As we draw closer and closer to the official release of the actor who will play Captain America, anticipation is running high. And, as always, with anticipation comes rumors. Deadline Hollywood is reporting that they've got their hands on the short list of candidates for the "All American Hero." More information after the jump.

The biggest surprise on the list, by far, is John Krasinski. The inclusion of Krasinski, whose face is known to every American as Jim from The Office, is already eliciting cries of despair from comic book geeks who don't feel he fits the part. I beg to differ. I recall when Robert Downey Jr. was cast as Iron Man, where objections were immediately raised. Instead, that turned out to be one of the most interesting and successful casting decisions in recent memory.

The short list is made up of big names and small players alike. We've got Scott Porter, who is best known for his role as Jason Street on "Friday Night Lights". I'm currently half way through the third season of "Friday Night Lights" and I'm less than impressed with his performance throughout the show's runtime. However, he looks the part which is a key factor for most Cap fans.

This list also has Patrick Flueger, who played the young Sergent who meets a foul fate in 2009's BROTHERS, and Mike Vogel, whose pretty boy performance in CLOVERFIELD doesn't stick with me as possessing the necessary masculinity. Finally, we've got two kids who've made their mark on The CW by playing hunks on Gossip Girl and Privileged- Chace Crawford and Michael Cassidy respectively.

So, what're your thoughts? Any good names on this list. They're interesting for sure, though I'm waiting for judgment from GATW's own John Mulhern, who is a big CAPTAIN AMERICAN fan and has been following each piece of news carefully.