Chris Evans, who played Johnny Storm in two Fantastic Four films and who also stars in two other comic book-based films due out this summer, The Losers and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, has been offered the key role of Captain America.  Reportedly the deal includes three Captain America movies, a similar number of Avengers films as well as appearances in several other Marvel movies (see “Cap Actor Will Get 9-Picture Deal”).

The Hollywood Reporter broke the story that Evans has been offered the title role in Captain America: The First Avenger, which Joe Johnston (The Wolfman) is directing.  According to The Reporter, the film will be shot in England and released on July 22nd, 2011.

If the report is correct and Evans does take the job, it will mark the end of one of the major casting competitions of recent years.  A horde of hunky young actors including Michael Cassidy, Patrick Flueger, Wilson Bethel, Chace Crawford, John Krasinski, Mike Vogel, Scott Crawford, and Garrett Hedlund have all been mentioned in conjunction with the role (see “Captain America Casting Underway”).