Hawkeye and Black Widow seen in costume on The Avengers set

With Marvel Studios delivering relatively faithful adaptations of their key characters, villains, stories and more, evenWi down to the colorful costumes from the comics, we’ve always had a rough idea of what The Avengers would look like together on the silver screen. We were even treated to some beautiful character posters during Comic-Con that provided fans with their first look at the roster of heroes and their new, updated costumes.


Just last week, new artwork for The Avengers movie surfaced online, depicting Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk, fighting alongside SHIELD agents Nick Fury, Black Widow and Hawkeye, adding to that tease, but still now showing the heroes together in live-action, not since Cap (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fought together during a scene shot in Cleveland a few weeks ago. Now, with The Avengers finishing up principal photography, we have our first look at the entire cast together on set, including a few glimpses of Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson’s costumes and weaponry. 


When Jeremy Renner spilled the beans a few years ago that when he went into chat with friend and screenwriter Zak Penn about the role of Captain America, he instead got chatting seriously about the character of Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, it was more of a fanboy desire cool idea than a reality. Little did we know at the time, that everything he said about his character would be coming true, from his introductory cameo appearance in Thor (which didn’t even have a director or cast yet) to the details of Hawkeye’s onscreen costume.


He described the modern Hawkeye SHIELD outfit as being more representative of the Ultimates version of the character, with cool shades to go along with his bow and quiver. Gone are the purple outlandish tights and in is the leather, sleeveless combat vest. After officially nabbing the role and making a surprise appearance at Comic-Con, Renner’s words in interviews further confirmed what we suspected he’d look like and now you can see for yourself. Joining Hawkeye, is partner Black Widow who also supports an upgraded costume from her first appearance in Iron Man 2, this time with a pair of sidearms. 

Much better than the Avengers promotional art which gave us our first look at Renner in costume, right? For those concerned with actors looking like their hand drawn, on-the-page counterparts, you couldn’t find a better match then Renner for Mr. Barton. If he, alongside Johansson’s Black Widow character make a big impression on fans, they along with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) could very well get their own spin-off movie about the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization.


The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgard. It is of course written and directed by Joss Whedon, opening in theaters on May 4, 2012.

The Avengers Roster shown in new artwork and video

Outside of Tom Hiddleston’s villainous Loki returning in The Avengers after his introduction in Thor as the primary villain, Marvel Studios has kept a sealed lid on any official information regarding the other baddies that Earth’s Mightiest Heroes will have to battle against. In fact, we haven’t really seen too much of the principal cast leaked online either.

Along with the button at the end of Captain America: The First Avenger, eager fans were given their first real look at The Avengers roster during Comic-Con when Marvel released character posters for the team, that could fit together, forming a larger image. Today, we have a few more pieces of artwork, depicting the team posing together, fighting together and a little more.


The recent onslaught of set photos and videos of the final weeks of shooting The Avengers in Cleveland may at first, appear to offer plenty, but in reality we only got a good look at two heroes we already knew about with some potential spoilers regarding Loki’s “army” and the vehicles they use. All of the months of production before it gave rise to no spoilers at all so there’s still plenty of surprises left to come… that is, if the leaked images from the cancelled Avengers movie tie-in game didn’t spoil it already. Then again, anyone who’s been paying attention knows who the other villains of Joss Whedon’s film will be anyway.

Today, check out this new video highlighting The Avengers roster and the cast of actors playing them – then follow that with a look at some promo artwork of the Avengers standing together. 
http://www.twitvid.com/8TVHR


The four new images come from Spider Media and all take the form of conceptual and promotional art, but they do provide another detailed look at The Avengers team together in full costume. 

 

When you step back and really think about these images, these actors and the characters they’re playing on the silver screen, it’s hard to fathom that it’s really happening. Marvel has successfully brought to life Iron Man, Captain America and Thor and they’re actually going to join forces to fight the biggest threat we’ve seen in the movies to date. Enjoy it, fans. It’s been a long time coming.


The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgard. It is of course written and directed by Joss Whedon, opening in theaters on May 4, 2012.

