Avengers… assembled?
i09 interviewed Marvel producer Kevin Feige on the lineup for the upcoming Avengers film, and while things aren’t set in stone yet, Feige was surprisingly firm about who will make the cut:
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.
Now, for those of you who might be freaking out at this announcement — “Where’s Hawkeye?!” was probably the first thought that ran through my head — just wait a second. Feige says that Zak Penn is still writing the outline, so the Hulk may or may not be in the film.
But perhaps most important is the SHIELD connection: in Mark Millar’s Ultimates series, Nick Fury brought in four specially-trained members of the SHIELD Black Ops Division — namely Hawkeye, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver — to the team. And that’s also forgetting to mention that in that entire list, there’s exactly one woman — and where would the Avengers be without the Wasp? In other words — if the first X-Men movie can pack together six main characters, I’m feeling confident that the Avengers can at least match that. What say you, Rama readers?
July 27th, 2009 at 8:25 am
I’d love to see Hawkeye come in somehow, though I’d say they’d have to do some sort of revamp. Black Widow bringing him in after the Cold War sounds a bit dated.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Not very classic, but I’d love to see Luke Cage. He makes everything better.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:06 am
I’m hoping that “member of the Hulk universe” means She-Hulk.
Given that the Incredible Hulk underperformed, I can see them wanting to try a new angle. And Jen can be the “sexy, sassy feminist” of the group.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:12 am
As long as Thor and Iron Man are in the 1st movie, which should be about the team coming together and finding Captain America along the way. If “Hollywood” is planning on following the Ultimates version of the Avengers, then obviously the line-up should consist of Millar’s team. It is very important to establish Hank Pym in the first movie though, because one of the “back” stories in the sequel should be of him creating Ultron, who is the villain in the 3rd installment. The villain of the first movie, of course should be Loki. The “villain” of the 2nd movie should be Kang, who in his time-traveling escapades could trap the Avengers in another reality/timeline where they fight versions of themselves. This could set up an awesome battle between the Ultimates THOR and the red-capped, winged-helmet, original version. THAT would sell tickets and the box office would enjoy numbers rivaling that of Spiderman 3 and dare I say it…The Dark Knight. Planning is key here. Setting the groundwork for a sensible trilogy needs to be taken into great account so that it fulfills executive, fanboys and audience expectations, similar to the way Lord Of The Rings did. The longevity of the franchise depends on it.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:21 am
Even though we’d all love a cast, large or small, of classic Avengers now that we are actually getting a movie that we never dared dream of, I can see the logic behind keeping the team this small for now. Number one: it allows for more time to develop the interaction between the three main heroes, for the audience to focus on those characters (let’s face it, the majority won’t be coming from the Wasp, Hawkeye, etc.. they will be coming for Iron Man, Thor, and Cap). Number two: it frees up screen time to perhaps add to the roster of villains for the Avengers to face. There’s so much talk of the villain being Loki or the Hulk, but why not a group of villains? Why not Red Skull, Loki, and some Iron Man villain together, maybe even the Hulk? or Baron Zemo, the Enchantress, the Executioner, and the Black Knight or Radioactive Man, ala the Masters Of Evil (without calling them that, probably)? And number three (and this is ultimately the biggest reason): it cuts down on the amount of money that needs to be generated to hire actors to play the heroes. They are already gonna spend enough money to have Robert Downey Jr., Sam Jackson, and the two guys who will be playing Thor (I can’t remember his name at the moment) and Cap. So, I think it’s ok to just stick with Iron Man, Thor, Cap, and Nick Fury. And if they can fit Black Widow and Hawkeye in there in smaller roles (which would make sense as a pairing, anyways), all the better.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:03 am
They got the big three, so it’s definitely a start. The inclusion of Ant-Man and Wasp would be good too. But I guess that depends on when THAT movie eventually hits. For Avengers 2, maybe? Nicky Fury and Black Widow can stay away. Otherwise, the remainder of “Cap’s Kooky Quartet” would be good additions.
…as long the Maximoff’s aren’t groping each other or anything.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:18 am
This won’t be AVENGERS if Hulk’s not in it.
And seriously, use this film as a platform to introduce the next Hulk movie: Planet Hulk!
