Word Balloon Comics Podcast Scene Missing: Captain America (1990) — The Director’s Cut
Nov 4, 2025
02:02:12
In this Scene Missing episode, John Siuntres joins Wayne Mousseau and Mitch Hallock to dissect the newly unearthed Director’s Cut of the infamous 1990 Captain America film. Long dismissed as a curious relic of pre-MCU comic-book cinema, this version restores nearly 20 minutes of footage, deepening the Cold War paranoia and emotional stakes that the theatrical release fumbled.
The trio dives into how director Albert Pyun’s original vision—once buried under studio edits and budget constraints—finally gets its due. They discuss the extended opening in 1943, richer character beats for Steve Rogers and the Red Skull, and the tonal tug-of-war between gritty espionage and pulp heroics.
Wayne spotlights Pyun’s visual ambition on a shoestring budget; Mitch breaks down how the new cut reframes Cap as a tragic man out of time; and John connects the film’s underdog spirit to the larger legacy of Marvel adaptations before Blade and X-Men changed the game. It’s a spirited, funny, and surprisingly affectionate reassessment of a movie once mocked and now rediscovered—part history lesson, part fandom therapy session. Scene Missing proves again that even flawed heroes deserve a second look.
The trio dives into how director Albert Pyun’s original vision—once buried under studio edits and budget constraints—finally gets its due. They discuss the extended opening in 1943, richer character beats for Steve Rogers and the Red Skull, and the tonal tug-of-war between gritty espionage and pulp heroics.
Wayne spotlights Pyun’s visual ambition on a shoestring budget; Mitch breaks down how the new cut reframes Cap as a tragic man out of time; and John connects the film’s underdog spirit to the larger legacy of Marvel adaptations before Blade and X-Men changed the game. It’s a spirited, funny, and surprisingly affectionate reassessment of a movie once mocked and now rediscovered—part history lesson, part fandom therapy session. Scene Missing proves again that even flawed heroes deserve a second look.