Perhaps more than any other comic book character, Superman is a true global icon, which is why every scrap of information from the set of Zack Snyder’s Superman: Man of Steel has been dissected and debated endlessly on the Internet.

Fans have already spent countless hours arguing how Henry Cavill looks as Superman in the first official image from the film, and also in subsequent set images, but these new pictures give us the best look yet at Cavill in costume.

The pictures, which come our way from the Superhero Hype forums (via Think McFly Think), show Cavill rehearsing for a fight scene – featuring a CGI enemy. In addition to giving us a closer look at Superman sans red tights, the set images show off how much Cavill bulked up for the role. 

I still have some questions about the texture of the suit, and of course the missing red tights, but it’s hard to argue that Henry Cavill doesn’t physically look the part of Superman. The guy’s biceps are practically busting out of his spandex. In fact, Cavill looks so buff that I almost wonder whether there’s some musculature built into the design of the suit. Whatever the case, he definitely looks ready to rumble.

Between the film’s familiar premise and its relative proximity to the so-so Superman Returns, there are a lot of people that still have doubts as to whether Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan can successfully reboot this franchise. One of the big things that will convince them is Henry Cavill’s performance as the Man of Steel.

As these pictures show, Cavill certainly looks the part, but how will the actor’s approach to the character be different than any of the other Superman actors that came before him? What will he do to separate himself from Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, and even TV’sTom Welling? Hopefully, the first trailer for Superman: Man of Steel will answer some of these questions. At the very least, it will start a whole new round of discussions. 

Superman: Man of Steel opens in theatres and IMAX on the planned date of June 24, 2013.

Description of Avengers footage from D23

Disney held their third annual D23 event this weekend for the fans, showcasing everything that’s coming up on all of Disney’s fronts, from television and radio, to films and video games. And since The Avengers didn’t make an appearance at Comic-Con this year, as expected, Disney and Marvel brought members from the cast along with sizzle real of footage to D23 instead.

Unlike Comic-Con, Disney was very protective in ensuring their presentations were exclusive to D23 attendees and they would not let cameras, cell phones, laptops or any other such tech/recording equipment into the rooms but we can still certainly describe what was shown for The Avengers.


Before the cast came on stage, The Avengers segment of the presentation was introduced with a video that recapped the series of movies before it, emphasizing the story and characters we’ve met so far and what it’s all been leading up to. It included bits of all the films to date (Iron Man​, The Incredible Hulk​, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger) as well as all the “button” post-credit scenes of the films (teaser trailers/easter eggs). This footage ended with the scene of Nick Fury​ saying to Stark at the end of Iron Man: “I’m here to talk about the Avengers initiative.” This was quite an intro and the audience nearly lost it.

Marvel President of Production, Kevin Feige, then came on stage, explaining that director Joss Whedon is working away on the final two weeks of The Avengers shoot, but that he’s prepared a little something special for the D23 attendees. On comes the new footage the eager audience was waiting for.

Here’s what was shown:

