'Captain America' Title Changed In Russia, Ukraine, South Korea

LOS ANGELES — Captain America will keep its patriotic full title in most of the world when the superhero adventure hits the big-screen.

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Studios gave distributors around the world the option of shortening the title of "Captain America: The First Avenger" to simply "The First Avenger," out of concern about anti-American sentiment.

But the only countries that took them up on it were Russia, Ukraine and South Korea.

In other territories, the movie will go out with the full title, a sign that the brand value of the Marvel Comics hero trumps any potential anti-U.S. feelings in some parts of the world.

Movie titles often are changed in foreign countries for cultural reasons or because the original names don't translate well. In French-speaking countries, "The Hangover" and its sequel were titled "Very Bad Trip."

Starring Chris Evans as the patriotic super-soldier, "Captain America" opens in U.S. theaters July 22.

Comments

[KMAJ]

08:54 AM on 07/11/2011

Reminds me of when they made "G.I. JOE" into an "INTERNATIONAL HERO" and removed the American flag from their uniforms. Hopefully this movie won'tbe the flop that the other one turned into. I am sure the World knows what the star and the red-white-and-blue shield means.

Doesn't bother me, just keep sending that movie money back to the U.S.

[Greg Mirsky]

04:43 PM on 07/07/2011

There are noticeable anti-American comments in Russian-language blogo-sphere in regard to the movie but anti-American sentiments are nothing new in post-Soviet states, particularly in Russia. But I doubt that taking Captain America off the title will make any difference in ticket sales in Russia. At best this step is silly.

[Joe Moore]

05:15 PM on 07/06/2011

The ignorance shown on here is staggering. Before making statements of resentment against these places, look into the actual reasons they might be changing the name. Most importantly language and contextual meaning. Not everything translates perfectly, and sometimes things need to be changed in order for people to understand it. They're not editing the movie to make him NOT American, they aren't removing the American flag or color changing the RW&B...think before you comment people, when you make blanket statements like this about S. Korea not appreciating the help we gave and give them you make yourself look like a fool to those of us with a personal connection and experience with S. Koreans.

[Whistlejackett]

03:19 PM on 07/06/2011

Capitano Cubana ! hahahahah this is so totally ridiculous. Kind of like trying to convince people to believe in Santa. Captain America? Surely you jest! hahahhahahha

Good thing HP is expanding overseas and into Canada. My belly couldn't take the laughing, and my brain couldn't take the wrap.! HP...HELP!

[Buster Nitchski]

06:33 AM on 07/07/2011

I know...This story and thread had me on the floor yesterday! Although I somehow ended up in a debate with some of these knuckleheads. Maybe the joke's on me. :-)

The fact that there's a movie about Captain America is freaking insane!! ILMAO again!

[lamk]

01:36 PM on 07/06/2011

So when they dub/sub whatever it is they do to translate English speaking movies to the language in the country it is being shown, are they going to have the character being called First Avenger instead of Captain America?

[laymancanuck]

01:00 PM on 07/06/2011

America, imperialistic to some, advocate of freedom to others. I wonder which image this movie will portray?

[Norm K]

10:14 AM on 07/08/2011

well, seeing as the movie is set during World War II, and shows him fighting Nazis and HYDRA, I'm thinking it's option number TWO!

[taiwanjohn]

12:52 PM on 07/06/2011

I don't know about Russia or Ukraine, but in most of Asia they have a habit of butchering movie titles in translation. The original name of a movie (or book) is often something poetic, thought provoking, or just plain cryptic... and the connection between title and content might not be obvious. But when they translate the name into Chinese (I live in Taiwan, but this is common in Asia) they deliberately choose a name that gives a clue about the story (or not).

For example, "Made In America" (Ted Dansen & Whoopi Goldberg) was called "精子也瘋狂" in Chinese ("Sperm Is Also Crazy"). The most egregious one I can remember was "Shawshank Redemption," which was called "刺激1995" here in Taiwan ("Stimulating 1995").

In this case, "Captain America" is being billed now as "美國隊長" which is almost word-for-word, except the "captain" part is translated as "team captain" rather than the military rank.

Bottom line, I'd hesitate to jump to political conclusions about movie titles.

[Joe Moore]

05:10 PM on 07/06/2011

I agree. I live in Japan and quite often I see names changed for movies...not so drastic as Sperm is Also Crazy, but enough to take notice. I also don't think there are very political reasons behind this...especially in S. Korea. Been there and didn't come across one person who was anti-American.

[malowski]

07:05 AM on 07/27/2011

I too was surprised by south korea being included, i originally presumed it was amistake and that it should have been north korea.