July 27th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
So what was the big surprise here? We already knew basically all this from previous announcements. I’m sure by the time filming actually begins we might have 1 or 2 more members past Cap/Iron Man/Thor. Plus Hulk might still be used as the villain too.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Didn’t Scarlett Johansson say that the Scarlet Witch was one one the characters she was up for? If that’s true, I don’t know why Marvel didn’t could not go for having Scarlett play Scarlett Witch.
I would hope that the first movie will be with Loki as the main villian, using the Hulk as one of his main puppets, with General Ross in there somewhere. Maybe Rick Jones can FINALLY get some respect and be included. The Avengers should be Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Ant Man, and the Wasp. Don’t know why the Black Widow, a non powered female, would even be considered.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I will believe it when I read that the production has started and then I will want to see a trailer. Right now I can see this being another comic book turned into a movie stinker. Not saying that it will be a bomb but that the movie will be so-so. It is going to take the first movie to introduce everything and then you have to wait for the sequels. And by 2012 who knows where the movie industry and marvel comics will be.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Dusty, the Black Widow has been a major Avengers character for many, many years. She made many appearances in the early years of the Avengers (back as far as issue no. 16, I think), and even became the leader of the team. You may or may not already realize this, but I felt it was worth pointing out. I could see someone questioning the use of, say, Tigra or Jocasta, but not the Black Widow, super-powers or not.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Fletcher, the whole point of this article is to say that they only want to include a few heroes so that it will cut back on spending so much time on “introducing everything”, as you said. Plus, they will already have two Iron Man movies, a Thor movie, and a Cap movie behind it. I don’t think it will be as daunting of a task as it seems. Not like WB’s original plan to just jump right into a Justice League movie (and thank God they’ve scrapped that plan).
July 27th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch can’t be in it because Fox owns the movie rights to all Xmen related characters including them. The Antman movie that is on the slate is not Marvel films and therefore they are in the same boat with Hank Pym and the Wasp. Marvel cannot legally use them in the film. So its either gonna be SheHulk or Black Widow for female team members.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I have no problem with a small lineup. I could see six members since that was one of the old rules back in the day. Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Black Widow are a good start though.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I’d personally love to see the first movie focus on just The Big Three. If Fury’s there to bring it all together or provide a reason for the group to exist, I’m OK with that. At some point in a film version of The Avengers, you do have to wonder what they’re doing with an archer (??) as a member, when they have a thunder god, a super-soldier/master strategist and a one-man tank. Adding Hulk to that mix makes some sense (and adds even more muscle) as well as providing even more internal conflict. Even Quicksilver is a better addition than Hawkeye (sorry Clint Barton-lovers… don’t hate me!), because having a speedster on the team is never a bad idea.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I’m okay with a small lineup but I would like it to be the original Avengers for the first movie.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
If Cap is the heart of the Avengers, and Iron Man the brains, the Hawkeye is the balls. And needs to be in the movie.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Actually Marvel Studios IS handling Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man. So The Ant-Man and Wasp characters aren’t in any legal bind at all.
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=44654
http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/article.php?Article=789
July 27th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Loki and Ultron should be the villains, with Loki messing with Pym’s programming and turning Ultron “evil.” That way, you get two classic Avengers villains and a chance for the Avengers to cut loose on a bunch of robots, just absolute crazy fight sequences.
July 27th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
This is a little disappointing to hear but I know things will probably change by then. I know it’s a worry that too many characters won’t allow for development but I was hoping that the Avengers could introduce some characters to feature more prominently in later Avengers movies (if those happen). I was thinking Hawkeye, Ant-Man, and Wasp are really iconic Avengers that would be nice to see in the first movie. Maybe even Vision, with Hank building him or something like that.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
As long as the Avengers movie gets Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye, then I will be happy. Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch & Hank Pym can wait for the second movie.
July 27th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Ironman, Thor, Capt A and Fury? So far its sounding very similar to another shitty Marvel movie. Last I heard, there were more than 4 members in the Avengers. Hopefully they’ll bring at least another two to the roster, Hawkeye and Wanda preferably
July 27th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
The Original Five and Cap. Assemble!
July 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I’d like them to add Hawkeye to that list. He could easily be a fan-favorite in the movie and a great foil to Cap. I hope Hulk does make an appearance, probably as a game-changer like the end of Ultimates Vol. 1.
