Starting today, Marvel Studios has begun filming “Captain America: Civil War” at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta. But based on the cast list, you wouldn”t be faulted for calling it “Avengers 3: AVENGER HARDER.”
Warning: Minor spoilers for “Avengers: Age of Ultron” below.
As “Civil War” is taking a page from the comic book event of the same name, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) take center stage and square their shoulders to face off over the MCU version of the Superhuman Registration Act.
Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) are also on deck to take their places in the lines drawn in the sand.
The “New Avengers” that formed in the wake of “Age of Ultron” will get screen time. Hopefully fight time too! But when it comes down to choosing sides, where will Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Falcon (Antony Mackie), War Machine (Don Cheadle), and The Vision (Paul Bettany) place their loyalties?
Also returning to the field of play are Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Brock Rumlow (Frank Grillo). The former has history with both Captain America and Black Widow. Perhaps even more of Natasha”s secrets from the Red Room Academy will be dragged into the light of day. The latter was a minor “Captain America: Winter Solider” villain who went down in flames – literally – after fighting with Falcon in the S.H.I.E.L.D. offices. The burn scars leave Rumlow with a hate-on for Steve Rogers and a swanky new supervillain name…Crossbones.
Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) also returns as Peggy Carter”s niece. Smart money also has her throwing a wrench into Steve Rogers” resignation to the life of a career soldier without love or a family.
Reminding us all that “The Incredible Hulk” is part of the official MCU lore, General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) enters the “Civil War” Arena. Interestingly Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is not on the cast list at all. Wherever Hulk vanished to in the Quinjet, it appears he”s still MIA. Perhaps that is the reason for the General”s reemergence.
Neither Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) were on the released cast list.
Also missing is Thor (Chris Hemsworth). His conspicuous absence from the casting sheet could mean whatever is happening in “Thor: Ragnarok” is too important for him to bother with the realms of men.
Still no word on Spider-Man either, but that”s to be expected. Also expected after all the Wakanda name-dropping in “Age of Ultron” is the debut of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). Will vibranium feature heavily in whatever drama unfolds?
Not expected? Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) is set to suit up for “Captain America: Civil War” in his first appearance along side the Avengers after his film this July.
Finally, both Martin Freeman and Daniel Brühl have been cast but Marvel did not reveal what character either actor will play. A quick trip to IMDB reveals Brühl is Baron Zemo but Freeman”s role is still a mystery.
From the official Marvel press release:
“Captain America: Civil War” picks up where “Avengers: Age of Ultron” left off, as Steve Rogers leads the new team of Avengers in their continued efforts to safeguard humanity. After another international incident involving the Avengers results in collateral damage, political pressure mounts to install a system of accountability and a governing body to determine when to enlist the services of the team. The new status quo fractures the Avengers while they try to protect the world from a new and nefarious villain.
“Captain America: Civil War” arrives in theaters on May 6, 2016.