher at the LATimes blogs that he’s heard such buzz on the Internet on March 13.
• Finally, critic/writer/entertainment writer Scott Mendelson cross-posted his case for the casting across three blogs, and also gives credit to Thomas’s argument at The Movie Blog.

This is not a complete list by any means. Many other voices have spoken about this in chat rooms, comic book stores, and slumber parties across the globe. JHSPCA is the place to bring these voices together, so all supporters of this brilliant casting suggestion have a place to go and be heard daily. Remember, you are not alone.

Come back every day and participate. Link to us on your blog, Facebook, your Twitter feed. Tell a friend or teacher or minister about us. Jon Hamm and the fates of “The First Avenger: Captain America” and “The Avengers” may very well depend on it.

Free Comic Book Day

In less than two weeks, Free Comic Book Day arrives! Free Comic Book Day is the day when specialty comic book shops across the globe offer free select comic books to anyone who visits their stores. It’s been a wildly successful program that introduces new kids of all ages to comic books of both mainstream and independent parts of the industry.

Captain America, as well as a plethora of other Marvel Comics characters, will be showing up in the 2009 issue of Free Comic Book Day’s “The Avengers.” Below is the cover and small snippet of Cap’s appearance.

We here at JHSPCA encourage you and your loved ones to visit a comic shop near you on Free Comic Book Day to find out about this art form. Not sure if your local store will be participating? Check out the official site to see if your favorite shop will have a free comic comic just for you! No official word from Jon Hamm about FCBD, but we’re confident he would back a program that promotes literacy and art among the citizenry.

Jon Hamm Versus Justin Timberlake

Welcome to “Jon Hamm Versus,” where we will take a look at possible contenders for the lead role of Steve Rogers/Captain America in the upcoming film “The First Avenger: Captain America,” slated for release on July 22, 2011. Next up, America’s Actor – Jon Hamm – squares off against singer/songwriter/dancer/actor/producer Justin Timberlake.

The year? 2000. The place? Your local Top 40 radio station. The song? “Bye Bye Bye” by ‘N Sync. As the biggest boyband of that era, ‘N Sync had a meteoric rise to the top, busting charts and exhibiting dance moves no human had seen before. “Bye Bye Bye” was the hit single off their third studio album “No Strings Attached” and is the song now most associated with the group.

[YouTube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JoJqID-wJY]

What also happened in 2000? Actor extraordinaire Jon Hamm makes his on-screen debuts on two network series and a feature film. I don’t think anyone here doesn’t remember “The Hughleys” successful episode that featured Jon Hamm as Buzz, which hit the airwaves a full five weeks before “No Strings Attached” dropped. Later that August, “Space Cowboys” was released to theaters, the hilarious film about over-the-hill astronauts who get another crack at adventure in the cosmos. Jon Hamm appeared as Young Pilot #2 in the movie that would gross about $90 million domestically. Finally, he portrayed Jackson in the pilot episode in ABC’s series “The Trouble With Normal,” which saw early cancellation later that season.

Since those pre-9/11 days, Justin Timberlake soared even higher than his bandmates and became the de facto male pop star of his generation, and Jon Hamm became an household-name actor adored by millions of fans and critics alike. These titans of media each could bring something unique to the role of Steve Rogers: Timberlake with his poppin’-fresh dance moves, Hamm with his extremely nuanced acting ability. But the one thing Hamm does not have to worry about is promoting an album or a worldwide concert tour. Rumor has it that Justin Timberlake has a new album due in 2009, and that should keep him way too busy to headline a Captain America movie, let alone co-star in the ensemble actioner “The Avengers” which will come out in 2012. Justin Timberlake is a superstar in his own right who has proven he does not need another boyband to hold him back. JT could never return to being a team player as an Avenger, but Jon Hamm has shown he can play well with others with his many television series credits.

Jon Hamm wins!