As a young boy I collected Marvel Comics, saving my scant resources to buy the latest issues of “Iron Man,” “The Fantastic Four,” “Captain America” and, of course, “The Avengers.”
If one superhero was great, a gaggle was … well, super. But I grew up in an era where the only superheroes on any screen were a lame “Spider-Man” TV series and “The Incredible Hulk” featuring a green behemoth with 1/100 of the real Hulk’s raw power.
There was hope, though. My comics kept teasing me that a “Silver Surfer” movie was in the works.
The Surfer wasn’t my favorite character. He wasn’t in my top 20, frankly. But the thought of seeing him immortalized on the big screen captured my imagination like few film projects could.
But the movie never came to be.
Flash forward to April 26, 2011, and this lands in my email in box:
Production has commenced today in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Marvel Studios’ highly anticipated movie “Marvel’s The Avengers,” directed by Joss Whedon (“Serenity”) from a screenplay by Whedon. The film will continue principal photography in Cleveland, Ohio and New York City. Robert Downey Jr. (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) returns as the iconic Tony Stark/Iron Man along with Chris Hemsworth (“Thor”) as Thor, Chris Evans (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) as Captain America, Jeremy Renner (“Thor,” “The Hurt Locker”) as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are Alright”) as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson (“Iron Man 2”) as Black Widow, Clark Gregg (“Iron Man,” “Thor”) as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson (“Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2”) as Nick Fury. Set for release in the US on May 4, 2012, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney, which acquired Marvel in 2009.
Yes, it’s hardly news that an “Avengers” film is on the way. But reading that press release made it feel real. It’s actually happening, and given the talent on board it actually could be good.
The spindly kid still lurking inside me simply cannot wait for May 4, 2012.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Here, here to that!
May 4, 2012 is going to be a glorious day.
Hawkeye, my fave smart-ass this side of Hank McCoy. Speaking of those two, chop-chop on either a West Coast Avengers spin-off or cross-over with Avenger and X-Men The Beast, please, Marvel/Disney.
CT, thanks for unleashing my late 70s/early 80s comic geek. In the words of Sammy, I mean that.
In the meantime, hardcore film buffs and comic book lovers alike can mutually enjoy this, and agree that it is awesome:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fCTokuOU_E