Marvel Studios has signed on Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely to handle the script for The First Avenger: Captain America, which will be directed by Joe Johnston.

According to Variety, the red-white-and-blue clad hero with the mighty indestructible shield came to prominence right after the invasion of Pearl Harbor as the U.S. declared war on Japan. The hero is the Marvel character most closely associated with the United States.

The property will provide an interesting litmus test on the world's appetite for an all-American hero by the time the film is released and distributed by Paramount in 2011.

The production date has not been set.