Normally, it would be pretty ridiculous to be excited about a film not due out until 2011. A film that doesn’t have a cast. A film that doesn’t even have a director. But after the incredible success of Iron Man, the reboot of The Incredible Hulk, and the promise of more interwoven superhero movies to come, Marvel plans on keeping us coming back to theaters like Captain America’s shield after braining half a dozen bad guys.
Luckily, since it’s still early on in the process, we’d like to publicly announce a few things we’d like to see included in Zak Penn’s script for The Avengers.
The Prologue
And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth’s mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born — to fight the foes no single super hero could withstand! Through the years, their roster has prospered, changing many times, but their glory has never been denied! Heed the call, then — for now, the Avengers Assemble!
It’s probably the easiest thing to include, but just like the scrolling texts of a galaxy far, far away make it feel like Star Wars, the famous prologue would instantly set the tone of the film as pure Avengers. Set us up with each character in their own films and then let them Assemble!
The Hulk Quitting
We could hope for the Big Green Menace destroying an entire city block, but we’d settle for a set of railroad tracks. Either way, Bruce Banner needs to unite with the team only to realize the others are wary of him for good reason – further plunging him into solitude. It could set the stage for Hulk as the ultimate enemy and would definitely set the stage for Captain America to join the team and get honorary founding member status.
A Cameo by Quicksilver…and Magneto
It’s unlikely that Quicksilver would be the main villain or that he, Scarlet Witch or Hawkeye would be invited to join the team, but a cameo would be awesome. There are a ton of future members and villains that can’t be included – although we can hope that the ground would be set for future films. Plus, including Quicksilver in the story opens the door for a cameo by Ian McKellen as Magneto, his father.
Edwin Jarvis
Screw this computer crap. Jarvis should be a lot more than the computerized disembodied voice that Iron Man made him to be. He’s a Butler, a Badass, and as much a member of the team as Captain America. Edwin Jarvis brings his boxing expertise and father figure ways to the Avengers Mansion and has to be in the film. There is no Avengers without him. Plus, it affords the opportunity to have him thrown in the mix like when a major villain, let’s say Loki, infiltrates the compound and Jarvis confronts him.
Some Tough Female Heroes
For whatever reason, superhero films have yet to capitalize on the vast universe of female heroes out there, avoiding even major icons like the plague. The filmmakers behind The Avengers have their own vast universe, and they should embrace it. Wasp is a must-have, but it would be cool to see Scarlet Witch (see the Magneto cameo) or even Black Widow. Want to get even crazier? Get She-Hulk or Spider-Woman busting bad guys. The time-line might be a little tricky, but stranger things have happened.
Ant-Man Becoming Giant-Man Within the Film
Alright, we’d settle for Ant-Man not sucking. As much as we love The Avengers, we’re worried that Ant-Man might not transition to the big screen as well as he should. There’s a good chance that he may already become Giant-Man in his individual movie – or that they’re using the individual films to see which characters get the most screen time – but more than the others, Ant-Man has the potential to either be completely awesome or completely lame.
Nick Fury Being a Badass
Last, but not least, is the demand most likely to be taken seriously. Since Marvel has already cast Samuel L. Jackson as the eye-patched general (an obvious choice since the Ultimates version was based off him) they only have to do one more thing: put him on screen. Sam Jackson + Camera = Badass. Simple as that.
But it does cause a complication. There’s a few signs that point to the movie being tailored toward the Ultimates instead of the classic Avengers. Jackson as Fury, characters rooted more in reality and science than superpower. This could change some major things: Thor could be a lunatic instead of a God, they might be stationed at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters instead of the Avengers Mansion (thus ruining hopes for Edwin Jarvis playing a decent role), Tony Stark might have a sex tape. Please, Marvel, don’t make a Tony Stark sex tape.
We’ve got high hopes for this film. Luckily, we have several other films to pave the way until 2011, and we’ll still have to see how Thor, Captain America, and Ant-Man turn out to see which direction Marvel is going. Most likely, it’s going to be the right direction, but these suggestions are a good start to making Avengers another blockbuster, fanboy satisfying flick.
Related Topics: Iron Man, Marvel