If there are any more, Wasp and Giant Man are probably necessary. I think it’s best not to include Quicksilver or Scarlet Witch just yet, maybe wait for the second movie (i hope i hope i hope). I also wouldn’t mind Luke Cage (sorry purists).
July 27th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I think less is more for the first film, heck, maybe even the first trilogy. Four well-developed characters are worth waaaaay more than a slew of shallow ones. Marvel would be smart to keep the Avengers lean and mean, or else you run the risk of producing the next “Batman and Robin”
July 27th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
No Hulk?
Not so sure now…
July 27th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Ed Norton, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansen, and Samuel L Jackson (plus whoever plays Cap) might make it too expensive for other heroes.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Add Hulk (influenced by the Leader or Loki. Or Both) who turns halfway through, and a little Hawkeye action, and we are ready to rock.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
What is the problem with including Ant-Man and Wasp in the Avengers movie and then making the Ant-Man movie be set afterwards? There are two Ant-Man’s to choose from, or just call Hank Pym Giantman in the Avengers movie until the very end and then segue that into the Ant-Man movie. You don’t even need to credit me for that idea… just do it and I’ll be happy.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
One thing to consider with the Scarlet Witch / Quicksilver is that as mutants and children of Magneto their film rights may be owned by Fox who owns the X-Men property for the time being. Wolverine, for example, wouldn’t be making an appearance without some legal (and cash money) wrangling between Marvel Studios and Fox so it’s possible that the twins can’t either.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
why does marvel keep hiring zak penn to pen these things…
he sucks…
how many movies does he have to stink up before people stop giving him jobs…
let’s take a look at his terrible resume:
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
Fantastic Four (2005)
Elektra (2005)
X2 (2003)
pretty much all turds…
how does this guy have a job?
July 27th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Why do they make these movies more difficult then they need be.
Have it THOR, CAP, IRONMAN, GIANT MAN, WASP with HULK as a side bar controled by LOKI. Just like issue # 1.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Whatever the line, I only have one major request…. NO SKRULLS!
It’s a fine line on what the public will like and accept and using green aliens from outer space would cross that line. 6′ 5″ “gods” featuring superpowers is one thing but for some reason, aliens carries a massive negative stereotype. People are crazy for Iron Man because there’s an aura of plausibility that goes with its wonder. You don’t lose that with a Norse god or a super soldier but you do when you inject green aliens from outer space. The Ultimates story straight up won’t work and the goofy amalgam from the Ultimate Avengers animated movie won’t work either. I seriously hope Marvel has something grander and more reality based up their sleeve.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
About what I figured, although I really hoped Hawkeye would be in this film. The main female I would like to see is Ms. Marvel, but it would make more sense to have the Black Widow in the first one.
July 27th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
You have to have Pym and Wasp. They probably wont be able to stand on their own but they would make fantastic supporting cast members. The character of Ant-Man is such a staple to the franchise and the Wasp is such a strong female character and the relationships between those two characters creates so much conflict for the team. The idea of leaving out those two almost makes me not want to support the film. If you screw with the actual comic too much you get a crappy movie. *Cough* Catwoman,Steel,Elektra,Daredevil,Spider-man 3, X-Men 3,Fantastic Four 2, Hulk, Supergirl, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Batman & Robin *Cough*
July 28th, 2009 at 5:52 am
I think the fans are being told just enough to get them talking. Everything that was said we could have guessed anyway. Its marketing.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hulk needs to be in there.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:18 am
A small roster makes sense, we are dealing with three big characters who have each had a major Hollywood release prior to the Avengers. Each character will be scrambling for extra screen time. The X-Men is not a fair comparison since the film was about Wolverine and while the other X-Men added some clout to the story, some nice fight scenes and moved the plot along they were not the driving protaganists. By the time Avengers comes along Downey Jnrs Iron Man will be very well established (given 2 movies plus a cameo in the Hulk), Thor and Cap will have had a movie each and essentially look upon the Avengers as a sequel. I’m all for one or two other characters, Black Widow is probably a safe bet given her role in Iron Man 2. Maybe Hawkeye (since they were originally in the Ultimates the only 2 black-ops members until the twins showed up). So yeah, we’ll wait and see, but I think it’s a cautious but wise move.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I never get tired of seeing that beautiful Alan Davis art.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:11 am
@mekmek
Yes, let’s take a look at those with the help of Boxofficemojo.com, shall we?
