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Discuss: Did That First Look at 'Red Skull' Live Up To Expectations?
by Alex Billington
February 7, 2011
Meet Johann Schmidt. You may know him better as Red Skull. He has been unmasked! In Marvel's debut of footage in the form of a 30-second Super Bowl TV spot for Captain America: The First Avenger, a quick flash in the trailer revealed our first look at actor Hugo Weaving as the Third Reich's Red Skull. As this is a big reveal (in addition to seeing Chris Evans kickin' ass as Cap) I thought I'd snap a shot and open up the floor to discussion on his look. Red Skull first appeared in Captain America Comics #7 1941, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Does he look as good as you expected? Warning: spoilers may follow!
Marvel's Captain America: The First Avenger is directed by Joe Johnston, who previously directed Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Rocketeer, Jumanji, October Sky, Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo and The Wolf Man. The screenplay was written by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (writers of Life & Death of Peter Sellers, You Kill Me and all three Chronicles of Narnia movies, from Lion, Witch, Wardrobe to Dawn Treader) and also Joss Whedon. Paramount is bringing Captain America to theaters starting on July 22nd this summer.
56 Comments
1
FIRST
Rmelendez on Feb 7, 2011
2
looks like THE MASK, went Red
Rmelendez on Feb 7, 2011
3
I thought that it looked awesome. I just glad that they didnt do it CGI. That would have been as bad as Ghost Rider!
Kgsupes7 on Feb 7, 2011
4
lol yeh that GL suit looks like crap
Capt. Americano on Feb 7, 2011
5
It looks over the top to me.
Moon on Feb 7, 2011
6
It's kind of supposed to be. The first 'true' Red Skull wore a mask of a...red skull. I dunno how they could make it any better.
Dan Arbiture on Feb 7, 2011
7
im glad somebody realizes that its not an actual red skull, it was a mask. What theyve done for this movie, basically looks perfect. Im happier with what theyve shown of the red skull than of the stuff of cap himself, to be honest
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
8
I'm confused. Why are you happy they switched the arrangement? He's supposed to be a man with a normal head wearing a red skull mask but this image clearly shows him as a guy with a red skull for a head and peeling off a mask that looks like a normal face.
Awtan90 on Feb 7, 2011
9
As silly as this is going to sound, he could be wearing two masks. I wish I could cite an issue, but I'm certain I've seen it happen in the comics. It would help to know the context of the picture too. They've done it both ways (mask and scarred head) in the comic so I'm good with either.
Dan Arbiture on Feb 8, 2011
10
dude it looks perect
Diggobick on Feb 8, 2011
11
could be worse
CLZ on Feb 7, 2011
12
I think it looks really good. Its going to be the best marvel movie so far!
Krankie on Feb 7, 2011
13
u no what i dont get about hollywood, why does EVERYONE constantly have to have glazing white teeth?! i mean this guy is the last person youd expect to be worrying about his teeth, he would deffs need to be brushing 3 times a day from childhood for that perfection, lets face it i think red skull has more on his mind. dunno why there to afraid to make a villian look a bit FUCKING villanious in hollywood, anyway, yeah looks alright, but the teeth thing is getting to me recently ...
Dave on Feb 7, 2011
14
oh man that was spot on the best comment yet, honestly i think 2 Face's makeup job is way better but what do i know.
ChrisC5g on Feb 7, 2011
15
Red Skull always had bright teeth in the comics. The first incarnation of the Red Skull was an American business man and nazi. Can't be a business man with ugly ass teeth. @ Alex: Also.. I do believe the introduction of Red Skull was in Captain America Comics #1 not #7.
Hamster on Feb 7, 2011
16
possibly but i dont think the fact that hes a buissness man affected their decision to give him glazing white teeth, i think there just arseholes! lol
Dave on Feb 7, 2011
17
You're both right. Alex has the edge though, because the first appearance of Johann Schmidt (true Red Skull) was Cap #7. The one that appeared in #1 was an agent of Johann.
Dan Arbiture on Feb 7, 2011
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That is bothersome, but the camera doesn't always capture those finite details. But to your point: To capture it they would need to exaggerate it, which they should have. Red Skull is not concerned with vanity I'm sure.
