MTV Movies Blog » Marvel Chief Chimes In On ‘Avengers’ Movie

Marvel Chief Chimes In On ‘Avengers’ Movie

Published by Matt Harper on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 2:27 pm.

The Avengers Story updated: 11/7/07 @ 11:06 AM

With casting of the “Justice League of America” movie well underway, one of the biggest resulting questions is whether the Avengers, Marvel’s equivalent to the JLA, will ever see their own cinematic chances realized.

To get an opinion directly from the source, we sought out Joe Quesada, Marvel’s editor-in-chief, to get his take on the legendary superteam and what he thinks the chances are of getting them assembled on the big screen.

“Strictly speaking as a fan, who wouldn’t want to see [an Avengers movie],” Quesada enthused, adding that for his money, “who wouldn’t want to see just two of the characters teaming up…like a Spider-Man/Wolverine movie,” before placing the caveat that the chances of that happening would be “pretty astronomical.”

But with the company controlling more of its own characters under the Marvel Studios label than it ever has before, an Avengers film is arguably more likely than a two-character team-up. And while Quesada wouldn’t shed any detailed insight into the likelihood of it happening, he did offer up his own dream roster for an Avengers big-budget flick.

“It would be Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man,” Quesada stated. “You can have anyone outside of that, but if you had those three characters, you have a tremendous Avengers movie. Those three characters are sort of the Holy Trinity here at Marvel.”

That’s about all we could get out of the classically tight-lipped Joe Quesada, but with Iron Man set for release in ‘08, and both Thor and Captain America in the planning stages, could an Avengers movie be far off? Who would you like to see team up? Chime in below!

CORRECTION: Our original report inferred that Mr. Quesada had suggested that the chances of an “Avengers” film happening were “pretty astronomical,” when he was in fact discussing the possibility of a Marvel Team-Up movie featuring such characters as Spider-Man and Wolverine. Our apologies to Mr. Quesada.

36 Responses to “Marvel Chief Chimes In On ‘Avengers’ Movie”

hypestyle says:

4:09 on 11/06

f this were to happen, here are my picks for the heroes:

Captain America
Thor
Iron Man
Black Panther
Spider-Man
Ms. Marvel
Monica Rambeau
silvermoth says:

4:27 on 11/06

I'm sure its much more likey than Quesada thinks what with Marvel going independent. It just means there will be no chance of having Wolverine or Spidey.

I'ld love to see...
Captain America
Iron Man
Thor
Giant Man
Wasp
Scarlett Witch
Quicksilver
Joseph says:

4:35 on 11/06

I would hope that they would stay true to the most classical group of superheroes for an "Avengers" movie. Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, + Black Panther, etc. We all know that a "Justice League" movie is being made. They are talking about doing Jon Stewart for Green Lantern; which in my opinion, is a mistake. If Marvel makes the same mistake w/ "The Avengers" as DC is making w/ "Justice League" it will hurt the movie. When casting a superhero movie you have to put the right character persona to the right character. Does anybody want to see a "Batman" movie where Bruce Wayne isn't "Batman?" Where Diana Prince isn't "Wonder Woman?" No! Imagine an X-Men movie w/o Logan Wolverine?!
Jason says:

4:41 on 11/06

Joe Quesada isn't exactly the man to ask about the upcoming movie slate. Yesterday at the Q3 earnings report Marvel stated that the movie was still in the works. Here are your Avengers if I was doing it...
Captain America
Thor
Iron Man
Giant Man
Wasp
Hawkeye
Jeff says:

4:54 on 11/06

I hate the idea of John Stewart being in the Justice League movie. I heard in the Green Lantern movie that it will be Hal Jordan so I hope that it is actually Hal going to be in the JL movie.

My line-up:
Captain America
Ironman
Thor
Hawkeye
Vision
Wasp
Giantman/Antman
Rich says:

5:14 on 11/06

So there's a holy trinity that does *not* include Spider-Man? I think not. That being said... no, Spidey and Wolverine should/would not be in an Avengers film. It's silly enough that they're on the New/Secret Avengers in the books right now.

