Mamma Mia! star Dominic Cooper will get to expand his acting chops as he has been confirmed to play a young Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger.
This news comes from the Marvel site itself after rumors circulated the Internet several months ago. Back in March, Chris Evans stepped into the leading role, while Hayley Atwell, Toby Jones, Hugo Weaving, Tommy Lee Jones, and Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci, among others, have also signed on to take part in the Joe Johnston-directed film.
At first, the casting for Cooper in this role is quite intriguing, as he is not an actor you would expect to see in a comic book film. Granted, with the exception of the leading role, that is the case with many of the actors in this film. Marvel has made a habit of casting acclaimed, award-winning actors in their films as opposed to more expected action stars. It worked with Iron Man and -- to some extent -- for The Incredible Hulk. It could also work here, especially with Cooper. He has a keen sensibility to convey what his character is feeling at the time in a subtle or lavish manner, depending on the character. He should work terrifically for the role as the younger version of the man who would help give birth to Robert Downey Jr.
Cooper is perhaps most famous for his role in the 2008 hit musical Mamma Mia! He received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination last year for being a part of An Education’s ensemble cast. Captain America: The First Avenger is currently set for release on July 22, 2011.
