If you’re geeking out these days like I am with all of the superhero movies, then rumors of The Avengers ought to have you downright frothing at the mouth. Lots of buzz has gone around about the cast but it seems finally set (and it’s not half bad). Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his Iron Man role (reason enough to watch). Chris Evans plays Captain America (which is impressive since he’s already played the Human Torch from the Fantastic Four). Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye is a bit of casting genius. Scarlett Johansson is still the Black Widow; Samuel L. Jackson is Nick Fury; Chris Hemsworth gets to be Thor (see pix below), and apparently Nathan Fillian will play Ant Man with Eva Longoria rumored to be playing Wasp.
Only that pesky Hulk has yet to be settled on. Up until just about a week ago, Ed Norton seemed firmly in place. But apparently Ed’s own temper got the best of him and his prickly demeanor and stubborn insistence on creative control have him on the outs with producers. Not very keeping in the spirit of Avengers teamwork, is it? The latest rumor has Mark Ruffalo taking over as Bruce Banner/Hulk. That will be three A-list actors trying on the green skin in the past few years. Ruffalo seems an odd, somewhat subdued choice but there is a reason I’m not a casting director.
Joss Whedan will direct, with Jon Favreau on as producer. Other than that, not a lot is known about plot or villains (there have been whispers of Skrulls). But just the idea of all that Marvel muscle in one place has sent many fans into a tizzy and early posters have been making the rounds. The one above is actually pretty good, but from what I know isn’t official at all.
A few other concept posters have just come out. (Check out the badass horn helmet on Loki, who will apparently be played by this guy.)