Jeff probably is closest to a team that large, with Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch the obvious alternatives. I'd remove Vision or Wasp before Hawkeye or Ant-Man. Anyway, fun to speculate.
Ryan says:

5:41 on 11/06

Matt Harper rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aftermath says:

6:20 on 11/06

I hope they do an Avenger's film. With Iron Man and Incredible Hulk next year and hopefully Thor, Captain America and Ant-Man films to follow in 2009-10, they can really set this up.

My rooster for the Avenger's first film would be:

Captain America
Iron Man
Thor
Hulk
Ant-Man
Wasp

Go with the original to stay true to the comics.
Travis says:

7:06 on 11/06

First, they had better put Hal Jordan in the JLA film and not John Stewart (if they did, it would be for the soul purpose of diversifying the JLA.) Hal Jordan is a much deeper character, and has a larger fanbase...

I don't think that an Avengers film would happen either... If it did, it would be as a seperate universe from the films that Marvel are producing now, like with the JLA film being in a seperate DC universe from the Superman Returns and Batman Begins film (even tho Brandon Routh was interested, Christian Bale was not.)
Jeff DelDona says:

2:15 on 11/07

When Quesada syas that Cap, Thor and Iron Man are the holy trinity at Marvel, he means in terms of Avengers. You cannot have an Avengers film, or cartoon for that matter as evidneced by the doomed 90's series, without those three heroes.
Anyway, the best line-up, in my opinion, would be...

Cap
Thor
Iron Man
Wasp
Hawkeye
Vision
Scarlet Witch
Hank Pym as either Giant-man or Yellow Jacket
... maybe Quicksilver
Sean says:

2:38 on 11/07

Personally I'm hoping if they do it they adapt The Ultimates
Oerwinde says:

3:34 on 11/07

They'll use the Ultimates lineup.

So it will be
Captain America
Thor
Iron Man
Giant Man
Wasp
Hulk
Nick Fury

Good sized group IMO
Walt Frayne says:

5:51 on 11/07

Joe Quesada is not the man to speak with about their film slate. He probably thinks it is still as it was a few years back when Marvel had liscensed out Captain America, Thor and Iron Man to seperate film studios. Now those characters are all back under Marvel's roof. The only Avengers character whose liscensing agreement has not yet expired is Black Widdow, who isn't needed in the film anyway.

My choice for characters.
Captain America
Thor
Iron Man
Wasp
Giant Man
Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers)

I enjoy having Wolverine and Spiderman in the Avengers comics, but not in an Avengers film.
Engr Pedro says:

8:29 on 11/07

They better have Hal Jordan in the new JLA movie. It would definitely rock if he is GL.

But if DC insists to have John Stewart, then...

Make Parallax the villain!!!

Then the new GL movie will be like a prequel to this JLA movie. Hell yeah!
Le Diable Blanc says:

10:41 on 11/07

So long as they don't try to cram too many characters in, or adapt a comic storyline that they simply cannot do justice to in 2 hours, or let Tim Story (or Mark Steven Johnson) anywhere near it, or try to tone it down for wee little kiddies, ~cough~ Batman 4, X-Men 3, Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, Ghost Rider ~cough~, then we should be ok. That said, if Cap and Thor, along with the Incredible Hulk and Iron Man films already in production, get their own standalone flicks before Avengers hits screens they can do away with those major backstories for starters, leaving more room for story and action. The other characters (and here is where I throw in my vote for Hawkeye) could be introduced initially through a montage voiced over by Uatu The Watcher, pre-opening credits, then fleshed out as the movie progresses.
That's my half penn'orth anyway.
Dan says:

11:07 on 11/07

I think have Jon Stewart in Green Lantern would be awesome. With the writers' strike keeping The Daily Show out of production, would he have the time to do it now?
Darren says:

12:17 on 11/07

Well I am sure that Penn will come up with a great script and story but here is my idea for the first movie.