[gDogMan]

12:52 PM on 07/06/2011

Another librul conespirissy exposerated.

[espcoo]

12:32 PM on 07/06/2011

Does anybody find it ironic that the Capt America title is being changed in South Korea? The nation we helped to secure their freedom and continue to keep the North Korean kooks at bay.

[uhavenoface]

03:13 PM on 07/06/2011

it actually makes a lot of sense when you realize that the us troops stationed in south korea spend a lot of time showing korean women their rapeface.

[pnut166]

04:30 AM on 07/18/2011

And you know this how ?

[Joe Moore]

05:12 PM on 07/06/2011

It's a language thing. If they didn't like us, they wouldn't option the movie at all. Come on now, don't be THAT American.

In case you're wondering, I live in Japan, about 100 miles away from Korea, and have been there many times and have friends who live there...both in Busan and Seoul. I have not encountered anti-American sentiments there.

[espcoo]

02:45 PM on 07/08/2011

So let me get this straight the Koreans don't have a word that translates into "America"? So when they write in the paper about America they leave it blank? Cmon now I'm not uber American but your explanation of a language thing makes no sense. Well looky here...the movie is called 미국 경감

[FactsvsFear]

12:21 PM on 07/06/2011

What? Heck no it shouldn't be changed anywhere. South Korea? Say what? Why do they have a problem with America being in it? He is captain America. Don't like it tough S--T. Your welcome South Korea for all those who were Americans and died in a war so your not under the rule of the crazy little man over in the North.

[Carbon Forteetoo]

11:57 AM on 07/06/2011

In all three of those countries, bootleg DVD's of the movie -- in all it's Captain America glory -- will likely be selling on the streets, even before the movie opens in theatres.

[Vlad Roudenko]

01:38 PM on 07/10/2011

Tell me, who would spend money on DVD's when you can download them on torrent sites in less than an hour?

[Carbon Forteetoo]

02:23 PM on 07/10/2011

Country folk and tourists who aren't technically savvy, tovarisch!

[pnut166]

04:30 AM on 07/18/2011

Honest people.

[Whistlejackett]

11:25 AM on 07/06/2011

Captain America? hahahahaahahahahhahahahaha, is that your reply to the Royals? Really?

[Jacob Black]

11:48 AM on 07/06/2011

You're right. The concept of a royal family in a western democracy is much more cartoonish than Captain America could possibly hope to be.

[Norm K]

10:17 AM on 07/08/2011

Yes, Whistlejackett, because clearly there aren't 60 years of comics with Captain America in them. We clearly just made him up recently to improve the world's perception of us. Besides which, and this may have escaped your notice, we never made the Captain our countries' ruler, or put him on the money, or let him start his own religion.

[gecko013]

11:10 AM on 07/06/2011

Maybe they need their own 'Captain Russia' or 'Captain Ukraine' or 'Captain South Korea' (and why South Korea?). Anyway, when I was about 18 my dad and I got into a discussion about patriotism. As a veteran I surprised to hear him say it's unhealthy to be patriotic. I was set to enter the AF and was pretty upset with his ideology. Now almost two decades later, I understand what he meant. I always thought (even as a kid) the idea of Captain America was pretty narcissistic and no one likes a narcissist. Many comments on here about how great is America and we are the only true free country in the world. One word: illusion. Being patriotic shuts out other countries. They did not choose to be born here or there, just like you did not choose the skin you would be born wearing. I no longer hold on to empty promises and encourage others to do the same. Live by example. Love your brother (and sister lol) as Christ said. Hate never dispelled hate, but love dispels hate as Buddha said. I know this will upset many "patriotic" persons, but that is ok because the only way to know love is to know hate. Hence, love thy enemy for they know not what they do. God be with you.

[Vlad Roudenko]

01:45 PM on 07/10/2011

Gecko, we have plenty of real heroes in Russia and Ukraine. We don't need to make them up. As for patriotism, its not unhealthy. It only becomes unhealthy when its entirely brainwashed patriotism. The comments you refer to are very typical to those who have nationalism stuffed into their heads from a very early age. Some of it can be cured with accurate teaching of history.

[The Buffalo Skinners]

10:59 AM on 07/06/2011

Uh, isn't this story like 4 months old? Why yes it is.

[Vic22]

10:59 AM on 07/06/2011

I am General Patriot!

[Vlad Roudenko]

05:41 PM on 07/10/2011

What exactly does this mean?

[Vic22]

05:50 PM on 07/10/2011

That would be his name in the overseas version, as opposed to Cap Am