Remember how I said Captain America was having trouble finding a lead because they’re set on casting an American?  Well, they don’t have to worry about that when casting the villain, and surprise, it’s almost a done deal.

Marvel Studios has zeroed in on Hugo Weaving to play the villainous Red Skull in “Captain America.”  In the Marvel comics, Red Skull has been Captain America’s archenemy since 1941, when he engaged in espionage and sabotage as Hitler’s right-hand man. In his final battle with the superhero, he was buried under the rubble of a bombed building but — as would occur later with Captain America — fell into a state of suspended animation. Both were revived in modern times. [THR]

I don’t believe that last part about the modern era applies here, because from what I understand, it’s still supposed to be a period piece.  Anyway, Red Skull is a bad guy built from the same powers as Captain America, but sort of grotesque because the process was corrupted on account of him being evil.  So basically, EVERY COMIC-BOOK MOVIE VILLAIN EVER. Not to mention The Mask.

(The cold-activated bottle means it’s ready to fire!)

After the jump, you can watch the second trailer for Wolfman, starring Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, and Hugo Weaving; directed by Joe Johnston, who replaced Mark Romanek early in production.  Johnston (Hidalgo, Jumanji, The Rocketeer, Jurassic Park III) is known as a guy who’s strong on visual effects and maybe not so strong on story.  The trailer seems to take the same approach, and looks pretty badass, even if Benicio Del Toro looks less wolf-like in his Wolfman makeup than he does in regular life.

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In their ongoing quest to market a promising film badly, Universal decided to release the new trailer for The Wolf Man exactly one hour after the Avatar trailer was scheduled to be released.  The trailer is below (HQ copy here), and a whole slew of new images are available at LatinoReview.

The Wolf Man stars Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, and Hugo Weaving, the triumvirate known in some circles (read: nowhere) as Scowly, Scary, and Forehead.  The first director (Mark Romanek) dropped out and was replaced by Joe Johnston (Hidalgo, Jumanji), known in most circles as “Who?”.

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Ever wanted to see Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, and Hugo Weaving work with the director of Hidalgo and Jumanji?  Yeah, me neither, but fuck you, here’s some Wolf Man footage from Comic Con (opening April 2009).

I don’t get what’s up with his claws.  Wolves don’t have claws. Wolves have paws with little fingernails that at worst might scratch up your hardwood.  This looks more like a bear man than a wolf man. I saw a movie about a bear man once.  It had this really hairy gay guy doing unspeakable things to the well-hung high school quarterback.  But I have to admit, it was terrifying.

South African/English/Australian actor Hugo Weaving (who should probably be getting royalties from Daniel Day-Lewis, who lifted Mr. Smith’s accent in There Will be Blood) has become the first new member of the Wolf Man cast since director Mark Romanek was replaced by Joe Johnston, a man responsible for Hidalgo and Jurassic Park III.

Weaving, best known for his appearances in "The Matrix" movies, will play Det. Aberline. Del Toro will play the hirsute title character and Anthony Hopkins his dad. [Emily] Blunt has been cast as the female lead in the project. [Variety]

Del Toro and Hopkins are usually really picky about their projects, so I’m a little curious as to what they think about getting stuck with this director.  Trying to picture them working with this guy is kind of like trying to imagine Marlon Brando doing a Mentos commercial.  Though Brando reportedly loved Mentos and ate them by the fist full.