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When it was recently announced that Derek Luke had a role in the upcoming Marvel film, 'Captain America: First Avenger,' many fans and websites were curious as to which character the 36 year-old New Jersey native would play since the studio hadn't mentioned it in numerous press releases on the film.
Luke will be playing one of Nick Fury's Howling Commando's, Gabe Jones, stated BlackFilm.com. Jones is remembered in the Marvel universe as a fierce fighter who always carried his trumpet into battle.
Other roles Luke was speculated for were a young Nick Fury, Fury's father Jack or Captain America's Avengers' partner Falcon.
As the first African-American to serve in an integrated unit, Jones is one of the close confidantes to Sergeant Nick Fury, who would later become the head of the organization S.H.I.E.L.D. Jones would later join him as an agent.
Nick Fury has been played by Samuel L. Jackson in both 'Iron Man' films and will appear in this film as well as the upcoming 'Avengers.'
Luke, who made his film debut in Denzel Washington's directorial debut Antwone Fisher, and played a soldier in Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna, last appeared in the 2009 films, Tyler Perry's 'Madea Goes to Jail,' and the rapper Notorious B.I.G. biopic 'Notorious,' where he played Sean 'Diddy' Combs. In 2009-2010, he starred in the now-cancelled NBC medical TV series, 'Trauma.'
Luke also joins the list of African Americans being featured in upcoming comic books films.
Besides Samuel L. Jackson, Idris Elba is playing the Norse God Heimdall in Kenneth Branagh's 'Thor,' and Angela Bassett is playing the mysterious Dr. Amanda Waller on the DC' superhero film, 'Green Lantern,' starring Ryan Reynolds.
Directed by Joe Johnston, 'Captain America: The First Avenger' stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Sebastian Stan, Toby Jones, Samuel L. Jackson, Dominic Cooper, Tommy Lee Jones, Stanley Tucci, and Neal McDonough.
Scheduled to be released in 3D on July 22, 2011, the film will focus on the early days of the Marvel Universe when Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
Born during the Great Depression, Steve Rogers grew up a frail youth in a poor family. Horrified by the newsreel footage of the Nazis in Europe, Rogers was inspired to enlist in the army. However, because of his frailty and sickness, he was rejected. Overhearing the boy's earnest plea, General Chester Phillips offered Rogers the opportunity to take part in a special experiment... Operation: Rebirth. After weeks of tests, Rogers was at last administered the Super-Solider Serum and bombarded by "vita-rays." Steve Rogers emerged from the treatment with a body as perfect as a body can be and still be human. Rogers was then put through an intensive physical and tactical training program. Three months later, he was given his first assignment as Captain America. Armed with his indestructible shield and battle savvy, Captain America has continued his war against evil both as a sentinel of liberty and as leader of the Avengers.