BlackFilm.com confirmed through a "reliable source" that Derek Luke will play Gabe Jones, part of the elite World War II Howling Commandos squadron. Although it's been known for awhile that the Miracle at St. Anna star had been cast in Captain America: The First Avenger, it was unclear what role he'd be playing until now.
Introduced into the Marvel Universe in 1963, Gabe Jones is the first African-American to serve in an integrated unit, and becomes a close confidant of Nick Fury. Eventually Jones finds himself a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. as an agent under his former leader. Not much is known at this point on how much of Jones' comic history will make it into the film, or what Marvel's plans for the character will be in future films. What we do know is that Captain America will cross paths with the Howling Commandos at some point during the flick. Race relations have never been so cool.
In addition to Luke, Captain America also features Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, Dominic Cooper, Toby Jones and Stanley Tucci. Directed by Joe Johnston (The Wolfman) the final piece to Marvel's trifecta (Thor and X-Men: First Class) will hit theaters in 3D and IMAX on July 22, 2011.
