Derek Luke, Kenneth Choi & Sebastian Stan Interview For ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’

‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ focuses on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America. 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-Solider 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 battle savvy, Captain America has continued his war against evil both as a sentinel of liberty and as leader of the Avengers.

In the film Derek Luke stars as Gabe Jones, while Kenneth Choi as Jim Morita, members of Rogers’ squad of commandos. Sebastian Stan stars as Bucky Barnes, Steve Rogers sidekick. The Marvel Comics adaptation comes to cinemas July 22nd, 2011 in the US, and July 29th 2011 in the UK. ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ also stars Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, Neal McDonough, Dominic Cooper, and Toby Jones.

Did you watch any wartime propaganda type movies to prepare for this role and the period it’s set in?

Sebastian Stan: Yeah, absolutely. I always thought that was one of the most exciting things about it. Having the luxury of having at least a month and a half before shooting just to be able to go and research and find things. Thank God for YouTube and such amazing movies out there. Movies like The Thin Red Line, Saving Private Ryan, The Longest Day, and The Band of Brothers were very very helpful. I thought it would be more helpful for me to concentrate on the realities of war and why these guys were going to war and what they were doing. I was trusting that if I did that then the whole comic book world would exist on its own.

What was it like seeing Hugo Weaving as Red Skull?

Kenneth Choi: I think the reason why Red Skull is the uber-villain, he’s probably the most frightening Marvel villain, he’s got this blazing, BRIGHT red skull. The first time I was on set and saw Hugo he was coming out of his trailer, he had this black cloak over him, then when he looked up and I saw the prosthetics, which are amazing, it literally sent a chill up and down my spine. It looked so real and so scary. The thing with Hugo is when you meet him he’s the nicest, kindest, most soft spoken individual. That was actually more chilling (laughs). Because he extends his hand, so quiet, with this ominous looking red face. He done a fantastic job.

Derek, can you tell us a little bit about The Howling Commandoes?

Derek Luke: These guys develop an amazing bond, it’s almost like these are the men that Captain America selects to go and be a part of…I call it his posse, his crew (laughs). It’s pretty cool because it becomes a relationship about trust. First they’re trying to make him prove and see who he is, then once he does – it’s history, Marvel history! Putting on the uniform. I think that’s an actors dream. Comics have their own world, but in a way, just like with Firemen, we all want to be heroes.

Captain America is such an appealing character, across so many generations….

Kenneth Choi: Yeah. I think what’s kind of special about him is that he doesn’t really have any superhuman powers, he’s got this super strength but he can’t fly, bullets don’t bounce off him, he’s got that vulnerability about him. I just think the whole character of Steve Rogers, how he began, he had a lot of faults, a lot of physical weakness, then for him to transform into this superhero, I think that’s really appealing to people.

As the actor playing opposite Chris Evans as scrawny Steve Rogers, how was that experience for you?

Sebastian Stan: From the technology point of view it was a little bit tough because it limited you in terms of the interaction you have with the person. I had to be careful not to touch him a certain way because we have to match it over and over again. At first I would rehearse with Chris, once we established something we really liked then we would do it with his double and he would have to match everything. Sometimes that was a little bit challenging, but I think at the same time it was important. I definitely wanted to establish early on what the relationship between Bucky and Steve was with him being that scrawny guy keeping in mind how that dynamic might change once he’s suddenly a six foot three machine.