The Incredible Hulk (2008)Budget: $150 mil
Domestic: $134,806,913
+ Foreign: $128,620,638
= Worldwide: $263,427,551
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Budget: $210 mil
Domestic: $234,362,462
+ Foreign: $224,997,093
= Worldwide: $459,359,555
Fantastic Four (2005) Budget: $100 Mil
Domestic: $154,696,080
+ Foreign: $175,883,639
= Worldwide: $330,579,719
Elektra (2005) Budget: $43 Mil
Domestic: $24,409,722
+ Foreign: $32,271,844
= Worldwide: $56,681,566
X2 (2003) Budget: $110 mil
Domestic: $214,949,694
+ Foreign: $192,761,855
= Worldwide: $407,711,549
So, Incredible Hulk and Elektra were under-performers, failing to make up their budget in Domestic alone. However, the other 3 made a combined $182 mil profit in Domestic release alone. I’ll give you Elektra, but I thought Incredible Hulk was a good, fun movie.
So I guess I’m saying, I fail to see your point. Would you fire a baseball player with a batting average of .667?
July 28th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Keep it simple. Thor, Hulk, Captain America, and Iron Man are enough for a first movie. It would be great if they could include Hank and Jan Pym as supporting characters and give them more to do in sequels, though.
July 28th, 2009 at 9:44 am
cant believe no one has mentioned the vision. you could set up hank pym as a background shield scientist guy, who makes ultron. ultron programs vision to attack avengers, vision does his human/robot internal battle thing, they find out ultron was behind it, he joins avengers in final battle against ultron.
or maybe hank pym should just be a villain?
July 28th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Every fan has their favourite Avenger they would like to see onscreen. There is NO WAY Marvel is going to please everyone with their line up.
I agree with the poster above. Keep it simple. Thor, Hulk, Cap, Iron Man with Black Widow and introduce Hank and Jan as SHIELD scientists working on special superhuman development projects who later join the Avengers.
Have Hank and Jan develop ‘Pym Particles’ and join the Avengers. If Fox has the rights to all things mutant, Marvel may not be able to say Wasp is a mutant…
July 28th, 2009 at 11:20 am
i think the movie should have hulk, iron man , wasp, giant man,Thor,captain America and that’s it black widow and nick fury can be supporting characters but not in the team its should be original i think i speak for all of the avengers fans out there when i say the movie wouldn’t feel write with out wasp and giant man they can have quick silver and scarlet witch in a sequel with hawk eye if they gonna do movie do right
July 28th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I”d love to see The Hulk be the “villain” of this film.
I’m just sayin’.
July 28th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I think in the context of the previous Marvel films, having the Big Three combat the Hulk makes the most sense. I’d be perfectly fine with just those four and Nick Fury. Don’t want to over-do it, plus, as someone mentioned earlier, paying for all of this big name actors would probably break the bank.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
I just want to see Thor. That’s it.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Personally, I’d love for the cast of the “first” movie to just be Cap, Iron Man and Thor. Very lean, very manageable. We’d get a lot more well-scripted, well-dialogued interaction between the characters. Fury and Black Widow make up your supporting cast, with references made to (Gi)Ant-Man, Wonder Man, Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Vision, etc. These characters eventually become the Avengers, allowing the Avengers film franchise to produce while the “Big Three” are off in their own franchises; Avengers 2 can be filming without Robert Downey, Jr. while he’s off filming Iron Man 3 or Sherlock Holmes 2.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Thor, Iron Man, Cap, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Wasp and Hulk, please.
