WEAVING LEADS CAPTAIN AMERICA VILLAIN SEARCH

Sherlock Holmes star Hugo Weaving is in talks to play Captain America's arch-foe in a new movie adaptation of the comic strip.

The actor, who became a top villain in The Matrix movies, is the frontrunner to play Red Skull in the Joe Johnston-directed film.

Captain America has yet to be cast but Chris Evans has emerged as one of the favourites to land the role, according to industry insiders.