Back in May, while promoting his film Tamara Drewe at the Cannes Film Festival, Dominic Cooper let the news slip that he would be playing the young Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger. But just like the Tommy Lee Jones story from yesterday, it's nice to have a confirmation, and now we have it: Cooper is officially the young John Slattery.

Marvel has issued a press release confirming that the role of Stark officially belongs to Cooper. While the announcement doesn't include any information about how he will be involved in the plot of the film, Stark is best known as the father of Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man) and the founder of Stark Industries, but, covertly, was also one of the founding members of S.H.I.E.L.D., the secret government organization that oversees all superhero activity in America.

You can read the entire release below. Congratulations Mr. Cooper. Hopefully you'll be a bit more involved than Gerard Sanders.

Dominic Cooper Confirmed as Howard Stark in Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Marvel Studios announced today that Dominic Cooper has been cast to star as Howard Stark in the studio’s highly anticipated movie CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER opposite Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan, and Stanley Tucci. In the film, Cooper will portray the younger version of Howard Stark, the character which John Slattery portrayed in IRON MAN 2. Joe Johnston will direct the film penned by Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely.

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER. Alan Fine, Stan Lee, David Maisel, Nigel Gostelow and Louis D’Esposito will executive produce. The film will be released in the US on July 22, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER 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.

Cooper will soon be seen in Stephen Frears’ TAMARA DREWE and Lee Tamahori’s THE DEVIL’S DOUBLE. He was most recently seen in the Oscar® nominated AN EDUCATION as well as THE DUCHESS. Cooper is also well known for his roles as Sky in the movie musical MAMMA MIA! and Dakin in both the stage and screen adaptations of THE HISTORY BOYS.

In addition to CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, Marvel Studios most recently released the highly anticipated sequel, IRON MAN 2, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow on May 7, 2010, and will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including THOR on May 6, 2011, and MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012.

Cooper is represented by CAA.

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