(Update: 6/29 1 p.m. PST: Marvel just confirmed that Dominic Cooper will play a young Howard Stark (aka Tony Stark's father, as portrayed by John Slattery in "Iron Man 2") in "Captain America." Honestly, I don't get the point of sending out press releases for "news" that was widely reported a month ago, but what do I know?)
Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones will play U.S. Army Colonel Chester Phillips in Marvel's "Captain America: The First Avenger," the studio has (finally) confirmed.
In the early comics, Col. Phillips recruited Steve Rogers to join Project Rebirth, the secret experiment that created the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
The character will be "updated" (sounds ominous) for the superhero movie.
Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Toby Jones, Dominic Cooper and Stanley Tucci star in the highly anticipated comic-book adaptation.
Jones is a very particular actor ("Man of the House" excepted) who doesn't work nearly often enough, so it's nice to see him lending his veteran presence to a movie that will surely benefit from his considerable talent.
Joe Johnston ("The Wolfman") directs "Captain America" from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely ("The Chronicles of Narnia").
Marvel's Kevin Feige will produce, while Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, Nigel Gostelow and Louis D'Esposito will exec produce.
Jones previously played a military Colonel in William Friedkin's "Rules of Engagement." He next stars in John Wells' Sundance drama "The Company Men" and is also set to reprise his role as Agent Kay in Sony's upcoming "Men in Black III."
Paramount will release "Captain America" on July 22, 2011.
Jones is represented by CAA.
