Unlike Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, where part of their settings added to at least a larger visual diversity (even if their depictions may had issues), the first movie featuring Cap has the distinct disadvantage of taking place in the 1940s, a time of segregation of races and marginalization of women, or at least that's the general belief of the period. There is certainly some truth it. Segregation of the armed forces wasn't ordered ended until 1948. The work women did to support the war effort at home embodied in the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter was vital in transforming women's place in American society beyond the home. A number of women served in the armed forces and saw combat and few have had their stories told. But segregation remained and the vast majority of soldiers serving were men, so you might not expect the cast to show that much variation.
And if your expectation are low, you won't be disappointed.
Main Characters
Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America (Chris Evans)
Just a lanky, undersized kid from Brooklyn transformed through the power of science to become a super soldier. But his heroism was in him all along. We love you, Cap!
Agent Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell)
The no-nonsense British agent attached to Colonel Chester Phillip's special operations super soldier program. As empathetic to Steve's situation as she is deadly with a pistol, but best not to piss her off. She'll fire a gun at an impenetrable metal shield in close quarters if she's feeling like it.
James "Bucky" Buchanan
Steve's best friend and hulking protector back in their Brooklyn days. Later has to deal with being second in command and less impressive soldier while fighting under his best friend in the Howling Commandos.
Johann Schmidt a.k.a. The Red Skull (Hugo Weaving)
The first failed test subject of Dr. Abraham Erskine's super soldier serum. It had... side effects. Leading his own HYDRA organization within the German military, he plans to devastate the world on the way to conquering it.
Supporting Characters
Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper)
Genius, inventor, scientist, and womanizer, Stark is a popular public figure and vital to the Super Soldier Program. Not the romantic rival Steve thinks he is.
Colonel Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones)
Grizzled army veteran and head of the Super Soldier Program. Tommy being Tommy and that's all you really need to know.
Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci)
German scientist who defected to the Allies and the creator of the Super Soldier serum. The creation of the Red Skull is one of his greatest shames and Steve his greatest hope.
Dr. Arnim Zola (Toby Jones)
The Red Skull's top scientist, helping to develop advanced weaponry based on the Tessaract.
Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan (Neal McDonough)
The white American member of the Howling Commandos.
Minor Characters
Jim Morita (Kenneth Choi)
The Japanese-American member of the Howling Commandos from Fresno, Ace.
Gabe Jones (Derek Luke)
The African American member of the Howling Commandos. Ancestor of SHIELD Agent Antoine Triplett.
James Montgomery Falsworth (JJ Feild)
The British member of the Howling Commandos.
Jacques Dernier (Bruno Ricci)
The French member of the Howling Commandos.
Heinz Kruger (Richard Armitage)
Undercover HYRDRA assassin and super soldier who witnesses Steve's transformation.
Miscellaneous
- So yeah, one woman of any role of consequence. After Peggy the most prominent female character is probably former Anne Boleyn and future Margaery Tyrell Natalie Dormer as the private who makes out with Steve, much to Peggy's chagrin. Outside of her, you have Steve's and Bucky's dates early in the movie, the USO dancers, and the SHIELD agent posing as an army nurse in 21st century New York late in the film.
- Samuel L. Jackson gets one final cameo before The Avengers, welcoming the just awoken Steve to the 21st century.
Scores
Thank goodness for the Howling Commandos, or we'd have almost no diversity. Just Peggy, though if her new show is any indication, she's pretty effective on her own.
Main characters Diversity Score: 25
White men: 11 (3 main, 5 supporting, 3 minor)
White women: 1 (1 main)
POC
Men: 2 (2 minor)
Women: 0
Women DS: 7
Total DS: 21
Women DS: 7
Total DS: 21
But, hey, Dominic Cooper was really good playing two Iraqi men in The Devil's Double.
Tabulation
Iron Man: Main, 50; Women, 19; Total, 55
The Incredible Hulk: Main, 25; Women, 33; Total, 56
Iron Man 2: Main, 60; Women, 21; Total, 36
Thor: Main, 33 (100); Women, 27; Total, 47 (87)
Captain America: The First Avenger: Main, 25; Women, 7; Total, 21
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