- Chris Evans, Captain America: The First Avenger, 2010. The first screen version of the WWII propaganda comicbook hero – Defender of the Defenceless – since Republic’s 1944 serial (with Dick Purcell), two 1979 tele-quickies (Rep Brown) and the 1989 movie (Matt Salinger, son of the monumental JD, no less). A 1981 Universal plan fo r Jeff Bridges never flew. Nor did Cannon’s 1984 take which UK director Michael Winner never got around to casting (well, not out loud).Also missing the 2010 nine-picture deal for Cap Am sequels, Avengersmovies and cross-overs were… Crawford, Jensen Ackles, Wilson Bethel, Michael Cassidy, Dane Cook, Garrett Hedlund, Kellan Lutz, Ryan, McPartlin, Johnny Pacar, Ryan Phillippe, Scott Porter, Alexander Skarsgård, Will Smith, Sebastian Stan (chosen for Bucky Barnes), Channing Tatum (in last three), Mike Vogel, Sam Worthington. Plus two of the Jonas brothers band (Joe and Kevin), three of the TV-Marvelverse: Wilson Bethel (Daredevil), Chad Michael Murray (Agent Carter), Derek Theler (New Warriors). And John Krasinski. “This is stupid,” he yelled during his costumed test, “I’m not Captain America!” And he wasn’t. But he was Amazon’s TV’s surprise Jack Ryan in 2018.
- Kenny Wormald, Footloose, 2010. The unknown newcomer won the role of Ren McCormack after a worldwide search when Zac Efron and director Kenny Ortega quit the re-make of the 1984 movie. Crawford was then considered – and quit. Next, the Sarah Connor Chronicles star Thomas Dekker was given the role. But no, it finished a year later with the Bostonian from the MTV series Dancelife.
Birth year: Death year: Other name: Casting Calls: 2