Samuel L. Jackson announces 'Avengers' cast

[Newsbot]

SAN DIEGO – Comic book fans no longer have to imagine what it might be like to see all their favorite superheroes in one place.

They got the chance Saturday at Comic-Con, when the cast of the forthcoming "Avengers" film took the stage. Samuel L. Jackson surprised some 6,000 fans gathered for a Marvel Studios presentation when he stepped out just as it was ending and started introducing the cast of "The Avengers."

Jackson brought out stars Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johannson, Chris Hemsworth of "Thor" and Chris Evans of "Captain America."

He then introduced another surprise guest, Robert Downey Jr., who brought out the rest of the all-star cast, including Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner.

"The Avengers" is based on the comic book series of the same name, which brings various Marvel superheroes together. The film is due in 2012.

[vynsane]

really? another bruce banner? already?

[Diabolical]

Yeah, they replaced Edward Norton with a dickish way.

I'll post links to the whole story later, but basically producer Kevin Feige released a statement basically saying Norton was hard to work with so he's gone and we're going with someone that'll play nice.

Norton's agent responded saying that until recently Norton had been meeting with Joss Whedon and things were going great, or at least they thought they were.

[vynsane]

Yeah, they replaced Edward Norton with a dickish way.

I'll post links to the whole story later, but basically producer Kevin Feige released a statement basically saying Norton was hard to work with so he's gone and we're going with someone that'll play nice.

Norton's agent responded saying that until recently Norton had been meeting with Joss Whedon and things were going great, or at least they thought they were.

sounds a lot like the terrence howard/don cheadle debacle over iron man 2... puts that whole thing in a new light.

[Diabolical]

Edward Norton’s Agent Says Marvel’s Statement About Hulk Recasting is “Misleading, Inappropriate”

Edward Norton Releases Statement About Marvel’s Casting Decisions for The Avengers

[Senor JabbaJohnL]

So now I really don't feel a need to see the 2008 Hulk movie. Was it any good?

[anarky]

I've got to admit, despite my initial aversion (mostly due to Avi Arad being a douchefucker when referring to Ang Lee's movie), what I've seen is pretty good. Not great, definitely not as good as the Lee version, but pretty good. The acting is superb.

[Diabolical]

For the most part, I liked The Incredible Hulk, but I still also prefer Ang Lee's Hulk (and Bana's Bruce Banner).

And even though Marvel claimed The Incredible Hulk was a reboot, it can still act as a sequel to Hulk, IMO.
Minor Spoilers ahead...
They gloss over Hulk's (slightly altered) origin in the opening credits and start the film in South America, the same region of the world where Hulk ended.

Despite Norton has being replaced, The Incredible Hulk is still part of this Avengers Universe, held together by a cameo from another actor (spoiled in the trailers) and there is a mention of the Super Soldier project in WWII.


Also, I can't help but wonder if some of the other characters from these movies (like Liv Tyler, William Hurt, Gweneth Platrow, Natalie Portman, etc.) are slated to appear, even as a cameo, in Avengers.
And what about War Machine? Is he in Avengers?

[vynsane]

I've got to admit, despite my initial aversion (mostly due to Avi Arad being a douchefucker when referring to Ang Lee's movie), what I've seen is pretty good. Not great, definitely not as good as the Lee version, but pretty good. The acting is superb.

so, this is accurate, then?

And what about War Machine? Is he in Avengers?

maybe they'll do a 'west coast avengers' movie...

[Diabolical]

so, this is accurate, then?

Yeah, pretty much.

maybe they'll do a 'west coast avengers' movie...

Then we'd better get a Great Lakes Avengers movie too!

[Rollo Tomassi]

I just want to brag that when the Avengers first Assembled, I was there. As Cartman would say, who wants to fuckin' touch me?

I liked the Incredible Hulk film better. Ang Lee's version seemed like he was going for an artsy-fartsy movie disguised as a comic film (and I still loathe his "comic book page" editing wipes) whereas the 2008 film was just more fun and comic-booky. Whether you enjoy one over the other, I think the 2008 film is definitely worth watching, vyn. Of all the Marvel films to date, its in the Top Ten.

I know Ed Norton has a reputation for being a hardass about stuff he's been in, but from what I've read, it's not because he's a primadonna whiny actor, its because he's really passionate about the projects he works on and wants to put out the best damn film possible. Marvel could stand to have someone as "difficult" as him working on shit like X-Men 3, Ghost Rider, and the Fantastic Four films.

After they announced the Avengers cast, one of the fanboys behind me yelled "Ohmigawd, look at all the big movie stars up on stage! And Mark Ruffalo's up there too!"

Personally I'm stoked Jeremy Renner is going to be Hawkeye. I absolutely loved Hurt Locker.

[anarky]

Looks like the post-credits bit in Captain America is actually a trailer.

It looks really fucking stupid. But only because Hawkeye and Thor are in it. Other than that, it looks awesome.

[jjreason]

I saw a pretty low grade trailer and it wasn't too revealing - having not spoiled myself by reading anything yet I honestly couldn't tell whether or not any of the darker scenes were exciting or not.

[jjreason]

The pic of ScarJo in the Black Widow suit is pretty good boner fuel. I really like the shorter hair.

[Rollo Tomassi]

The pic of ScarJo in the Black Widow suit is pretty good boner fuel. I really like the shorter hair.

So your signature has double meaning. I always thought it referred to Jeff Smith's adorable little cartoon guy. Now I see it also refers to Jeff Smith's adorable little cartoon guy.