Modern American Man on Feb 7, 2011
20
um, contrast? and (in my opinion) it makes him look more "skeletal" rather than rotten zombie esque... and did you not see Iron Man 2? Whiplash looked like he'd been in a Siberian prison for the past 20yrs... and they had a shortage on tooth paste.
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
21
yeah, and it looked authentic, and he felt genuine? never looked like an actor from hollywood, thats my point, they shud be trying not to look like actors from hollywood, because you know they sort of are 'actors from hollywood' and there you know, sort of 'acting'?!?!?!
Dave on Feb 8, 2011
22
the joker in The Dark Knight did not have anything close to white teeth, just saying
dangelp on Feb 7, 2011
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ok i mean.. in general... i never said every single film of all time?!
Dave on Feb 8, 2011
24
Looks pretty good. I think they could have gone with less skin, but then again that would risk looking like Two-Face from TDK.
Craig on Feb 7, 2011
25
As already said, looks a lot like the Mask! As also already said, pearly white teeth do my tree in too! OK so I am a Brit and am used to less than perfect teeth..... but there is simply no way exposed teeth with no gums to cover them would look like a toothpaste ad! Then again......my skin crawls when people in movies snog on meeting after being lost in the desert/outback/jungle for weeks with no tushy brush or Colgate....yuck!
FOOM on Feb 7, 2011
26
I'll be honest, it looked better than I expected it to. Can't wait to see the movie!
Grichmer on Feb 7, 2011
27
Badass! Nergasm
Risk on Feb 7, 2011
28
I think the important thing about the design, which appears to be a combination of latex and CG elements, is that while it looks like the character, it keeps a good similarity to the actor Hugo Weaving. I'm hoping this ensures that he keeps his expressions and mannerisms in line with the performance. Seems to be the case so far... This movie just keeps looking better and better!
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
29
Ya. Reminds me of what they did with Voldemort in Harry Potter. CG'd out the nose.. but all the expressions can still come through. HP wasn't as heavy on prosthetics tho.
Hamster on Feb 7, 2011
30
Ssssssssssmokin!
Voice of Reason on Feb 7, 2011
31
Ooh, somebody stop him!
voodoo2 on Feb 8, 2011
32
something about the teeth doesnt seem right
Cornholen on Feb 7, 2011
33
I like it a lot its simple they did not try to go to crazy with it and as for the comments of it looking like the mask..... THEY ARE BOTH DONE FROM A BASE OF THE HUMAN SKULL HOLY CRAP ABOUT 90% OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME SKULL SHAPE!!! DUHHHHHHH IT IS GOING TO CARRY THE SAME SHAPE !!!! most people like to talk about how crappy they do things in cinema honestly if you can do a better job prove it if not shut it. or if you know you can do it better start working your way in the industry to change it or make it better. Overall im looking forward to this movie, as well as thor, i trust Evans and Hemsworth will do it justice. Lastly im glad they went with prosthetics on this one im getting tired of CG CG CG although the thin version of Rogers looks really good lol
Splinter on Feb 7, 2011
34
I agree with you on the skull matter, lol you're so right; but I really read that remark about 'you do it if you're so cool' many times and believe me, it's not worth the trouble. I'm looking forward to Cap too :), not that sure about Thor though, but I know it's too early to judge them... 😉
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
35
He looks awesome!!! However, I have a sneaking suspicion that this reveal won't happen until late in the film.
Sean Kelly on Feb 7, 2011
36
Looks good. I would prefer it to look more like flesh/muscle but that would be too violent, this way is fine
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
37
I do like it but I think the eyes should have been bigger. As if he didn't have any eye lids. You know, as it is with a skull in all.
Marc Walker on Feb 7, 2011
38
OMG its Skeletor from masters of the universe!
Guest12 on Feb 7, 2011
39
Could you get some more stills from the tv spot possibly?
AGallagher410 on Feb 7, 2011
40
I love how people are complaining that it doesnt look grotesque enough. do you guys not realize that the actual red skull from the comics was just wearing a mask?
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
41
I think it looks pretty badass.
Anonymous on Feb 7, 2011
42
Comic book movies do not follow comics 100%. Certain things have to be done differently because it is a movie and not a comic. It does matter if comic book Red Skull wore a mask or which guy was the first Red Skull. In the movie continuity, that is the Red Skull right there and he looks pretty damn good.
