The Avengers (film)

The Avengers is a movie now filming. The intent is to unite many of the Marvel Universe heroes in one film. Characters who have been mentioned as appearing in the film include Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury.

Cast

 * Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America
 * Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man
 * Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
 * Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow
 * Chris Hemsworth as Thor
 * Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk
 * Lou Ferrigno as the voice of The Hulk
 * Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye
 * Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan
 * Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson
 * Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill
 * Kevin Pennington as an as-of-yet-unnamed S.H.I.E.L.D. agent
 * Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig
 * Stan Lee

Production
""As most of you know, I don't like to talk much about the business of making movies because it means a lot to me to protect the audience's fullest enjoyment of the 'magic' that films can have,. "But I am so appreciative of the outpouring of support from fans of the Hulk and The Avengers that I feel it would be rude not to respond. So there it goes: It seems it won't work out for me to continue playing Bruce Banner for Marvel in The Avengers. I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone but it hasn't turned out as we all hoped. "I know this is disappointing to many people and that makes me sad. But I am so grateful to Marvel for extending the offer and even more so for the chance to be part of the Hulk's long and excellent history. And I really can't thank the fans enough for how much enthusiasm you've sent my way... It means a lot to me. "I grew up with Banner and Hulk and have been a fan of every incarnation. I'm really proud, and very blessed, to have been one of them and will be thrilled to see him live on through other actors. Hulk is bigger than all of us, that's why we love him, right?" Sincerely, Edward Norton"
 * The Avengers will begin filming in February of 2011 . It will be shot in Raleigh Studios.
 * HitFix reported that Edward Norton is not returning as Bruce Banner in the film and the studio will cast an unknown to play Bruce Banner. The following day Kevin Fiege confirmed the report, though saying that a "name actor" would be replacing him rather than an unknown.
 * Norton later released a statement on Facebook:
 * The film will be shot in Cleveland, Ohio where Spider-Man 3 was shot, Los Angeles, California, Michigan, Long Island, New York and New Mexico.

Trivia

 * Joe Carnahan was in talks to direct the film before Joss Whedon got the job.
 * Edward Norton was originally set to reprise his role from The Incredible Hulk (2008) but negotiations between him and Marvel Studios broke down. Norton was replaced with Mark Ruffalo.
 * Jeremy Renner was said to be taking archery lessons for his role as Hawkeye.
 * The first Marvel film to be distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.
 * Before Mark Ruffalo was cast as The Hulk, Joaquin Phoenix was rumored for the part.
 * Morena Baccarin, Jessica Lucas, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Cobie Smulders screen tested for the role of Agent Maria Hill. Smulders was eventually cast.
 * Lou Ferrigno returns as the voice of the animated Incredible Hulk whom he first portrayed in 1977.

Videos
Video:The Avengers teaser trailer|The Avengers teaser trailer

Video:Marvel Studios' The Avengers: The Intros|The Avengers cast at Comic Con.