Robert Redford in Captain America: The Winter Soldier? Let that sink in a little bit, because that is what Deadline reported today.

One thing that Marvel movies have done is bring in some very unique choices for their movies. They hired amazing off-the-wall directors like Kenneth Branagh (Thor) and Shane Black (Iron Man 3) and then they cast some fantastic people like Robert Downey Jr. to completely own the roles.

With names like Anthony Hopkins, Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones cast in their films, no name should come as a surprise. However, when the news broke that Robert Redford was in talks for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, I was floored.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier follows the events of The Avengers and Marvel labels it an espionage film. The title itself comes from the comic book story line where it turns out Bucky Barnes never died in World War II and was frozen, much like Captain America, before being revived – with amnesia – and transformed into an assassin by the Soviets.

Robert Redford has become the king of independent cinema over the last two decades, building Sundance into a prominent showcase and helping – temporarily – revive United Artists, a tool for actors and directors to control their own projects without major studio interference. Now, he plans to join the biggest studio franchise today.

Over the last decade, Robert Redford has not been a prolific actor at all. Since 2007, Redford has only acted in two movies, both of which he directed. There is no word yet on who he will play in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, although his role is described as a senior leader in S.H.I.E.L.D.

Could Redford be playing the original Nick Fury? It might be more realistic that he is playing one of Cap’s WWII chums who actually aged in real time, maybe Dum Dum Dugan. Chime in with your thoughts below.

Source: Deadline