After the Iron Man 2 panel at Comic Con ‘09 that apparently blew every mind in the room multiple times over, io9 was able to grab producer Kevin Feige and ask him some questions about upcoming Marvel projects, including how they’re attempting to make sure all cast actors work well together, and who we’ll see in the superhero mega-movie: The Avengers.
When it comes to movies like Captain America and Thor, not only will they be testing actors along with pre-exisiting stars like Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr., they’ve already started doing this. Recently-cast Chris Hemsworth, who will be picking up one large hammer as Thor, has already met with Downey Jr., who has also met with a few potential Captain America candidates. This is of course all a very smart method of ensuring that all of the actors that will be returning to their roles for The Avengers have a strong on-screen chemistry.
As for The Avengers itself, Feige let us know who we will likely see when the movie is released on May 4, 2012.
I think we know. I think it’s going to be Iron Man and Thor, Captain America and Nick Fury. I think it’s safe to assume that there will be some members of the Hulk universe in the film as well. In terms of the additional I think Black Widow, sure. The SHIELD organization for sure. What’s exciting, for me, about The Avengers movie is seeing those four characters interact with each other. I think anywhere from the first issues of The Avengers to Civil War the dynamic between Steve Rogers and Tony Stark is just awesome, it’s fascinating. It brings out sides in others that won’t be brought out in the other franchises. Going forward with the mix is a whole other thing, I think it will be cool. So to pile on another 15 or 10, frankly more than four would be too many.
Notably absent from the list was the Hulk. When asked about this, Feige explained that screenwriter Zak Penn was still outlining the script and that the Hulk’s involvement was still yet-to-be-seen, which seemed a little odd. He sounded fairly sure in who they wanted in the movie, so I’m not sure if they don’t feel like dealing with the Hulk, or if they really are still figuring it out. Either way, it seems off — I’m no comic fanatic, but last time I checked, Mr. Hulk was a pretty integral element on the Avengers’ team, no?
Why would they of wasted time paying Downey to play Stark in The Incredible Hulk if the Hulk wasn’t in? Stark was pursuing Ross because he knew how to find Banner. I didn’t know it was still a question.
I think the actual first “mission” the Avengers were assembled for was a Hulk rampage (I believe Loki was the mastermind behind it).
But I think they may be doing all that “Ultimate” crap so who knows what origins they are going to use.
I’s bet the hedging on the Hulk has to do with Banner, not the Hulk. Norton is the issue. The Hulk himself is CGI. I don’t have my Avengers #1 handy but Banner might not even be in it. As far as Ultimates go, other than maybe some tinkering with Cap and the casting of Jackson as Fury (instead of, say Kris Kriistofferson or Tommy Lee Jones of 20 years ago.) it seems the overarching theme here is Military Super Soldier stuff. And that’s a good thing. I’m betting Josh Harnett or Paul Walker for Cap…unless they go with a complete unknown.
Speaking of Kristofferson:Alas, he’s too old now. But it would be cool if Whistler showed up as a scientist in the lab or Dr. Erskine and old Man Stark. His work with Blade had to be based on some previous bio work somewhere. Whistler probably had a little of the Mathuzalah formula that Fury used coursing through his own blood. Likely synthesized from the blood of a soldier named Logan, collected back in back in his US soldier days. I’m just saying…