What Would Cap Do?

I often ask this question of myself, when deciding things, especially about freedom, force, and heroism. In this case, I am asking the question, what would Captain America do, if he could pick his own director for his movie?

Well, he'd probably pick a man like Joe Johnston. Joe shows he understands old-fashioned values, how to be corny-but-cool, and how to create that "I love America" with just the right combination of hip and sappiness.

As the director of The Rocketeer and October Sky he has shown that he UNDERSTANDS. He knows that sense of wonder and that American "can-do" spirit.

He is one of the few guys who started out as an effects artist and went on to become a really effective director.

Well, according to Hollywood Reporter, he has been selected as the director for Captain America: the First Avenger.

Joe Johnston has inked a deal to direct "First Avenger: Captain America," Marvel Studios' take on its classic comic book character. Marvel's Kevin Feige is producing.

No writers are on board, but the studio, which is hearing pitches, expects to hire shortly.

Johnston first met with Marvel two years ago. When the two parties clicked, general talks turned into Captain America-specific meetings, with much of the project's current direction resulting from those early conversations.

"This is a guy who designed the vehicles for 'Star Wars,' who storyboarded the convoy action sequence for 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' " Feige said. "From 'Rocketeer' to 'October Sky' to 'The Wolfman,' you can look at pieces of his movies and see how they lead to this one."

The article discusses the ultimate plan a bit more:

Kicking off with "Iron Man," Marvel Studios' slate of movies --including "Thor" and the "Iron Man" sequel -- is building toward an "Avengers" movie set for release in 2011, in which the characters from the films team for one big adventure. "Captain America" is scheduled for release May 6, 2011.

"Captain America" will be a World War II-set movie, and the character will appear in the modern day-set "Avengers." Executive producing on "Captain" are Louis D'Esposito, Stan Lee and Marvel Studios' chairman David Maisel.

Color me excited. Color me red, white and blue.