Captain America, it's time to fall in love — British actress Hayley Atwell has been cast as leading lady Peggy Carter in "The First Avenger: Captain America."
Atwell will play the British love interest of Steve Rogers in director Joe Johnston's upcoming superhero film for Marvel Studios, Heat Vision reports. The actress was recently mentioned as a contender for the role in a report pegging Alice Eve as the frontrunner for Carter. Atwell allegedly won the part after screen testing in London last week.
Prior to Atwell's casting, actresses Emily Blunt, Keira Knightley and the aforementioned Eve were in the running for the role. Blunt reportedly declined an offer from Marvel Studios.
In the comic books, Peggy Carter is a French Resistance fighter that hooks up with Steve Rogers and his team of Invaders during World War II. Carter is the aunt of Sharon Carter, an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Rogers' modern love interest in the current Marvel Comics continuity.
As Peggy Carter, Atwell joins a growing cast list that includes Chris Evans as the titular star-spangled superhero, Sebastian Stan as his best friend and sidekick James "Bucky" Barnes, and Hugo Weaving as the villainous Red Skull. Weaving is still in negotiations for the role.
The cast for "Captain America" is certainly shaping up, that's for sure. Whether there will be any new major additions in the coming weeks remains to be seen.
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