It’s not necessarily a tall order if you just introduce Clint Barton and Janet Pym (and Hank, then spin off into his own film helmed by Edgar Wright?) in the actual movie, in connection with SHIELD. Evryone else is in one of the precursor movies.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I feel that the WASP and Hulk will be in the movie, and maybe one more. They need a woman in there and I just feel that the Hulk will also be in there. They can get away with having five or six heroes.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I’m sorry but there is no reason they can’t at least throw Hawkeye and Widow/Wasp in there. First off they need a female hero or it will be a joke(a sausage feast in Avengers Mansion? no thx). Second they need to take this oppurtinity to push other 2nd grade Avenger characters so they’ll have the chance to do a solo movie about them afterward. I love Nick Fury but he’s not an Avenger… period. I think they need at least 4 members besides the Big 3 but i’d be happy with Hawkeye and a female. I mean the X-men franchise isen’t using Quicksilver or Scalet Witch anyway. Hank Pym has an easy to explain power. They can focus on the big guys while still having back-up members. I’m absolutley shocked that they’re prepared to go through this movie with no females in the Avengers. I’m a man myself but comeon. Girls who like comics and were looking forward to this should be PO’ed. I also love how some of you are claiming that they need a smaller roster so the big characters get more screen time. This isen’t X-Men 1… by the time this movie comes out Thor and Cap will have a movie each and Iron Man will have 2 movies out! Their personalities and powers will be well set in stone…the audience will know who they are(I really doubt someone would pass on all 4 of those movies then go “Oh crap! an Avenger movie? Gotta go see that!”). I understand they need to be the focus of the movie as they should be but you can’t tell me they don’t have enough sceen time to add at least 2 more heroes. That’s why I like Hawkeye as one of um. He’s simple…a hard-headed smart-a** playboy who’s a great archer. Widow’s power should be explained in IM2 and if they use Wasp her power is pretty self explaintory as well. On top of that they can set up Hank Pym as a scientist to be Giant Man if there is a Avengers 2(I also like the idea of a half finished Vision in the corner of his lab). Set Carol Danvers up as a SHIELD agent so she can get her own Ms. Marvel movie or be in the next Avengers one. I for one will be SUPER dissapointed in this movie if the line-up is Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, and Nick Fury. That’s not the Avengers sorry. They should just call it Marvel’s Trinity(how stupid would a Justice League movie be with just Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Amanda Waller???). Marvel if you guys don’t add at least a female and another male hero to serve as supporting characters this movie will be an Epic Fail.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I think a mutant would be a great idea. It would be an easy way to bridge the Avengers world & the X-Men’s world w/o having to deal with the legal crap. I’m down for Quicksilver(but do his rights belong to FOX or Marvel?)
July 29th, 2009 at 6:22 am
mekmek is right.
Zak Penn has a terrible track record. It doesn’t matter what the Avengers line-up is. If this guy is writing it, it will suck. Specifically, he’s only credited for the “screenplay” or “writer” for:
Incredible Hulk
X-Men: The Last Stand
Elektra
He has a “story” credit in IMDB for X2 (the only critically and financially successful comic movie that he’s been attached to), which was based on a Chris Claremont comic story for the most part anyway, so who knows what kind of input he had there.
And say what you will about Incredible Hulk, but the script is nowhere near the quality that a Marvel movie deserves (see: Iron Man). I personally prefer the Ang Lee Hulk: while it still sucked, it was a hell of a lot more ambitious than the generic actioner we got last year.
July 29th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Also, he wasn’t the writer for the Fantastic Four movie, but rather the video game.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:29 am
haha. you’re right, Dave! I didn’t bother checking that, just responded to mekmek. My bad on the FF thing.
I still disagree personally on Incredible Hulk. I think it was way underrated, but we can agree to disagree on that one.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:40 am
The big three are a no brainer. Fury will be in the background running the show and getting the team ready. As for who else will round out the team, I’ve got my picks of Black Widow, Wasp, and She Hulk. Have the Avengers face off against the Hulk and the main villain running the show… The Leader.
There was so much left on the table after The Incredible Hulk movie (Stern’s hinted transformation, the blood samples, General Ross’s discussion with Tony Stark), it would be a total waste if any of this was used. Since no word has been made on a future Hulk sequel, why not carry over some of those threads into the Avengers. Plus I feel bringing in villains like the Skrulls, Ultron or the Masters of Evil as way too soon for the first film. Best to save that for round two.
Mr. Q
July 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I always thought they were gonna try to go for the same line-up they used in the Ultimate Avengers animated movies…Cap, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Giant Man, Wasp, and Nick Fury. I could understand leaving out Hank and Janet, if there’s some conflict with Edgar Wright’s Ant-Man film.
If that’s the case, having the movie be Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, and Nick Fury with them going after Hulk would be pretty cool. Or as someone else stated, they bring in a different villain and have She-Hulk, I would be for that. I would at least appreciate a Clint Barton/Hawkeye mention, cameo, hint at a new member for a sequel, etc.
July 29th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Knowing Zak Penn, he’ll probably try to overreach and cram as many superfluous references to Avengers continuity as he can. Hank, Jan, Vision, Ultron, maybe even Kang in some kind of disguise (ala Brainiac in Smallville). That’s been his hallmark in the 3 films he’s personally handled.
