The Avengers (may contain spoilers!)

[Razorwing]

Jeremy Renner confirmed the unsurprising news that he won't be wearing the classic purple costume from the comics to play Hawkeye, which he thinks is all for the best anyway:

[MTV Splash Page]

Who wouldn't want a relationship with Scarjo? Even if it is on screen :laugh:

[Rappy Veteran]

We all know that Mark Ruffalo landed the part of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in Marvel Studios' upcoming The Avengers. What we didn't know is that he'll actually do the motion capture for the Green Goliath!

He told Vulture: "I'm really excited. No one's ever played the Hulk exactly, they've always done CGI... They're going to do the Avatar stop-action, stop-motion capture. So I'll actually play the Hulk. That'll be fun."

Ruffalo added that he's going more for Bill Bixby's Banner: "I really love the first TV version of it, the Bill Bixby one... I'm gonna shoot for that a little bit. He was an everyman in it. He's always on the run and trying to find love. It's really a sympathetic character, before he turns into the Hulk and f*cks everything up."

The Avengers is scheduled for a May 4, 2012 release.

[Rappy Veteran]

In all of Whedon's interviews he seems to say a lot without saying anything, but it still gives us something to discuss. Regarding the characters stories in the film he had this to say,

There are definitely stipulations and restrictions, but Kevin Feige is very active as a producer and worked with me a lot on the story, but they are absolutely honouring the fact that this is my film. What I kind of think ultimately defines Marvel Studios was the first thing they did and that was cast Robert Downey Jr. They said, 'What if we got great actors and let them have some time to be the people they're supposed to be instead of going through the paces of hitting this mark and that mark?' They don't always 
get it right, but nobody does. But if 
you look at who they already had, and who they allowed me to add to the cast, they are thinking about the integrity of the characters. Obviously we have to get from point A to point B, and fans really want to see this ? and ideas for set-pieces which I said are great. Now I'm going to make them matter and they are completely on board with the idea.

There is a lot riding on this film for Marvel and Whedon. They have to get it right because if they don't the fans will never let them hear the end of it. They will haunt them until they eventually disappear. This movie has to be completely bad ass and successful! But it seems like Whedon and Feige are working well together, and I have faith that these guys will bring us something special, after all this is the moment that Marvel has been leading up to. If this works, Marvel is going to blow up in ways we never expected to see. Whedon continues saying,

What I will struggle with, in the outline and throughout, is that I would like to put these actors in a room and just make Glengarry Glen Ross," he laughs. "We're talking about really exciting people and at the same time I have to keep the momentum of the thing going. I can't let it turn into a lull fest. Knowing that I have enough time to do both of those things ? that by the end of the movie you will feel 'in' with these guys ? is the trick. It's not an easy one but one that Marvel absolutely honours. They don't hire Mark Ruffalo [the new Hulk] to say one iconic line and strike a pose. They hire him because he has so much humanity in him. He's the antithesis of the iconic actor. He's so human. He was my first choice to play the part, and the fact he is playing the part is nuts! They went to great lengths to make that happen and they understood exactly why he was right for the part.

I'm still extremely happy to see Whedon directing this movie. The guy is very talented, I love how optimistic he is. He's just got such a very positive happy attitude, and I know that's going to help him in developing the best possible Avengers movie that can be made. I'm sure Whedon is going to do an awesome job! He also had this to say,

I?m feeling that everything that I have done before has prepared me for this, besides the fact that I?ve been reading The Avengers since I was 11.

[Rappy Veteran]

In an article at Advertising Age, Marvel Entertainment's Paul Gitter says the "Avengers Assemble" branding will be everywhere soon to promote Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers.

"You're going to see 'Avengers Assemble' logos and icons take more prominent positions," said Paul Gitter, president-consumer products for Marvel Entertainment. "On a lot of the packaging you're going to see everywhere, Marvel does tie back into 'The Avengers,' and the umbrella platform we have set up."

Among the goods set to roll out are a full line of action figures, vehicles and role-playing items from toy maker Hasbro; arts and crafts products from Crayola; die-cast toy vehicles and play sets from Maisto; and footwear from Brown Shoe. Additional licensees include Fruit of the Loom, Kids Headquarters, AME and Jem Sportswear.

