Captain America for America by Alex Ross

From Scotland’s Sean Connery to Northern Ireland’s Liam Neeson to England’s Michael Caine to Wales’ Anthony Hopkins, the United Kingdom has birthed much great acting talent. In fact, overall, the UK has produced the best actors of the 21^st Century. So, none of what I am about to write is meant to knock the UK (nor any other nation); however, it is meant to celebrate the United States of America.

I am writing this article as both an American patriot and a comic-book fan, for it disgusts me how much patriotism is lacking from comic-book movie adaptations. Also, I chose this day to voice my opinion as a way to celebrate the 4^th of July (Independence Day for the USA).

The problem with adapting comics into movies today is that many lack ‘America’ in them - that is, for comics that are All-American in nature and origin. Despite claims of perhaps politics, finances, or artistic license, the problem factors in two ways: cast and filming locale. Superman Returns - the title character once having been DC Comics’ most patriotic hero, battling the Nazis in the Golden Age of comics just like Marvel’s Captain America - is being filmed in Australia.

While the story takes place in Texas with a cowboy-esque theme to it, Ghost Rider is also being filmed in Australia. Ironically, its American star Nic Cage once pointed out how England is more patriotic with its characters than the US is with ours. When a rumor circulated that he was up for the British role of James Bond (who’s been portrayed by three UK actors, one Irish, and one Australian), Cage noted, “You can have a Brit play Batman but you can't have an American play Bond, that will never happen.”

[see “Cage Rules Out 007 Role” article at IMDb.com - 7^th one down the page]

Batman Begins was filmed primarily in England (though some Chicago scenes were filmed) by a British director, and 5 of the 9 major characters were cast with actors from the UK. Gotham, in the comics, is an American city, and Bruce Wayne, an All-American kind of guy. The only character in the comics who is British is Alfred, so Michael Caine is the only fitting cast member as far as nationality is concerned. The film and cast in general were superb, but my criticism is merely to demonstrate the lack of patriotism shown for American characters.

While Fantastic Four boasts primarily American actors, a CBM exclusive interview with Ioan Gruffudd - who portrays Mr. Fantastic, the team leader - helps point out one way in which comic-book movies are losing the American spirit when it comes to casting by noting how two major characters are being played by Welsh actors this year.

Another lack of patriotism is shown via broadcasting. I don’t know if any other shows do it, but acquaintances of mine living in Canada say that new episodes of the animated series “Justice League Unlimited” air in Canada before they do in the USA! Why not air them concurrently in both nations?

Finally, I’d like to finish my article off by commending director Michael Bay for his patriotism. When asked in an interview with IESB* where he’d be filming Transformers since a lot of live-action adaptations are going abroad, Bay said he’d stay here. His actual were words “I’m an American-made movie guy. I shoot in America.”

HAPPY 4^th of JULY, BABY!

*Windows Media Player required