• Loki (Tom Hiddleston​) is trapped in a high tech, glass prison room.
• Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) enters, and uses the panel to communicate to him: “In case it’s unclear, if you try to escape – you even scratch the glass – it’s 30,000 feet straight down.”
• Floor opens, revealing that this is taking place on the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier.
• Loki says the room is “an impressive cage,” mocking that it’s not good enough to hold him.
• Fury quips that the “cage” was built for something much stronger than Loki.
• Loki: “…a mindless beast makes play he’s still a man,” referring to the Hulk.
• Fury accuses Loki of bringing the world to the brink of war: ”You threaten my world with war. Steal a force you can’t control. You have made me desperate.”
• Loki points out that Fury nearly had true power, having the Tesseract (the Cosmic Cube from Captain America​ and in post-credits of Thor), and talks of what SHIELD’s plans are for it, mocking their purpose with using it as a “warm glow for all of mankind.” Loki taunts Fury about being so close to “real power” and says he’ll show him what “real power” is.
• Fury responds in classic Sam L fashion: “Let me know if real power wants a magazine.”
• The Avengers team is in a briefing room, sitting at the table from Captain America post-credits Avengers button with Thor standing in middle of the room – they’re watching Loki on the monitor.
• Bruce Banner​ (Mark Ruffalo): “He really grows on you doesn’t he?”
• Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) is also shown watching the happenings through a monitor of her own.
• Next scene shows Nick Fury explaining S.H.I.E.L.D.’s plan to bring together these heroes to handle the issues too big for the agency.
• Scenes are shown of SHIELD agents around the Helicarrier and we get a few action scenes of our favorite heroes.
• Next scene shows Tony Stark​ (Robert Downey Jr​.) behind a bar, introducing the team: “Let’s do a head count.”
  • Stark lists through The Avengers roster and as he names them, scenes are shown for each character (the Quinjet is also shown flying towards a city).
  • “We’ve got two deadly assassins” – Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner​) are shown on a bridge next to some destruction – Hawkeye shown aiming with his bow.
  • “A demi god” – Thor is shown with angry face, followed by slow motion action scene of him jumping, swinging is mighty Mjolnir hammer at Captain America’s shield.
  • “A legend that actually lives up to the legend” – Captain America (Chris Evans) dodging explosions – Also has a scene standing in front of a closet containing his new modern day costume.
• Stark follows up by saying “and somehow, you managed to piss them all off.”
• Loki is revealed to be the one talking to Stark and he retorts: “I have an army.”
• Stark: “We have a Hulk.”
• The final scene is showing Banner’s leg transforming into Hulk, followed by a close-up of his face while screaming Hulk-style.
• The Avengers logo.

Needless to say, this was very exciting – and intense – footage but it will not be available online for a very long time. It was a pure tease and not revealing of any additional plot details or villains – we actually have learned more from the recent set videos and photos. There sadly was also no news about what comes next on Marvel’s film slate (i.e. Guardians of the Galaxy or Runaways) so we’ll wait until next July for Comic-Con 2012 and hope Marvel holds a panel there.


Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth​, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Cobie Smulders, Tom Hiddleston were then introduced to the stage (above, click to enlarge) with Feige as Downey, being the spokesman and poster boy of sorts for the franchise, took the mic and got the audience excited by asking them if they wanted to watch the footage again… and so The Avengers reel was shown again to everyone’s pleasure.


The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston and Stellan Skarsgard. It is of course written and directed by Joss Whedon, opening in theaters on May 4, 2012.

Captain America and Thor in Battle

What may be two of the biggest and most anticipated superhero movies ever are both hitting theaters everywhere next summer, and they are competing on every possible front. We are of course referring to classic fanboy battle of Marvel vs. DC, or in the case of their upcoming respective films, The Avengers vs. The Dark Knight Rises.
Disney and Warner Bros. both held back when it came to showing off their flagship blockbusters at Comic-Con but there’s no shortage of marketing materials and spoilers coming out of each film’s production anyway, and by that I mean viral marketing, unintentional viral marketing as a result of shooting the films public. Today’s addition to the library of candid unofficial set photos and videos focuses in on a scene of The Avengers featuring Thor and Captain America fighting together in costume.

The Pittsburgh production of The Dark Knight Rises introduced us to Bane and Catwoman in costume along with the film’s iconic vehicles, revealing several key moments and plot points of the film. For The Avengers, we’re learning more about the team’s battle with a mysterious new foe…

Before moving on to the goodies, be forewarned that all of what you’ll see below is entering spoiler territory. You may be familiar with the characters and costumes of Chris Hemsworth​’s Thor and Chris Evans’ Cap, but what’s occurring and who else is involved has only begun to unfold in the public’s eye and some may wish to save the surprise until the official trailer for The Avengers or until the movie debuts next May.