The article adds this interesting bit as well:

Whatever Marvel learns in its efforts, expect to see lessons learned applied well beyond the release of "The Avengers" film, said Mr. Gitter. He alluded to a plan in development pegged to 2017, but declined to offer details. As they say in the comics, to be continued.

[McCordRm]

I have to say, I freakin' love Whedon. Buffy, Angel, Dr. Horrible's characters...

the man has a gift. If anyone can do character development- that is to say,

get inside the head of a character and then mold the actor to bring it out-

I think he's the guy. I'm really excited to see what he comes up with.

[burnsflipper]

I have to say, I freakin' love Whedon. Buffy, Angel, Dr. Horrible's characters...

the man has a gift. If anyone can do character development- that is to say,

get inside the head of a character and then mold the actor to bring it out-

I think he's the guy. I'm really excited to see what he comes up with.

Don't forget Firefly/Serenity, best ensemble cast and characterization I've ever seen :)

[Rappy Veteran]

V star Morena Baccarin is rumoured to be under consideration for the role of The Wasp in Joss Whedon's upcoming adaptation of Marvel Comics' The Avengers.

During an interview at New York Comic Con, Baccarin refused to clarify whether the rumours were true about Whedon's interest in her for the part.

"I wish I had more information for you," Baccarin explained to Access Hollywood. "All I will say is I will never turn down an opportunity to work with him."

Baccarin has previously worked with Whedon on the science fiction series Firefly and its film follow-up Serenity.

It is currently unknown whether the character of Janet Van Dyne, aka The Wasp, will appear in the film, despite the character being a founding member of the superhero team in the original comic book series.

The Avengers is currently scheduled to be released in 3D on May 4, 2012.

[Xero]

She might not be bad. Although I'm not all that keen on seeing Whedon use some of his regulars from past series. This isn't one of his projects, it's bigger than him. Don't ruin it by casting your friends :angry:

Although I can't say I'd be upset to see Summer or Eliza or Sarah :blink:

[Rappy Veteran]

Here's a first look at Nick Fury's flying fortress from Joss Whedon's Avengers. The Helicarrier, which was originally supposed to appear in Iron Man 2, was designed by George Hull and eschews the comic book design's turbines for giant propellers.

According to leak site Spidermedia.Ru, Kevin Feige wants to build one of these puppies atop the convention center for the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con. I hope he also decides to recruit 300 Samuel L. Jackson impersonators to wander the convention floor as Life Model Decoys.

[Spidermedia via Filmsketchr]

[rathefeare]

I wanted Portman for Wasp, but Baccarin is a decent second choice I guess. She certainly has the short "pixie" style hair going on right now. SMG for Ms. Marvel might be right around the corner.

[Razorwing]

The Flying Fortress looks awesome!

[Rappy Veteran]

More and more details are trickling out of Marvel Studios executive Kevin Feige's recent chat with fans. He revealed that we will see a new Iron Man costume when Tony Stark shows up in The Avengers, with the evolution of the costume that began in Iron Man 2 continuing in the big team-up film.

[Razorwing]

Man I liked the Iron Man 2 Suit. Especially with the two lasers that cut through everything.

[Rappy Veteran]

Ain't It Cool News points out that the print version of this article from the Albuquerque Journal includes a possible hint at the storyline for The Avengers. The article says:

"The Avengers" script will blend "Iron Man," "Thor" and "Captain America: The First Avenger" story lines as the Avengers battle with two alien races, the Skrulls and the Kree.

While the article features quotes from people involved with bringing the production to New Mexico, there is no confirmation that the Albuquerque Journal got this story information from Marvel Studios or Disney, so we'll have to wait and see if they are indeed going this route.

The anticipated movie is scheduled to shoot between April and September of 2011 at Albuquerque Studios, as well as in New York and Michigan.

http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/112850-the-avengers-to-battle-the-skrulls-and-kree

[M_Lyons10]

It's such a shame Whedon is involved... He'll probably ruin it as he does with most anything he's involved in. And the Marvel movies were on such a roll too... *sigh*...

[giantpotato]

It's such a shame Whedon is involved... He'll probably ruin it as he does with most anything he's involved in. And the Marvel movies were on such a roll too... *sigh*...