Captain Guest on Feb 7, 2011
43
I agree, I think it's dead on. If you aim to please everyone, you'll end up pleasing no one. This goes hand-in-hand with comic book movies. I think they are going to be some minor adjustments for the plot transcendence toward film to be exciting, surprising and thrilling. If you ask me, I think its dead on. Johnston seems to know what he's doing, and I'm pumped!
Snears on Feb 7, 2011
44
I think everyone would agree that looking at how bad these comic book movies can go, it's all looking pretty darn good. It's never going to be perfect but you gotta give them credit for going with the dirty and gritty look.
Buzzfunk on Feb 7, 2011
45
It looks great. It's a joy to see my favorite comic book characters come to life on the big screen.
grapefruit on Feb 7, 2011
46
not bad at all :}
Anonymous on Feb 8, 2011
47
i think he looks awesome 😀
A5J4DX on Feb 7, 2011
48
the look of the redSkull must be improved, now it is plastic shiny, it should be more of wornout, degraded, chemical etched, not so shiny head. suddenly it looked like a popstar with redface (just for fun)
range on Feb 8, 2011
49
I think it would be cooler if his eyes were full, as if he didn't have eyelids.. kind of like that one enemy in Hellboy 1.
shadoworen117 on Feb 8, 2011
51
This Red Skull looks cheap and plastic. It needs to look like real flesh. This is the age of CGI for crissakes. Dark Knight had Two-Face. And they want to go cheap and give us this cheap prosthetic plastic Halloween mask? I don't think so. I will not pay to see this. I will not take my family to see this.
Insider on Feb 8, 2011
52
It looks a little like Michael Jackson dipped in food dye but a little sexier.
Crapola on Feb 8, 2011
54
Looks great! Maybe add a litle darkness to the eyes but frickin awesome. I'm sure Hugo will kick @$$.
!5AAK on Feb 8, 2011
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I know next to nothing about this film, but if this character is Hugo Weaving it will kick ass.
Ebay Busybee on Feb 10, 2011
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I am in shock as to the content of the comments. How easily lead you all are. Is this the best that your generation has to offer? The red skull mask was the best that it could be, convincing. However, even more important, the Red Skull and his purposefully applied philosophy was perfect in it portrayal. Tyrants start out having to convince others to follow, and seem quite reasonable at first. They make all the right "friends" at first. It is very easy to choose their leadership, or to choose the wrong person for the right or wrong reasons. Then, over a period of events, steps, and actions they rot the entire buschel of apples. By the time their followers might swallow their pride to say they made a mistake, everyone is kept in line through fear, anger, fanaticism, money, or their own place in the pyramid power structure. My grandpa, flawed to a lesser degree than I am in a different things, said, "The Germans in WWII, they knew better." It was a sociological, cultural, and religous statement for him. He was Pennsylvania Duetch. He was a Captain in the Army. The logical transition of German National Socialists into the followers of the "Red" skull who is very international socialist fits. The name "Hydra" fits. In many ways it represents any goverment that goes that route. Even the elietism moments leading up to telling the doctor not to scratch his car fit. The Red Skull is Obama and/or Polosi, Reed, Soros, Wen Jiabao, Putin, the CEO of B&S, the CEO of MS, Fanny & Freddy (building large numbers slave constituancies), etc. It is not just the war in Lybia, Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, etc. but all of those places where the Obama has decided to switch sides and support Al Qaeda. It is also in America where Obama is trying to bankrupt our country while building huge federal frame work run by "CZARS" who were former terrorists. They bombed Americans, robbed banks, did not pay taxes, worked with the mafia, and forced a political curricullum on schools that brainwashes kids rather than teaches them to think crittically. I have an idea. Let's go back a little further. Maybe we should ask Vince Foster, the US servicemen who supposedly killed themselves rather than invade Hati, the Greeks on Cyprus, Christian Kosavars, people who died when FEMA supposedly helped New Orleans by trying to shut down rebuilding efforts requiring detention in the stadium, etc. if The Red Skull mask was convincing. Look at Obama and Polosi, they do have The Red Skull thing. The movie was an excellent example showing what it means to be truly American and truly unAmerican. How few of you can tell the difference, because you do not know the difference. Now, go back to your discussion of superfluous aesthetics if you want. -HDcandela
HDCandela on Jul 31, 2011
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