CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR - COMIC VS MOVIE

Next year is certainly going to be an exciting and potentially game changing year for comic book movies. We're going to see two films where the heroes are fighting each other, an X-film that looks like a Roland Emmerich disaster film (one of the good ones), a film that focuses almost exclusively on the bad guys, and Deadpool. So what makes Captain America: Civil War stand out? It's the only one that's based off an actual comic book to compare it to. While the others are inspired by the source material, Civil War will actually have the same plot and possibly the same outcome as the comic by the same name.

I've watched the trailer several times and I gotta say - it looks better than I expected. From the same directing team behind Captain America: Winter Soldier to Robert Downey, Jr making an appearance as Iron Man to a great follow up to the unresolved Bucky story this film looks to be a worthy addition to the Marvel slate of films. Granted I'm a sucker for a good trailer but Marvel usually delivers on the goods.

Usually . . . 

I'd like to share with you my thoughts on how I think the movie Civil War will differ from the comic book. Please keep in mind that this is all speculation based on the trailer, interviews, and the comic book itself. It's not based on any insider knowledge. Because I'm not that lucky . . . Anyway! Here we go!

 

REDUCED ROLE FOR SPIDER-MAN

 

This is just logical. In the comic book, Spider-Man unmasked himself in a press conference to show his support for Tony Stark's pro-registration side of the conflict. Later on, during one of the battles, Peter sees just how ruthless that Tony is and switches to Captain America's side. In a way, Spidey represented the audience's point of view on the conflict. At first, it seems logical that one would side with Iron Man - superheroes should be held accountable for their actions. Then, as Captain America feared, that side grew too violent and uncompromising, so it makes sense to join with Captain America and his "freedom fighters." However, it doesn't make much sense for Spider-Man to go through this type of arc within this one film. For starters, the MCU will be introducing a brand new Spider-Man instead of keeping the Andrew Garfield timeline. In my honest opinion, that's stupid. Garfield was perfect as Spidey and deserves the chance to work side by side with Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans. BUT it's done and Tom Holland has been cast as the newest Peter Parker. I have nothing against the young Mr. Holland, but that's just my take on the matter. However, with such a reduced role for Spider-Man it looks like the spotlight instead will go to . . .

 



EXPANDED ROLE FOR BUCKY/THE WINTER SOLDIER

 

When the cast list and title of the film was first announced I was skeptical. Bucky's story was left wide open at the end of Winter Soldier and not following up on that would be a huge mistake. The first trailer was able to put my fears to rest. It looks like after the events of Winter Soldier and Age of Ultron that the Avengers could have a very natural, believable split. First there's the matter of Stark creating Ultron and being responsible for the destruction of Sokovia. Then there's this unmasked assassin that was the cause of several deaths and led to the destruction of S.H.I.E.L.D.  I'm glad that Bucky will have a prominent role in the film. In the actual Civil War comic book, Bucky is not seen, instead he is working his own agenda during the Captain America tie in issues. It's comforting to know that not only is Bucky front and center in the Civil War conflict but he's no longer the villain. His story is now his own to choose and opens him up to great new story possibilities in the MCU. This is assuming of course that he makes it out of the movie alive.

 



THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA? MMM . . . PROBABLY NOT . . .

 

The odds of Kevin Fiege and the Russo brothers killing off one of their stars during this film are slim to none. The comic book ended with Captain America surrendering to the authorities and willing to take the fall for his half of the Avengers. However, shortly after this, he was murdered by the Red Skull and a brainwashed Sharon Carter. Chris Evans is still contracted for at least one more Avengers film so it's unlikely that he'll be killed off in Civil War. It's much more likely that he'll be killed off in Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 but that's a story for another day. Now it is likely that the film might end with Cap being arrested but not guaranteed. Feige has said time and again that he doesn't want the Marvel movies to get too dark. With that in mind it's just as likely that Stark and Cap will kiss and make up before the end of the film. I mean not literally . . . But maybe! I don't know . . . Either way, I'd bet that Captain America will not die in this film.

 

NO FANTASTIC FOUR

 

This is obvious given the rights to the Four still belonging to 20th Century Fox. Which is a shame because the Fantastic Four went through a great arc during Civil War. Granted, it would not be plausible to see this particular arc in the film given where the Four were at the end of their film plus the rights issue. However, it's still a shame to miss out on this. In the comic, Reed sided with Stark and even helped him create the Thor clone (more on that later). Sue, Ben and Johnny refused to fight their fellow heroes. Sue defected to Captain America's side, Ben moved to France hoping to get away from the conflict, and Johnny was in a coma due to angry bystanders blaming him for being a hero and not being held accountable for his actions. All four went through very believable and compelling arcs during the comic book. It looks like in the film we will see their stories played out by the other Avengers. Black Widow and Hawkeye will be at each other's throats on opposing sides. And the Vision . . . is not in the trailer. Maybe he moves to France? Or joins Thor on Asgard? Only time (or the next trailer or two) will tell!