Tony Stark (Iron Man) forms up a group of inventors and scientists out of concern for a growing threat. The world's scientists are disapearing. Hank Pym (Ant Man) is an old friend and fellow inventor and quickly heralds the call with his wife (Wasp). Dr. Banner (Hulk) also heralds the call sensing the threat to the world and to the members themselves.

As the team is investigating the disapearances Hank is kidnapped by Black Knight. A similar attempt is made on Tony Stark by Enchantress and Executioner. Thor arrives as he has been tracking Amora (Enchantress). They fend off this attempt and Thor joins the team who is now without Hank.

A mysterious villain is running the show and it is revealed that he is building an army of androids to conquer the world. He is a munitions expert and has enlisted the help of Black Knight (a geneticist), Enchantress (a sorceress), Executioner (Enchantress's muscle), Melter (a munitions inventor), and Radioactive Man (a nuclear physicist). The mysterious villain is eventually revealed to be Baron Heinrich Zemo. The group adopts the name, The Masters of Evil.

Zemo uses his influence to attract another member to the team as well, Wonder Man. Wonder Man, obsessed with the failure of his family's munitions company at the hands of Tony Stark quickly joins forces with the Masters but as a secret agent. Wonder Man joins the Avengers and appears to be a valued member until he lures them into a trap. Iron Man and Hulk are imprisoned by Zemo in his headquarters in the North Atlantic.

Thor and Wasp remain the only free members of the team and they are able to track the Masters to their base. Iron Man has been relieved of his weapons and is in a cell. Hulk is being experimented on by Zemo and is subjected to psychological punishment. Pym is employed creating the artificial intelligence for the android army.

Wonder Man is vexed over what he has done as he watches Zemo torture Banner. Wasp convinces him to help them free the heroes and make amends. The three free Iron Man and he directs them to another hero imprisoned, Captain America. Cap has been a frozen statue kept for Zemo's amusement after being recovered from the frozen waters of the North Atlantic.

The heroes save Hank and Hulk and face off against the villains (Hulk vs Radioactive Man, Cap vs. Zemo, Iron Man vs. Melter, Ant-Man & Wasp vs. Black Knight, Thor vs. Enchantress & Executioner, Wonder Man attempts to destroy the army of androids). Black Knight and Zemo are killed in the altercation while the remaining Masters manage to escape. Hulk is convinced that it is not safe for him to be around the rest of the team so he leaves the Avengers. Wonder Man is put in a coma in his attempt to destroy the androids. The remaining team members reform to form the official Avengers.
Rich says:

1:29 on 11/07

Just make a Nextwave movie. That would be sufficient.
Brian says:

9:43 on 11/08

Captain America
Iron Man
Thor
Hawkeye
Wasp
Hank Pym(alter ego doesnt really matter,Hank Pym is Hank Pym no matter the costume he wears)
Scarlet Witch
Quicksilver
S.H.I.E.L.D. MUST be involved(cough...Ultimates Volume One....cough)

NUFF' SAID
Joe says:

1:55 on 11/09

Wouldn't it be great to have a comic book movie that accurately reflectes how the story was originally written? Guess thats impossible though. As for characters, im thinkin Cap, Ironman, Thor, Spidey, and Wolverine. Anything less than that is just not right. Of course it would be great to have the others too, like the Hulk, and Black Panther, etc. but after seeing the last X-men movie I realized that movie makers just can't handle covering so many brilliant and complex characters in a single movie while giving each hero the proper amount of screen time. Yea, thats a challenge. Oh, and please don't cast Hugh Jackman as wolverine. not that he's a bad actor but for cryin out loud, Wolverine is 5'3". Hugh Jackman is 6'2"! Attention to little details like this would be nice. Well, if anyone who has any type of say in the production of this Avenger movie reads this by any chance, please be the answer to my prayers. Im sure im not alone.
Le Diable Blanc says:

