Speaking to the British press at the BAFTA television awards, English actress Hayley Atwell confirmed the previously rumored talk that Tommy Lee Jones would be joining the cast of “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
While she didn’t reveal much other than her preparation for the supposedly grueling physical shoot — we still don’t know what Jones’ role is exactly — she inadvertently did confirm his participation in the picture which shoots this July in Europe.
“I have yet to meet Tommy Lee Jones,” Atwell says, when discussing the cast. “Although I think I have a scene with him, which I’m really looking forward to doing. And Samuel L. Jackson, who, I’m sure, he’s got better things to do than come and meet me for five minutes, but I’m sure I’ll get a chance to later.”
Whatever the role is, it does appear Jones has been able to clear out some space in his schedule before tackling the extensive paycheck that is “Men In Black III,” though we’re mostly hopeful he’d get back in the director’s chair at some point.
We still don’t know who he’d be playing, but if we may put our nerd hat on, we’d say he’s probably playing one of the military superiors who brings young wannabe soldier Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) into the fold. Continuity hawks would probably demand it would be General Chester Phillips, though in the movie they probably won’t go enough into the paper-thin mythology of the character to justify naming him anything more than General Old Man Exposition.
Atwell’s quote gives us further insight into the arrangement of characters and storylines as well. Atwell mentions she’s been training six days a week, which would mean her character Peggy Carter, a member of the French Resistance, is a very active participant in the action scenes. She only shares one scene with Jones, however, meaning that his role, as expected, is fairly minimal.
“Captain America: The First Avenger” opens July 22nd, 2011.