"‘Captain America’ Title Changed Overseas..." Topic

‘Captain America' Gets Title Change in Three Foreign Countries: link

Captain America may be the United States' greatest fictional champion, but his movie is about to lose its stars and stripes overseas.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios gave foreign countries the option of changing the title of Cap's July 22 film debut from "Captain America: The First Avenger" to, simply, "The First Avenger."

It's not uncommon for movie studios to change America-centric titles for international release. In the case of "Captain America," which follows a red, white and blue super-soldier as he pummels his way through Hitler's army during World War II, a name change makes sense in countries that don't appreciate American patriotism. However, Paramount and Marvel believe that the Captain America name is so recognizable, even overseas, that removing the moniker might damage the box office gross.

In the interest of sensitivity, foreign markets were given the option of removing "Captain America" from the movie's title. Curiously enough, only three countries accepted: Russia, Ukraine and South Korea. Studio reps declined to explain the situation to THR, but a source told the New York Times that anti-American sentiment, particularly in South Korea, led to the decision. Unfamiliarity with the Captain America name and character was also cited.

Officials in China have yet to decide whether they will release "Captain America" in their country, but we can speculate the title will be altered there as well. As was reported during the "Red Dawn" remake debacle, China only releases about 20 non-Chinese films a year.

Hollywood has a history of altering movie titles or removing pro-States references in foreign markets. As the Times points out, in the 2006 film "Superman Returns," Warner Bros. changed Superman's iconic motto from "truth, justice and the American way" to "truth, justice and all that stuff."

And while Captain America escaped a title-ectomy in a majority of foreign markets, his marketing campaign is a little less red, white and blue. A new trailer in Australia (of all places) replaced the phrase "heroes are made in America" with "when evil rises, a hero will stand."

To quote our Lounge philosopher 'Meh', or words to that effect.

Makes sense for most movies; but if they don't want a feast of American patriotism, how can they get around the core of the film? Perhaps the dialogue is heavily edited as well as translated? His red, white, and blue outfit will be hard to miss.

Mind you, red White and blue… Could be a Brit, or French…

Or…

True that, but you know what I mean.

Studios will package movies according to each market; if they change a title because they think it will sell better overseas, I have no problem with that.

It happens going the other way, too: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone became Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone once it hit U.S. shores.

Same thing with television programs, too. Back in the '70s, during the latter half of American television's "Golden Age", many foreign show concepts, most of which came from England, were altered and tailored to our mores and customs of the day. Britain's 'Till Death Do Us Part' became our 'All in the Family', while their 'Man About the House' became America's 'Three's Company'.

So long as WE don't "neuter" ourselves here, then it is what it is.

He is no Captain Britain :

link

And check that strap line "The greatest superhero of all".

Well, who could have doubted it ?

in Australia, of all places….

hmm, right

Yep. Why not "Captain UN"? :)

Dan

Why not "Captain UN"?

Wrong color blue.

I don't see why it's important that some countries chose to change the name of the movie. We do it all the time. They do it to the movies from other countries than ours.

Besides, it's just a comic book movie anyway.

Better than remaking the entire movie because the audience can't be arsed to read subtitles.

Not that I'm complaining, I sat next to Daniel Craig on a flight from Stockholm to London while he was filming the remake of Dragon Tattoo and I have the autograph to prove it.

He is no Captain Britain :

True. Cap's origin story is not nearly so lame.

Basically Hollywood neuters comic book superheros to make them palpable to everyone then wonders why they fail to reach their target audience.

Yes, far too USA-centric. I think it should be renamed in every market. I'm sure there is a huge market for Captain Belgium.

Now if they made "Captain America" with this kind of theme, it would be more interesting:

link

Allen

Attempting to escape, Braddock ran his motorcycle off a cliff and lay near death.

Yikes!

The Iranian theatrical release is believed to be titled 'Captain Down With The Great Satan.'

dont look at me I am still mad they changed nick fury so sam jackson could play him… and I like samuel jackson.