A new rumor indicates that Captain America villain Taskmaster will be the main villain in the upcoming Black Widow movie.
The rumor from We Got This Covered also suggests this version of Taskmaster will be based on the Marvel Ultimate universe version. It also suggests that Marvel Studios is looking at André Holland to take on the roll.
The Taskmaster in Marvel’s Ultimate universe first appeared in Ultimate Comics All-New Spider-Man #26. Anthony Masters was hired by Roxxon Corporation to bring to heel the companies’ runaway experiments. He was specifically hired to bring in Cloak and Dagger, but crosses paths with Spider-Man, Spider-Woman and Bombshell.
During his fight with Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, and Bombshell, Taskmaster’s powers would be revealed to copy any powers or attacks that make contact with him. For example, after Bombshell uses her powers on him, Taskmaster doesn’t even stagger and throws her own mimicked attack right back at her.
The main 616 Marvel Universe Taskmaster originally debuted in [easyazon_link identifier=”B0060WMTG0″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]The Avengers #195[/easyazon_link] in 1980. The character was created by David Michelinie and artist George Pérez. His abilities are a little different than the Ultimate Universe version. In the main universe, Taskmaster is able to mimic the physical movements of his opponents. His abilities allow him to duplicate complicated rope tricks, excel at football, and allow him to take on some of the Marvel Universe’s most accomplished fighters.
Similar to the Ultimate Universe version, Taskmaster is a mercenary. However, he also created a training school for criminals to help the against the Marvel Universe’s many heroes. But he has also trained a number of Marvel’s heroes including U.S. Agent and Spider-Woman. Interestingly enough, he also trained Crossbones.
During the events of [easyazon_link identifier=”078512179X” locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Civil War[/easyazon_link], Taskmaster was recruited by the government to join the Thunderbolts and hunt down Captain America’s Secret Avengers.
As for André Holland, the actor doesn’t have too many credits. He did take on Matt Miller in FX’s American Horror Story. He also plays Henry Deaver in Castle Rock. His film credits include A Wrinkle in Time, 42, [easyazon_link identifier=”B00S0X4HK8″ locale=”US” tag=”boundingintocomics-20″]Selma[/easyazon_link], and Moonlight.
Marvel reportedly green lit the Black Widow movie before July of last year when reports surfaced that Cate Shortland would direct the film. Back in February, Collider reported that writer Ned Benson was brought onto the project to rewrite the original script by Jac Schaeffer.
Early rumors indicated the film would be a prequel movie taking place 15 years after the fall of the Soviet Union and would involve Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier.
Are you interested in seeing Taskmaster introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the main Black Widow villain? What do you think of André Holland getting the role? Do you like the idea of using the Ultimate version of Taskmaster over the 616 version?