The Avengers - Live Action Movie

[Geekyfanboy]

A day ahead of the release of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Marvel Studios has commissioned work to begin on bringing another comic book series to the big screen: the superhero team of the Avengers. The news comes through Hollywood Reporter, who reports that the Studio has slated Zak Penn to write the script for the live-action adaptation which is currently titled The Avengers.

Penn’s most recent credits include writing the screenplay for another of Marvel’s properties, the upcoming The Incredible Hulk. It’s still unclear which characters will be part of the film. The original Avengers lineup from 1963 included Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Ant-Man and Wasp, but the roster has been expanded in recent years with Spider-Man and Wolverine joining the group. With most of those characters either currently being used for feature films (Spider-Man) or in the process of having their own (Iron Man and Thor), it may make it less likely that they’ll be a part of the story. It would certainly complicate the casting process. However president of Marvel Films Kevin Feige tells Geek that having their own production company now will make creating an Avengers movie easier due to keeping more property licenses in house.

[Geekyfanboy]

'Iron Man' Writers Want Hulk To Be 'The Avengers' Villain
Published by Shawn Adler on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at 5:51 pm.

Hulk vs. Iron ManEverything in the Marvel Film Universe is leading to the eventual superhero tag team-up, "The Avengers," with Iron Man, Ant-Man, Thor, and Captain America all fighting side-by-side. What possible villain could compete with that?

"The Incredible Hulk" director Louis Leterrier told MTV News this past June that he didn't think any villain could, and suggested that they use a hero instead: his.

"Iron Man" writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, who themselves may be writing another Marvel movie in the near future, couldn't agree more, they told MTV News, insisting that everything is building towards making The Hulk the villain in the eagerly anticipated 2011 movie.

"I hope 'The Avengers' embraces that," Fergus said of having the Hulk as misunderstood baddie. "You don't want like 10 super-badass good guys fighting together. Where's the fun in that? Let's break it off a little. Friends or colleagues who become enemies is always an interesting thing because you know it's based on love and friendship and that's always the worst thing to have turn bad — is someone you actually care about and someone you actually believe in."

Hulk, of course, has fought nearly every Marvel hero at some point in the comics, and because he already had his own movie, wouldn't need to be set-up in the new one. In fact, all the hard work is already done.

"I left the door open for whoever's going to direct 'The Avengers' with our last shot. Edward [Norton] and I, we consciously decided to make the last shot of the movie when he opens his eyes and he smirks at the camera," Leterrier told us. "Is he enjoying it? Is he malicious? That's what's great about Edward. You don't know if he's a good guy or bad guy. He's always on this edge and we've been sort of surfing that edge, that very thin edge during the entire movie."

Recall, also that Downey Jr. as Tony Stark appears to General Ross at the very end of "Hulk," a scene Leterrier called the first scene of "The Avengers."

Sign Stark and them up for more, Fergus said.

"I personally like when good-guy characters have to fight each other," he said. "Good guys going against good guys who both believe in an issue is way more interesting than a villain clearly into evil and I like when former friends become committed enemies."

[Geekyfanboy]

Here's a really cool "FAN" made poster for The Avengers using all the current actors in the roles.

[Rico]

Little rumor here, but seems likely given Joss Whedon is directing this movie.

A casting rumor: www.Mania.com  is reporting that Morena Baccarin ("V","Firefly") has been seen visiting a comic shop and purchasing "a bunch of Avengers" comics in between her filming sessions for "V". The actress was reportedly asking the store workers to specifically point out comics with the Wasp in them. Baccarin as The Wasp? "The Avengers" is scheduled to hit theaters on May 4, 2012.

[wraith1701]

Little rumor here, but seems likely given Joss Whedon is directing this movie.

A casting rumor: www.Mania.com  is reporting that Morena Baccarin ("V","Firefly") has been seen visiting a comic shop and purchasing "a bunch of Avengers" comics in between her filming sessions for "V". The actress was reportedly asking the store workers to specifically point out comics with the Wasp in them. Baccarin as The Wasp? "The Avengers" is scheduled to hit theaters on May 4, 2012.

