Fan CastingCaptain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Description of Abraham Erskine (First appeared in Captain America #1 (1941):

Abraham Erskine is a scientist during World War II in the Marvel Universe. The character, created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941) as Professor Reinstein. The name was revised after Marvel resumed using Captain America. A 1965 retelling of Captain America's origin identified the character as Dr. Erskine.[22] Roy Thomas added that "Josef Reinstein" was an alias in a 1975 story set during World War II.[23] The full name Abraham Erskine would not be applied to the character until years later.[24] Within the context of the stories, Abraham Erskine is a German biochemist and physicist who had spent much of his early life studying the human species. During this time he develops a diet and exercise program along with a serum and "vita-rays" which would transform an ordinary person into a "super soldier".[25][26][27] Horrified when he witnesses Adolf Hitler and Baron Zemo test a "death ray" on a human subject, he contacts the United States to defect from Nazi Germany.[28] After the United States Army gets him out of Germany and fakes his death, he takes the alias "Josef Reinstein".[24][29] He recreates the Super Soldier Serum for Project: Rebirth for the U.S. Army. He oversees and administers the treatment to Steve Rogers before several U.S. Army officers and government officials. Moments after Rogers' transformation, Erskine is assassinated by Heinz Kruger.[25]