The Avengers (2012)

• Add

Overview

Based on the Marvel Comics team of the same name, The film will be directed by Joss Whedon and stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo ,Jeremy Renner, and Scarlett Johansson as The Avengers.

Synopsis

Loki emerges from his exile and attempts to takeover Earth. SHIELD director Nick Fury gathers Earth's mightiest heroes to stop it.

Creation

Marvel Studios began work on developing The Avengers in 2005 and announced after the release of Iron Man in 2008 that the film was due for a July 2011 release. After Scarlett Johansson was casted as Black Widow in March 2009, the film was pushed back for a 2012 release. The creator of Buffy, The Vampire Slayer Jos Whedon was brought on board to direct the project in April 2010 and rewrote the original screenplay by writer Zak Penn of 2008's The Incredible Hulk

Production

Pre-Production

Joss Whedon's involvement in the film was confirmed by Stan Lee and Avi Arad at the 2010 Wizard World Convention. Up until that point, his involvement in the project was just speculation. In June, Jeremy Renner was announced as having been cast Clint Barton/Hawkeye. In July Marvel announced they declined to have Edward Norton reprise his role as Bruce Banner for the film due to. The following day Marvel President Kevin Feige told fans "We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks." Soon after, Norton's agent Brian Swardstrom criticized Feige's statement "purposefully misleading" and "inappropriate attempt to paint out client in a negative light". Marvel's decision not only drew ire from Norton's agent but from fans as well because Norton was the most popular actor to have played Bruce Banner.

During San Diego Comic Con 2010, Joss Whedon announced he would in fact be directing the film and mentioned that he was a fan of the early Avengers comics which he grew up with. He also confirmed that Jeremy Renner would in fact be playing Hawkeye. It was also reported during Comic Con that Mark Ruffalo was cast as Bruce Banner. During The Marvel Studios Panel it was also announced that Clark Gregg would be returning as SHIELD Agent Phil Coulson. In October 2010, the film was announced to be shooting at a studio in Bethpage, New York and at a studio in Brooklyn, NY. In December, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Marvel Studios Co-President Louis D'Esposito announced that the film would be partially shooting in Albuquerque. In February 2011, reports surfaced that Marvel was screen testing actress' for the role of Nick Fury's sidekick. Four days later, it was confirmed that Cobie Smulders would be playing SHIELD Agent Maria Hill. In March 2011, Stellan Skarsgard confirmed he would be reprising his role from Thor as Dr. Eric Selvig. Also that month, the Governor of Ohio- John Kasich announced that The Avengers would also be filming in Cleveland.

Marketing

The first piece of marketing for the film was unveiled at San Diego Comic Con in 2010 where a teaser trailer was shown. However for Comic Con in 2011, Marvel opted not to hold a panel because the film was still in production at the time. However Marvel did hold a panel at the New York Comic Con in October 2011. An official trailer for the film was released on October 11, 2011 and a TV Spot was aired during the Super Bowl in February 2012 which Disney allegedly paid $4 million for.

Two TV spots- a Domestic US version and an international version (both featuring the same footage) were released on March 30, 2012.

LEGO sets were also manufactured and were unveiled at the New York City in February 2012. Four sets were shown at the Fair-Captain America’s Avenging Cycle, Loki’s Cosmic Cube Escape, Quinjet Arial Battle, and Hulk’s Helicarrier Breakout. Toy manufacturer Hasbro also made numerous action 3.75 inch figures, playsets, Thor's Hammer, Captain America shields, Hawkeye's bow, Hulk gloves, Iron Man's mask, Captain America's mask, and Thor's helmet.

A video game was planned to be developed by THQ Studios Australia but was ultimately canceled while the game was in development.

Tribecca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival, meant to promote indie work in order to rebuild a community shattered by 9/11, oddly chose to close their festival with an early screening of The Avengers.

Critical Reception

The Avengers received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it scored an incredible 93% (which easily guaranteed it Fresh status). On Metacritic it scored a 69, which is labeled as Green and "Generally Positive." This score indicated that though most critics liked the film, most of them didn't love it. Of the Metacritic scores, 32 were positive, 10 were mixed, and only 1 (Chicago Reader's Ben Sachs's) was negative.

Box Office

The Avengers was always predicted to be a hit, but it did better than anyone predicted. The movie opened in the US to $200 million for the weekend, which was the highest opening ever by over $30 million! It did just as well overseas and within ten days made over $400 million. This meant that in less than two weeks it had made over $600 million, outgrossing the year's previous highest grosser, The Hunger Games, which had been out for a month and a half!

Jackson Twitter War

Samuel L Jackson

A.O. Scott

While most reviews of The Avengers were positive, A.O. Scott of the New York Times (who had also been a regular on At the Movies) gave it a poor review, saying "its failures are significant and dispiriting." Scott also wrote that the Nick Fury character was "more master of ceremonies than mission commander."

Samuel L. Jackson, who played Nick Fury in The Avengers, tweeted “#Avengers fans, NY Times critic AO Scott needs a new job! Let’s help him find one! One he can ACTUALLY do!” Many people supported this statement, but some people were angry at his reaction to negative reviews. Jackson argued (on Twitter) that The Avengers box office success was proof it was good, and then said “That is My Opinion! & what’s irrational about it? They aren’t going to fire his (Scott's) jaundiced ass & You & I Know It!”

The New Yorker's music writer wrote to Scott on Twitter “His (Jackson's) call for you to lose your job only supports your point about ‘glowering authoritarianism’ in pop culture. Well said!” Scott responded “Thanks @alexrossmusicand yet I have to say I feel more flattered than threatened. which may prove the point a different way.”