When 'Captain America 2' announced the casting of Robert Redford in a critical role, most of us uttered some weird combination of "wow" and "whoa" because, let's admit it, Robert Redford doesn't need to do a superhero movie. He's in that well-earned stage of his career where he can just do whatever he wants, not screw up his legacy and ride off into the sunset as a Hollywood legend. So why did he agree to star in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier?'

If superhero movies were the thing back in the early-70s, you better believe that Robert Redford would've been cast as Captain America. Just look at the guy (that's 1972 Redford pictured above). But now it's 2013 and Redford hasn't starred in a movie he hasn't also directed in over eight years and hasn't starred in a Hollywood action film since 2001's 'Spy Game.'

So why now and why 'Captain America 2?' Redford tells the LA Times:

I'm doing this film because it's different. It's a new thing for me... I think these films are really powerful. I think they're great. This is the kind of film I would have loved to see as a kid... I like the idea of stepping into new territory. I'm excited by it. I also think it's a good bunch of people who really know what they're doing.

All valid points. And hey, we're happy to have him. It just seemed like the right time/right place for Redford to make another big movie. (And we suppose it couldn't hurt promoting his upcoming indie film, 'The Company You Keep Either.')

As for who Redford would be playing, he stays mum, but reports are that he'll playing something of a high-ranking 'S.H.I.E.L.D.' executive and perhaps part of that team of shadowy government figures trying to give Nick Fury orders in 'The Avengers.'

'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' hits theaters on April 4, 2014.

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