But, consider all the money that will be needed for this movie:
-Robert Downey Jr.
-Gwyneth Paltrow
-the guy playing Cap
-the guy playing Thor
-Scarlett Johannson
-Sam Jackson (mmm-mmm bitch!)
-Cap’s love interest
-Thor’s love interest (I forget but she’s famous)
-the guy who’ll play Hulk (cause I’m betting it won’t be Norton)
That’s enough to make any movie studio’s pocketbook sag, much less the fledgling Marvel Studios. I’m betting Cheadle won’t be in the film for that very reason.
Plus, consider Incredible Hulk. I know people thought it was simple, but I really liked it. I’m sure it was the superior acting that pulled it thru. Penn wrote that and it was fine, because he didn’t overreach. I’m betting Marvel Studios is telling him to keep it simple due to pocketbook constraints.
As for the roster proper, I think it’s smart to keep it focused on the big 3, plus Fury. Keep it simple, stupid.
Black Widow is a must for a female lead tho. Reading Johannson’s comments, she’s seems like she’s really into it. She’s one of the only cast members I’ve heard who’s gone back and read the comics to study her part. Widow is one of Marvel’s premier heroines (probably only following those X-girls) and is a good fit for what Marvel’s doing here.
I love Jan, but even back in the 70s when Widow was introduced to the team, it was obvious that the writers knew she had more potential than Ant-Man’s girlfriend (just sayin!)
I think if Marvel’s smart, they’ll put in cameos or even supporting roles for Hank and Jan, thereby supporting Ant-Man’s feature film.
As for the Hulk, he’ll most likely be the villain. Marvel figured out a long time ago that “Heroes v. Heroes” = “Money”. That’s why Feige didn’t put Hulk on the team proper. He’s gonna be the villain. And, most likely, Hulk will NOT be played by Norton. It’d cost too much and Norton already pissed off Marvel Studios by not hyping the last Hulk film.
I don’t know why people are so bummed Clint won’t be there. It took forever for him to even join the Ultimates. I love Clint, but that’s what sequels are for, baby! He’ll probably be more like Ultimate Clint, played by Ryan Reynolds anyway. LOL
July 30th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Kevin Feige is completely going to regret replace Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2. Unbelievably outrageous decision to make. Will NOT be the same.
July 31st, 2009 at 6:09 am
Mark D. White, I agree with your comment about Alan Davis’ art. I’m a longtime fan of his style and work. The day I get my comic aspirations funded, he’s one of the artist in my top 3 wish list. He never disappoints.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:57 am
it should be the big 4, including the Hulk, + Nick Fury & Black Widow. everyone seems to be forgettin’ that ed norton’s banner seemingly was able to control his hulking out at the end of his Hulk movie, when he smiles as his eyes turning green, after doing his breathing exercise, at the end. also, downey’s appearance supposed to indicate his consideration of recruiting the emerald giant into his “team”. so, other than the big 3, Hulk should definitely be included.
and since black widow’s already gonna be introduced in iron man 2, she should automatically be in the movie, if not as a part of the group, then as fury’s right-hand woman. with hawkeye, he don’t got no real super powers, so, budgetwise, he’s not a problem.
hank pym and jan, on the other hand, are needed for their “human” sub-plots to amp up the story, as a whole. so…yeah, they’re also needed. though, i don’t mind it, if they’d come along in the sequel. i agree the first movie should focus on the interaction between, thor, tony, steve, nick & bruce banner.
August 7th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Sorry Black Widow fans. I’ve read every issue of Avengers and truth to tell, she hasn’t ever been that pivotal to the team. She was around in the early days but didn’t join until 112. She didn’t have a long run until much later but even then she mostly monitored and helped strategically. She was a co-leader but did very little in any actual battles. It wasn’t until Bendis’ recent Mighty Avengers that she has served as very useful at all. Recently, she seems to have become percieved as a major Avenger but as far as the women go, for length of actual runs or for useful contributions, she is greatly behind Scarlet Witch, Wasp, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Tigra, Photon, or even Firestar, Crysal, and Sersi. Why have people suddenly become so fascinated with this powerless, boring character?
March 13th, 2010 at 12:51 am
Will it work on any type of scar or simply stretch marks?