 

 

WHERE ARE THE DEFENDERS?

 

As a comic book fan, it's really exciting to see characters like Luke Cage, Daredevil, and Jessica Jones get their chance to shine. It's also extremely frustrating that it's that much more difficult for these characters to appear in the MCU films or even Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Given the actors' schedules, screen writing, filming, and obvious character overload, it's difficult for the Netflix heroes to appear in the Marvel films. In the comic, it's really easy for the artist to just draw as many characters as they want in a splash page battle scene. The tie in comics like Captain America, New Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, etc can flesh out their stories. It's not so easy in a two hour (somewhat) self-contained film. Granted they all exist in the same universe and often reference each other, but still . . . it's a huge let down that Cage, Murdock and Jones won't play any role in Civil War. Even more upsetting is that they probably won't be in Infinity War either. From a business and story telling point of view I totally understand. From a comic book fan's perspective, I'm annoyed as hell. But if I have to sacrifice their appearances in Civil War for quality TV shows on Netflix I'm ok with that.

 





THE PRICE HE'S WILLING TO PAY

 

Winter Soldier ended with Captain America being disillusioned with the "security" that the government was trying to give America. It makes sense that he was willing to side with the Avengers and be agents of Freedom and Justice. Cap even says, "The price of freedom is high, but it's a price I'm willing to pay." He believes what our forefathers believed in. We should be free to govern ourselves and not have our beliefs, ideals, or values imposed upon us. Cap fought against Hydra for this very reason and is willing to stand against Stark and the Sokovia Accords for the same reason. This is keeping with the comic book but is slightly different. In the comic book, when the Superhuman Registration Act is announced, Cap is hesitant due to the fact that he doesn't like the idea of the government knowing all the Avengers' secrets. He thinks that if the government controls the Avengers then they'll be able to say who the bad guys are and the Avengers will have to follow orders without question. That doesn't sit right with Cap and he flees. I think the film will be similar except that Bucky will be used as a prime example of unchecked power in the wake of Hydra's destruction. I think the film will show Cap trying to prove Bucky's innocence and show the world that Bucky is a hero and not a dangerous villain.

 

RAGNAROK

 

One of the most compelling and game changing moments of the comic book was when Thor showed up and was on Iron Man's team. Turns out, it wasn't the real Thor (who was dead at the time - he got better) but a clone created by Tony Stark and Reed Richards. The Thor clone, later named Ragnarok, murdered the hero Goliath during one of the fights. It was then that Spider-Man defected to Captain America's team and Sue left the Fantastic Four. There are a couple reasons why I don't think we'll be seeing this character in the film. First, it would look kind of ridiculous for Chris Hemsworth to show up as a robot clone and murder an Avenger. Second, the character wouldn't fit in the story. There are rumors of General Ross becoming the Red Hulk and taking Ragnarok's spot in the story, but in my mind the character is unnecessary in the film. The point of the character was to show just how far Tony was willing to go to win the war and how much it cost him. Given that it's a Captain America film first and foremost, giving Stark this subplot would definitely make him the villain and irredeemable in the audience's mind. The point of the film is to make Cap and Stark on the good side but on opposing sides of what they think is right as opposed to Stark or Cap the outright villain. But that's not the case here . . .

ACTUAL VILLAINS 

 Unlike the comic where there was no clear cut good guy or bad guy, in this case there will be actual villains for the heroes to face off with at some point. Confirmed for this film are the return of Crossbones and the introduction of Baron Zemo (a personal favorite Cap villain to me). These guys are gonna be the one pulling the strings and screwing with the heroes to get them to fight and possibly kill each other. This way we get to have Stark and Cap as opposing sides but it doesn't automatically make Iron Man the villain. Cuz let's face it, without Baron Zemo and Crossbones, Stark would be the bad guy. I mean the film is called Captain America: Civil War and not Marvel's Civil War for a reason!

 

Full disclosure - I'm team Captain America all the way. I loved the comic and I'm excited to see what happens in the film. I know the film won't follow the comic beat for beat but I am excited to see a bad ass Captain America vs Iron Man fight. Winter Soldier was my favorite non-Avengers MCU film. I think this film will be a worthy follow up and set up a new stage for the Marvel movies.

 

 

 

Till Next Time!

 

 

JJ - the Comic Junkie