Cool.  :)  I can see her as The Wasp.  In fact, the more I think about it, the more I'm impressed by the idea of her in the role. :)

[Rico]

Yep, I agree.  The Wasp is suppose to be a former fashion model and always dresses in style.  Morena would be a great choice.

[Geekyfanboy]

The Avengers Start of Production Press Release & First Photo!
Source: Marvel Studios
April 26, 2011

Marvel Studios has released a press release on the start of production for Marvel's The Avengers as well as the first photo from the set!

Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios' highly anticipated movie "Marvel's The Avengers," directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") from a screenplay by Whedon.  The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey, Jr. ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth ("Thor") as Thor, Chris Evans ("Captain America: The First Avenger") as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("Thor," "The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are Alright") as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson ("Iron Man 2") as Black Widow, Clark Gregg ("Iron Man," "Thor") as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2") as Nick Fury.  Set for release in the US on May 4, 2012, "Marvel's The Avengers" is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.

Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," "Iron Man 2," "Thor," and "Captain America: The First Avenger," "Marvel's The Avengers" is the super hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series, first published in 1963, "Marvel's The Avengers" brings together the mightiest super hero characters as they all assemble together on screen for the first time. The star studded cast of super heroes will be joined by Cobie Smulders ("How I Met Your Mother) as Agent Maria Hill of S.H.I.E.L.D., as well as Tom Hiddleston ("Wallander") and Stellan Skarsg�rd ("Angels & Demons," "Mamma Mia!") who will both reprise their respective roles as Loki and Professor Erik Selvig from the upcoming Marvel Studios' feature "Thor."

"Marvel's The Avengers" is being produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patty Whitcher, and Jon Favreau. Marvel Studios' Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce.

The creative production team also includes Oscar nominated director of photography Seamus McGarvey ("Atonement"), production designer James Chinlund ("25th Hour"), Oscar winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne ("Elizabeth: The Golden Age"), Oscar winning visual effects supervisor Janek Sirrs ("Iron Man 2," "The Matrix"), visual effects producer Susan Pickett ("Iron Man," "Iron Man 2"), stunt coordinator R.A. Rondell ("Superman Returns"), and four-time Oscar nominated special effects supervisor Dan Sudick ("Iron Man," "War of the Worlds"). The editors include Oscar nominated Paul Rubell ("Collateral") and Jeffrey Ford ("Crazy Heart").

Marvel Studios most recently produced "Iron Man 2" which was released in theatres on May 7, 2010. The sequel to "Iron Man," starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow as well as Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson and Mickey Rourke, took the number one spot its first weekend with a domestic box office gross of $128.1 million. To date the film has earned over $620 million in worldwide box office receipts.

In the summer of 2008, Marvel produced the summer blockbuster movies, "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk."  "Iron Man," in which Robert Downey, Jr. originally dons the super hero's powerful armor alongside co-stars Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow, was released May 2, 2008 and was an immediate box office success. Garnering the number one position for two weeks in a row, the film brought in over $100 million its opening weekend and grossed over $571 million worldwide. On June 13, 2008, Marvel released "The Incredible Hulk" marking its second number one opener of that summer. The spectacular revival of the iconic green goliath grossed over $250 million in worldwide box office receipts.

Read more: The Avengers Start of Production Press Release & First Photo! - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76864#ixzz1KdiZPe49

[Rico]

With Joss on board as writer and director, this is a can't miss in my view!  Exciting stuff!!!

[WillEagle]

Sounds Awesome!!!! And it sounds like they will be fighting Loki and not the Hulk. I hope thats the way it plays out. I like the Hulk as a misunderstood good guy.

[ElfManDan]

I think we can trust with Joss writing and directing we have nothing to worry about when it comes to this being awesome.

[Rico]

Little teaser....

The Avengers Trailer

[WillEagle]

Cool! Gave me goosebumbs listening to it.

[Rico]

Merchandising poster for the movie....

[Bryancd]

I assume RD is not in this as Ironman?

[Rico]

I assume RD is not in this as Ironman?

He sure is.  All of them are back (except Ed Norton as Banner/Hulk - Mark Ruffalo is taking his place).  Cast pic!