<i>Captain America</i> Called <i>The First Avenger</i> In Some Overseas Markets

CBR

Captain America Called The First Avenger In Some Overseas Markets

By Kevin Melrose

Published Jan 24, 2011

As many long suspected, Captain America: The First Avenger will be distributed simply as The First Avenger in some overseas markets. Studio insiders say the decision is a matter of brand management and consumer awareness, and not a reaction to "cultural or political winds."

As many suspected when the movie's title was announced in 2008, Marvel and Paramount Pictures will market Captain America in some countries as The First Avenger.

Confirmation comes from Hero Complex, which cites studio insiders as saying the film will be distributed using the abbreviated title in Russia, South Korea and the Ukraine based on the results of market research. "Those involved in the decision are being careful to frame the move as a matter of brand management and consumer awareness and not as a decision tilted by cultural or political winds," Geoff Boucher writes.

As a perusal of IMDb.com demonstrates, it's not uncommon for movie titles to be changed for international markets. But the dropping of "Captain America" is likely to raise the hackles of those still smarting from "truth, justice, all that stuff" in 2006's Superman Returns.

Directed by Joe Johnston, Captain America: The First Avenger stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Toby Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Stanley Tucci, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough and Tommy Lee Jones. It opens on July 22. The first trailer will debut Feb. 6 during Fox's Super Bowl telecast.