SPOILERS



Captain America​ isn’t feeling too great and it’s self-evident as to why -- Falling through windows onto cars even hurts super soldiers. Now for videos of the first Avenger and the Asgardian Avenger in battle. Here are the links to three Youtube videos that show the Star Spangled Avenger in battle with the Thunder God: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOOFJBHcm3k&feature=player_embedded 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-1dnZhemeY&feature=player_embedded    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQPPxkdNtjk&feature=player_embedded 

Some of the most fun and exciting moments of The Avengers will be when the team forms to fight a common threat together, and this is our first hint of that happening. The best part for me is seeing Evans and Hemsworth laughing and chatting it up in between takes, showing the team dynamic working both on and off the screens. That and Thor bringing hammer time to that sedan. Car, meet Mjolnir.

If you missed the, check out the previous set photos of Chris Evans in his Captain America costume, also fighting stuntmen in mo-cap suits. Those images also reveal one of the enemy’s weapons, hinting that these are likely the long-rumored Skrull or Kree alien forces.

Who do you think The Avengers are fighting and how will they look compared to their designs in Marvel Comics​?

The Avengers stars Robert Downey Jr​., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders​, Clark Gregg, Tom Hiddleston​ and Stellan Skarsgard​. It is of course written and directed by Joss Whedon​, opening in theaters on May 4, 2012.

All New Avengers pictures and videos reveal Captain America costume and plot elements

Thanks to a string of Comic-Con character posters and an all-too-brief teaser “button” at the end of Captain America, we already basically know what The Avengers are going to look like come May 4th, 2012. Basically.
However, if that wasn’t enough, now we have actual pictures of Chris Evans on the set of The Avengers in his entire modern-day Captain America costume – as well as some shots of a strange weapon and explosive (literally) pandemonium.

These on-set shooting details could provide MILD or MEDIUM SPOILERS for The Avengers. If you are attempting to avoid spoilers altogether, please be advised to turn away now – you have been WARNED.

Still here? Here we go…
First, check out the images below, courtesy of Celebrity-Gossip, Coming Soon, and Medical Mutual of Ohio and Its Family Companies:

The mask looks a tad goofier (or maybe that’s just Chris Evans’ smile in that picture) and more stilted than it did in Captain America: The First Avenger. Otherwise the costume looks excellent. The boots, gloves, and underarms are pure Ultimate Captain America​, while the wings on the mask are more First Avenger. Everything else seems like a quality mish-mash of 616, Ultimate, and First Avenger – with a little individualized flavor to boot.

The big question is, what is that alien-looking hardware? It looks like some sort of Men in Black weapon – not like anything we’ve seen in Iron Man​, The Incredible Hulk​, Thor, or Captain America. Do these pictures confirm the rumors that aliens – for example, the Skrull and/or the Kree – are at the heart of The Avengers conflict?

Additionally, there’s a guy covered head-to-toe in motion capture thingys, indicating that the creatures wielding the weapons (?) are going to be made entirely of CGI. Is that because they’re so monstrous and – dare we say it – extraterrestrial that no amount of practical effects can do them justice?
Speaking of extraterrestrials, an extra on the set told Comic Book Movie that an “invasion of aliens or some force” was the cause of the pandemonium in the scenes. Check it out below:

“Today was my first day of work as an extra on the movie [The] Avengers. There was a great deal of sitting around, but it was thrilling during the street scene. We were running and screaming from the invasion of aliens or some force.”

The Daily Mail seems to back up the “aliens are the bad guys” report as well, so those fans who were hoping for an Ultron, Kang the Conquerer​, Thanos, or The Beyonder five-way-battle are probably going be disappointed.

Marvel is banking quite a bit on The Avengers being one of the most awesome and successful superhero movies ever. Despite his fervent supporters, hiring Joss Whedon was a pretty massive risk – the one feature film he directed wasn’t financially successful and the last two TV shows he was involved in were canceled pretty quickly. And while the first of those shows, Firefly, was and is beloved, the second, Dollhouse, was not so much, to say the least.

Still, the man has skills, and if Avengers ends up being the most awesome and successful superhero movie ever – or even just, you know, really awesome – Marvel’s bet will have paid off and then some.

How do you guys think Chris Evans looks in the new Captain America costume? And what’s your opinion of aliens potentially being the bad guys? Let us know in the comments.

The Avengers hits theaters May 4th, 2012.