Joss Whedon Says "Avengers" Assemble!

According to reports, Marvel Studios is in final negotiations with Joss Whedon ("Buffy The Vampire Slayer") as director of the Marvel Comics superhero team-up "The Avengers", scheduled for a May 4, 2012 release.

The new feature will showcase comic book characters currently featured in Marvel Studio/Paramount Pictures adaptations including actor Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man"), Chris Evans ("Captain America"), Chris Hemsworth ("Thor"), Samuel L. Jackson ("Nick Fury") and a whole lot more.

The team made its debut in Marvel Comics' "The Avengers #1" (Sept. 1963), created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby.

Labeled "Earth's Mightiest Heroes", the Avengers originally consisted of 'Ant-Man', 'Wasp', 'Thor', 'Iron Man' and 'The Hulk'.

'Captain America' joined 'The Avengers' in issue #4, with a rotating superhero roster becoming a hallmark of the team, famed for the battle cry, "Avengers Assemble!"

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