Lines Are Drawn In Captain America: Civil War

In 2006, Marvel introduced a concept into the comic world that I had not seen before-the Superhero Registration Act. Yes, I am aware that there are previous examples of such decrees in the industry, but at the time, my mind was blown. Just out of high school, I was discovering a whole new world of graphic novels thanks to the movie industry and my interest in comics began to resurface. After the dismal run of comics in the mid 90s, my exposure to the industry was virtually nonexistent. So when writer, Mark Millar, divided the Marvel community after killing a bunch of school children, I realized that comics were not in the same place as in my youth. Just as the readers had grown, so too had the heroes and the dilemmas they faced. As I bought my first individual issue in years, I buckled up and chose sides [I sided with Captain America] and was along for the ride.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has taken inspiration from this popular story line for its next movie, Captain America: Civil War. Instead of registering all superheroes as the comic did before it, the US Government is looking to regulate the Avengers actions to avoid international disasters and collateral casualties such as the incident in Sokovia involving Ultron. With everyone after the Winter Soldier, Captain America’s WWII buddy Bucky Barnes, Cap takes his stance doing everything within his power to help his friend. Iron Man, aka Tony Stark, sits on the other side of the fence, agreeing with the Government’s measures to guide the Avengers. As the two heroes drew a line in the sand, other members of the Avengers chose which side they would stand on. Thus a “Civil War” is born.

USA Today recently got to ask the cast of the new movie why each of their characters have fallen on whose side. Let’s start with Team Cap:

• First on the list is Anthony Mackie’s Falcon. Introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Falcon has been a strong supporter of Steve Rogers. In the comics the two have shared a series together and Falcon was even given the role of Captain America after Rogers became unable to wield the shield himself. “He [Falcon] respects and admires Cap because Cap earned his rank as opposed to sitting in an office and just delegating orders,” says Anthony Mackie.
• Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner, has also joined Roger’s cause however his motivations are far less political. After revealing a hidden family in Age of Ultron, Hawkeye is clearly eyeing retirement. However, when a friend is in need he will help when he can. “Cap was the first guy who called. Let’s just get the job done so I can get home to the family.”
• Actress Elizabeth Olsen, portrays one of the new recruits, the Scarlet Witch. Starting as a misguided villain in Age of Ultron, she now stands as one of the New Avengers. With no clears ties to either side, Olsen states that her character is “figuring out her place and finding a family,” because of that “she does have a few changes of points of view in this film.” Could this mean that she will switch sides, much like Spider-man in the comics, at some point in the film?
• After watching all the trailers, fans know that Bucky Barnes will play a critical role in the film. Although unclear what that role will be specifically, we do know that Captain is trying to save Barnes from the various agencies looking to put him down. “Cap is his only shot at survival,” says Sebastian Stan, the actor portraying Barnes. “It’s not like everyone’s high-fiving before going to war. There are still tensions.” Although Cap is ready to trust Barnes, it sounds as though the Avengers are skeptical.
• As for Captain America himself, Chris Evans says this about his characters motivations, “Nobody’s wrong here. No one’s promoting evil. No one’s the bad guy. We just have different ways of being the good guy and that can get fiery.” It should be noted Evans is referring to Cap’s struggle with Iron Man and those supporting the Sokovia Accords. Crossbones and Baron Zemo are still very much the bad guys of the film although it is still unclear what their roles will be.

Also on hand to express their valid opinions on why Stark’s was the right team to be on, was Team Iron:

• War Machine, played by Don Cheadle, is to Iron Man what Falcon is to Captain America. It stands to reason then that War Machine would join his best buddy side. “Obviously, I can’t do anything that violates my oath, but at the same time we’re dealing with things that haven’t ever been in the playbook.” Oh, did I forget to mention War Machine also works for the Government? His own personal tie might explain why he is shown in Stark’s arms in dire condition in the trailer.
• Paul Bettany, previously the voice of JARVIS and now another New Avenger, the Vision is, much like the Scarlet Witch, still figuring out his own place in the world. Yet being an android allows for some logical thinking. “The stronger you are, the more you invite challenge,” says Bettany. “Something has to rise to fill the vacuum.”
• A veteran of the Cold War era, Black Widow’s decision to join Stark was a deliberately unemotional one. “Either we’re going to fight it and lose or we’re going to go with it and make it work,” actress Scarlett Johansson says of her character. “Regimes come and go but we have to pat the backs this time and shake hands and play nice.”
• Chadwick Boseman will be introduced as the newest hero to the MCU, the Black Panther, in Captain America: Civil War. Being the head of the isolationist nation of Wakanda, the Black Panther’s decision is politically motivated. He may have sided with Tony Stark, but he has his own reasons for doing so. “He’s definitely his own guy. There’s no ‘I’m going to do whatever you say because you’re the leader of this team.’ That’s not who he is. But I would say that’s also true of other characters.”
• Finally, Robert Downey Jr. (IronMan) states, “Regardless of whose argument is what, communication is about really being able to fully see the other person’s point of view. I fully see Cap’s point of view — I don’t know if Tony does.”

Marvel’s Civil War story was an important story to tell in that it greatly humanized the heroes themselves. The comic explored how challenging and even emotionally scarring such decisions would have on these various larger than life characters. The lengths and depths that several characters went to win the war forced them to reexamine who they were and why they were fighting. Even Captain America lost sight of his cause in the end. With all of the opinions as to who is right and who is wrong, Captain America: Civil War looks to explore the theme of the comic, yet tell a different story. After the quality of the Winter Soldier, I believe in directors, Anthony and Joe Russo’s ability to make another outstanding film. Come opening night on May 6th, I hope to be cheering for #TeamRusso by the end of the movie!

Where do you stand in the Civil War, Team Cap or Team Iron?