Toby Jones, the British born actor, is said to be in final negotiations to appear in Joe Johnston’s upcoming Captain America film. The “Infamous” actor, according to The Hollywood Reporter’s Heat Vision Blog, is down to play evil genius and all-around bad guy Arnim Zola.
Zola, in comic book lore, is a scientist who works for Hitler creating clones and other mutated monstrosities. He is even able to transfer someone’s consciousness out of their body — a process he performs on himself, transferring his mind into a robot enabling him to survive after World War II into our modern day.
Straight off the bat, it’s a great choice. Jones is a strong actor, and he’ll need to be to share the screen with Hugo Weaving’s Red Skull. Some websites are expressing concern that the film may be falling prey to the common “too many villains” syndrome that dogs so many films these days. I beg to differ. Zola may end up being a supporting character to Red Skull, not necessarily his equal. The fact that he can transfer his consciousness into other things means he has the chance of actually making it into the planned “Avengers” flick to trouble Captain America (Chris Evans) again — although I’m sure Joe Johnston or Joss Whedon will make his appearance a little bit more plausible and less campy than having his mind being put into a robot. But that’s just me.
It may end up being a role similar to that of Tim Blake Nelson’s Samuel Sterns in the 2008 film, “The Incredible Hulk.” Comic book buffs knew Samuel Sterns eventually becomes supervillain The Leader, and it’s hinted at in Sterns’ final scene in the film that that is where they wanted to take the character. Sadly, in that franchise (as of yet) we haven’t got to see what happens next, but you get the idea with Arnim Zola.
So what do the intrepid readers at IJM think of this casting choice? How do you see the character being used in the film? What aspects of the comicbook Zola do you want to see used or discarded for the film? Sound off in the comments box or head to our forum to discuss it further …
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pretty cool news, i didnt expect to see this character. Cant wait to see how they use him.
A terrific choice!