Marketing the Captain America movie abroad

[incredibledave]

Hey guys

I know my threads never get replies but I thought I'd have a crack at starting a discussion on how the Captain America movie will be marketed abroad.

The Captain America movie (and the Thor) is an interesting thing to consider because of how much of Marvel is counting on it's success. If this movie doesn't do well then its going have a huge impact on the Avengers film, and if it bombs Marvel may abandon there plans for that film and that may be the end of shared comic book universes in cinema (whether this is a good or bad thing is up for discussion)

So, with that in mind, how does one go about selling Captain America to an international audience?
If I had to do it I would base my stuff off of Brubaker's work on Captain America in the Winter Soldier arc (partly because I think it really worked, partly because its basically the only thing I've read with Captain America in it). Captain America in Brubaker's Captain America seem like an almost broken, hardened war general who had seen on to many horrors of war and was on the edge of collapse. This would be easy enough to sell overseas (they're still making WW2 movies arnt they?).

The other side of the coin though is that 'eXtreme' enough for what people expect from a superhero film? When people think superhero films they think Batman, Superman, Iron Man. All guys who, despite internal conflict are fundamentally awesome guys who do awesome stuff, do it well and muck it look amazing. To summarize, how would you sell this 'broken down war vet' to kids?

Make him to simplistic he looks like a gung-ho american propaganda icon (which he is, when you get right down to it, but thats a story for another time) make him to conflicted and you can't really sell toys.

Thoughts?

[BreakABone]

I was curious about this, just because I think selling a superhero named Captain America outside of America will be tough. I mean even Superman had to drop his "truth, justice and the American way" speech at some point.

The dude is named Captain America, he dresses in red white and blue. So it will be a tough sell.

[Fox 6]

He is one of the most known super heroes tho. Comic fans will come in roves, lesser knowledgeable people might be hesitant.

[BreakABone]

Originally Posted by Fox 6

He is one of the most known super heroes tho. Comic fans will come in roves, lesser knowledgeable people might be hesitant.

I guess it would be hard for us to gauge, I could be mistaken, but I don't think he has the worldwide appeal that most other heroes offer.

Granted, the movie will do well here in the States and I'm sure Canada. But would people in Europe or Australia care as much?

[Dylflon]

Advertise the WWII sections of the film in Europe. The filmmakers would also do well by introducing a European character and casting a well known Euro actor (once again probably for the WWII section).

Other than that, it probably doesn't matter if Europe cares because they'll be rolling in cash from North American box office revenues.

I think we're in the last two years of people caring about super hero movies though.

[Default]

Thats a really good point, I never thought about the movie's international release.

Makes ya think. Especially if it's something being considered in the movies actual production - Captain America's origin is very obnoxious in itself, let alone the general concept as you mentioned. Wonder how toned down it'll be, if at all

[Typhoid]

I really don't think "Hollywood" cares how any movie does in places like Neice, Stockholm, Canterbury, Pakistan, Bhutan or Kiev.

The vast majority of the money comes from North America, that's really all they need to market for.

I just think if it catches on in other places it will be a happy accident.

[FuzzTop]

Typhoid is right, beyond U.S., Canada, and maybe Britain, how the movie fairs internationally isn't really of importance. Although his name is more American than any other superhero movie so far, its not like any of the characters have been un-american. From the middle class student in New York (Spiderman), to the Uber Wealthy in Los Angelas (Iron Man) or fictional big city (Batman), every one of those heroes are american and do their deeds in the American way (blowing stuff up) in America. To say that audiences abroad are going to baulk at the name "Captain America" seems somewhat unlikely.

[Vampyr]

Just rename the movie everywhere it is released, and dub over "America".

"Captain Vietnam"

[Angrist]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

Just rename the movie everywhere it is released, and dub over "America".

"Captain Vietnam"

Nice.
Only not all countries are that patriotic. 'Captain Holland' could only be a comedy here. Translate it to Dutch, 'Kapitein Nederland' and it can only be a kids comedy.

[Fox 6]

Originally Posted by Vampyr

Just rename the movie everywhere it is released, and dub over "America".

"Captain Vietnam"

Good idea, You can also make the actor wear a big green suit, and just put the flag of each country on him.