Joe Johnston is probably best recognized for directing Jurassic Park III, but with The Wolf Man remake coming out next year and now news he will direct Captain America for Marvel he may be known more for his future than his past.
The news comes from Entertainment Weekly, who also report something I had not heard and that is The First Avenger: Captain America will be in production at the exact same time as Marvel’s superhero team-up flick The Avengers and whoever plays Captain America will be needed “for a crucial appearance.”
Both Captain America and The Avengers (a film that will include the likes of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America and more) are set for summer 2011 releases with Captain America on May 6 and The Avengers on July 15. The only cast that has been confirmed for either flick is Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man in The Avengers. Matthew McConaughey has been rumored for the part of Captain America, but that is nothing more than gossip at this point.
The supposed official synopsis for Captain America reads as follows:
Born during the Great Depression, Steve Rogers grew up a frail youth in a poor family. Horrified by the newsreel footage of the Nazis in Europe, Rogers was inspired to enlist in the army. However, because of his frailty and sickness, he was rejected. Overhearing the boy’s earnest plea, General Chester Phillips offered Rogers the opportunity to take part in a special experiment… Operation: Rebirth. After weeks of tests, Rogers was at last administered the ‘Super-Soldier Serum’ and bombarded by ‘vita-rays.’ Steve Rogers emerged from the treatment with a body as perfect as a body can be and still be human. Rogers was then put through an intensive physical and tactical training program. Three months later, he was given his first assignment as Captain America. Armed with his indestructible shield and and battle savvy, Captain America has continued his war against evil both as a sentinel of liberty and leader of the Avengers.
Outside of directing, Johnston was involved with the special effects crew on all three original Star Wars films and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