I think you're confusing Whedon with FOX :rolleyes:

[Rappy Veteran]

In a rehearsal interview for the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards, THOR star Chris Hemsworth shares his excitement for The Avengers heedlessly mentions they battle each other.

When attempting to assemble some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, an allied altercation between them should come as no surprise. And while Marvel's crossover spectacle The Avengers is no exception, the actor behind the Mighty Avenger Thor, Chris Hemsworth essentially confirms this altercation.

[Rappy Veteran]

Though he admits that there have been only very brief discussions between him and fellow Avengers cast mates since they all took the stage at last year's Comic-Con, Thor leading man Chris Hemsworth offered a few additional updates on the ensemble flim to MTV News.

"I saw a very early draft and, yeah, it's incredible," Hemsworth said of the screenplay, "...Look, everything about the story in the comic books is huge. You have these huge, big superheroes and these huge, big egos kind of crammed into one small space. Reading the script, it was massive. I said to Joss [Whedon], 'I don't know how you're going to shoot this thing, but I'm excited to be onboard and let's give it a go.'"

He added that there will be, on screen, a lot of friction between Thor and his fellow Avengers, hinting that Thor and the Hulk, especially, will come to blows onscreen.

When asked about the rumored cameo of Jeremy Renner in Thor, Hemsworth played it coy, neither confirming nor denying the actor or the character's appearance. If Hawkeye, does appear, though, it won't be in a scene with Hemsworth.

"He wasn't on set when I was there," Hemsworth did confirm.

[Growled Member]

I hope Thor and The Hulk get into it.

[burnsflipper]

It's such a shame Whedon is involved... He'll probably ruin it as he does with most anything he's involved in. And the Marvel movies were on such a roll too... *sigh*...

I suggest you take a good look at Serenity and see how Whedon handles a good ensemble cast when the pricks at FOX aren't meddling in the order of the story he wanted to tell ;)

[Rappy Veteran]

Nick Fury himself, Samuel L. Jackson, recently told Jimmy Fallon that he would be doing tests with ?like five? different actresses who are up for a yet-to-be-cast role in Joss Whedon?s The Avengers. That role is for Fury?s assistant and The Hollywood Reporter says four of the actresses who will be testing are Morena Baccarin (who has previously worked with Whedon on Firefly and Serenity and is now seen on V), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) Jessica Lucas (Cloverfield) and Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother).

[Growled Member]

Based on the above pictures, I'd like to see more of Jessica Lucas.

[Rappy Veteran]

A couple days ago, a short-list was unveiled for a "side-kick" role alongside Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury, in Marvel's highly-anticipated Avengers Movie. On that short-list, it included actresses familiar with director Joss Whedon, Morena Baccarin, Cobie Smulders, Jessica Lucas and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. And now according to the ever-reliable Deadline:

I'm hearing that Cobie Smulders has emerged as the front runner for the role of SHIELD Agent Maria Hill in the Joss Whedon-directed The Avengers and that a deal could be done before the weekend is out.

In the comics, Maria Hill is considered the ruthless interim executive director of SHIELD, and has appeared in several issues alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes. And as for Cobie Smulders, 28, shes most know for her role in How I Met Your Mother.

And commencing filming in April, Smulders is set to join Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, and Kevin Pennington, when The Avengers assembles May 4, next year in 3D!

[Jamushroom Veteran]

I hope Thor and The Hulk get into it.

They already announced that.

[Rappy Veteran]

As you may already know, both myself and many others have been campaigning for actress Yvonne Strahovski to be cast as Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel for quite a while, and unbelievably it seems like our collective wishes might just be coming true! Strahotski, one of the top fan sites for the Chuck star, have apparently been sent a scoop revealing that she's going to be cast in the role by Marvel Studios! Check out an excerpt from their report

Though it?s not often that we get the scoop on anything here, I?ve just received information from a protected source inside Marvel that points to Yvonne Strahovski being cast in the upcoming Avengers movie as Ms. Marvel.

Could it be true?

I, for one, have long hoped to see Yvonne crop up in a comic book movie. She?s got the action chops to easily pull it off and it was really just a matter of time before the right character came along.

http://www.strahotski.com/