Dominic Cooper Joins Captain America Cast as Howard Stark

It's official: English actor Dominic Cooper has been tapped by Marvel Studios to portray a young Howard Stark in the upcoming "Captain America: The First Avenger" film. From Marvel's press release:

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 U.S. 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 joins a cast which already includes Chris Evans, Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving, Hayley Atwell, Sebastian Stan and Stanley Tucci.

Now think about this connection: Dominic Cooper is playing Howard Stark, who was played by John Slattery in Iron Man 2, who is also a partner in Stirling Cooper in Mad Men.

Coincidence? I think not.