CHRIS EVANS SIGNED FOR CAPTAIN AMERICA

****
THE WEB GOSSIP
****
The guy or girl that writes this column is a very big industry insider who wishes to remain anonymous, but wants to write about all the headlines happening in Hollywood and the Music Industry.
****


Chris Evans


CAPTAIN MY CAPTAIN --- Actor Chris Evans has officially signed on to portray Marvel’s Captain America … in 4 forthcoming films. Evans essayed The Human Torch in two movies based on The Fantastic Four. As a comic-book geek … even before there was Comic-Con, I'm rather baffled; is he now playing both characters? Evans was spot-on as the Torch, aka Johnny Storm, brother to Sister Sue Storm, The Invisible Woman, and brother in law to Mr. Fantastic. Got that all? As it appears now, Evans will appear solo in a Captain America film and two sequels and will play the same character in an Avengers movie. But, who will play the Torch in the next Fantastic Four-movie; already in pre-production. Evans beat out some heavy hitters in his competition for the role, including, John Krasinski, Michael Cassidy, Patrick Flueger, Scott Porter. Wilson Blethel, and Chace Crawford. The first Captain America movie will be directed by Joe Johnston and be released in 2011. Hugo Weaving from the Matrix-series is set for the villain, the Nazi known as Red Skull. Captain America was created in 1941 by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon for Timely Comics, which later became Marvel. The first issue showed the flag-waving hero delivering a right cross to the jaw of Adolf Hitler. The character was revived by Kirby and Stan Lee in the 1960s to star in the Avengers comic book and his own solo series. For my taste, Evans was terrific in the two FF movies and will bring just the right gravitas and edgy-humor to the role of Steve Rogers aka Captain America.

****


Armand Assante


SHORT HITS --- Actor Armand Assante is rumored to attend Vincent Pastore and Vincent Curatola’s “Rat Pack Revue” on Monday, April 12, to support his cousin Marco Assante … NY’s famed Brill Building at 1650 Broadway has been designated a landmark. That means it’s safe from seedy real estate developers and drugstore franchises. In the early ‘60s it was home to pop songwriters employed by Don Kirshner and Phil Spector. Carole King, Neil Diamond, Sedaka … were all born there. The building has also been featured on the silver screen; it’s where Burt Lancaster’s J.J. Hunsecker lived in “The Sweet Smell of Success.” It was also featured in the immortal “Broadway Danny Rose” from Woody Allen … Famed DJ Glenn Friscia, legendary from the heyday of dance music, is back on the scene in a big way. Look for a big announcement next week about his upcoming plans ... Celebrity-author Mark Bego's "Paperback Writer" memoir is expected to be released via Publish America at the end of the summer. It includes his wild tales with Three Dog Night to The Village People to Angela Bowie and Micky Dolenz ... And, speaking of Dolenz, he ends his run in the U.K. production of "Hairspray" this Monday.


****


Green Day


GREEN SAYS HANKS FOR IT --- Deadline Hollywood reports, The Green Day-fueled American idiot play doesn’t bow on Broadway until April 20, but talks are already underway with Playtone Productions (Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman) to turn the musical into a feature film. The play uses the song of alt-band Green Day to tell the coming of age story of three small town guys. One joins the army, another moves to the city and get mired in a drug habit, while the third stays home and gets his girlfriend pregnant. The musical will be directed by “Spring Awakening’s” Michael Mayer, the music supervisor is Tom Kitt and the band itself, especially lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, and were heavily involved in the show. You've got to give it to Hanks for being a true, multi-hyphenate. His company Playtone, gleaned from the name of the record label in his “That Thing You Do”, has turned out numerous film projects. They say you've got to move on from acting … and, they're right. Playtone’s last musical was the terrific movie “Mama Mia!” featuring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. Critics were not thrilled, but it has earned $610 million. Hanks is currently lensing “Larry Crowne,” with Julia Roberts. Hanks wrote it and is directing it.

Photos By: Sara De Boer/Retna

Comments