Chris Evans Will Play Captain America

Chris Evans will play Captain America for Marvel Entertainment. Evans accepted an offer made by the comicbook publisher late last week, beating out a number of actors who test-screened for the high-profile role. The deal calls for the actor to star in at least three “Captain America” movies, starting with “The First Avenger: Captain America,” which Marvel is set to invade theaters with on July 22, 2011. Paramount will distribute.

He also would reprise the role in “The Avengers,” which will unite Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the Incredible Hulk (Edward Norton) in one film. That film is scheduled for May 4, 2012. The character also will likely make cameo appearances in Marvel’s other movies to tie together the world Marvel has been creating starting with the first “Iron Man.”

Joe Johnston(The Wolfman) will direct “Captain America” from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely (The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the witch and the Wardrobe).

Hugo Weaving will play the villain, Red Skull.

Marvel declined to confirm the agreement, although sources close to the company said the deal points were being worked out.