CAPTAIN AMERICA Movie Takes Place Primarily During the Battle of Britain

While out promoting the Blu-Ray and DVD release of Iron Man 2, actor Clark Gregg shared some bits of info on future Marvel projects, including an integral part of the Captain America movie plot.

Gregg's character, Agent Phil Coulson, started out as a small cameo for the first Iron Man film and grew increasingly important over time. Coulson, along with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), has become one of the devices linking all the Marvel movies together through their connection with the clandestine government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. Regarding Iron Man 2, Gregg learned he would be reprising role only a few months before the cast and crew began shooting. During production of the Iron sequel, he was surprised to learn he also had an integral part in Thor, which hits theaters next summer. It was only at this year's San Diego Comic-Con that he found out he was officially added to The Avengers roster.

While promoting the official release of Iron Man 2 on DVD & Blu-ray, Gregg spoke with Crave Online and revealed an important tidbit regarding the plot of Captain America: The First Avenger; which is currently filming in the UK:

“I know that Captain America film takes place primarily during the Battle of Britain in the 40’s.”

The Battle of Britain is the name given to the air campaign waged by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) against the United Kingdom during the summer and autumn of 1940. It was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces, and was also the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign to that date.

Background information on Battle of Britain and Invaders #1 courtesy of Wikipedia

This same Battle was also used as the backdrop for the launch of the comic book series The Invaders. The team was originally comprised of Captain America, his sidekick Bucky, the original android Human Torch, the Torch's sidekick Toro, and Namor the Sub-Mariner; jointly opposing the forces of Nazism. Director Joe Johnston has stated that The Invaders (or an adaptation of) will be appearing in "the entire second half" of Captain America.

Gregg jokingly pitched playing his own grandfather in Captain America, but it appears he may already have his hands full with other Marvel Studios films.

“I’ve heard about the Nick Fury movie. I would assume that if they make a Nick Fury movie they’re gonna have to use Coulson cause he’s Nick’s right hand man. That’s still a couple of movies away and I’m hoping nothing happens to Agent Coulson cause I don’t know what I would do for work.”

Captain America: The First Avenger along with Thor are two of next summer's expected blockbusters and lead-ins to 2012's The Avengers. As for The Avengers, Gregg stated that, although he has yet to verify with his "sources," he's been told shooting is scheduled to start as early as February in Manhattan.

Iron Man 2 is now available to own on DVD & Blu-ray. Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor are scheduled for theatrical release on July 22nd and May 6th, 2011, respectively.