5:47 on 11/09

Well, I can't say Dougray Scott (who went off to do Mission: Impossible II), or even Brandon Lee (who was lined up back in the day, before his untimely death obviously, when they were batting around the initial X-Men movie concept) could have done a better Wolverine. If you watch X-Men dvd extras Jackman does a much better Wolverine before it's edited or reshot. But his gutteral roars, facial intensity and physical violence is deemed a bit too OTT for the little kiddies to watch, so they tone it down. The height discrepancy hasn't really bothered me (apart from the Fastball Special in X3, Colossus was too small and Wolvie too big).
Though it would be a complete travesty I can't help but smile at the thought of a little guy like Danny Devito shoe-horning himself into the yellow spandex.
Le Diable Blanc says:

9:45 on 11/11

Oh, and weighing in on the "Who would want to see a Batman film where Bruce Wayne wasn't Batman?" mentioned a few post ago, if Nolan sticks around, and the characters were introduced right in the next couple of flicks, I think the Knightfall trilogy (abridged sympathetically) would make an awesome Batman movie. Having Bane break Bruce as the coda to the preceding movie would also keep those not au fait with the comics on their toes. Besides it wouldn't be so much a Batman film where Bruce wasn't Batman, it would be a Batman film with two Batmen, and a villain (in Azrael) that isn't really a villain. Whereas most Bat-baddies know they are doing wrong, even relish it (Joker, Black Mask [by the way, a Black Mask Bat-movie would also be awesome]), the best are the ones that are adamant they are right. Plus Bane was criminally treated (no pun intended) in his last movie outing.
Jim M. Gau says:

11:49 on 04/28

The Avengers of the 60's & 70's were the best. In a movie I'd vote for Captain America as leader, seconded by Iron Man. Additionally, I'd add Hawkeye, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Goliath (Hank Pym), & the Wasp. I'd keep the early uniforms, and have them face classic villans from the comics of that period. (What, no Thor or Hulk? Well, how much "big galoot" muscle do you need? You don't want the team too powerful...give the bad guys a chance, too!).
Jim M. Gau
Hancock, MI
Tone Da Boss says:

1:09 on 05/06

Nick Fury - Recruiter
Captain America - Leader
Iron Man
Spiderman - Comic Part
Thor
Wolverine - Action part
The Hulk - then they have to calm his a$$ down
Fantasic Four

I kno thats too many but it'd be awesome
Nate says:

1:51 on 05/06

Well let's just put everyone in line. You shouldn't put Wolverine or Spiderman in the Avengers movie. I mean really. Come on. They're too iconic to their own realms. I did however just see the new Iron Man movie {did you stay till the credits were over?} and here is my list.
Nick Fury {Samuel Jackson}
Captain America
Iron Man
Thor
- the three obvious choises
Wasp
Pym
Hawkeye
Black Panther
- and here's a tie in for those mutant lovers
Quicksilver
Scarlet Witch
- with having mutants you can start collaberating the M universe together and make it more congruent.
{also... has anyone thought about throwing in teasers for us true geeks out there?
ex: maybe a screenshot of the X-Men's "Blackbird" flying overhead in a Spiderman movie, or, show something with Stark Industries written on something in an X-Men movie....just a thought}
analog kid says:

10:43 on 05/06

There are soooo many licensing issues with the way Marvel divided up their characters, you may as well forget about seeing any X-Men in Spidey or Avengers, or Spidey in the other two, etc. I think they should go old-school on the Avengers, and give a bunch of heroes who have become b-list a chance to shine: Nick Fury & Iron Man (done deal, according to the post-credits teaser in the IM movie), Hulk (movie coming), Ant-Man (movie coming), Thor (movie coming), and Wasp (b/c what's Ant-Man without her?). I could see a huge adventure going on, in the middle of which the team discovers Captain America, and enlists his help. They leave out Cap's backstory, and it's a perfect teaser into a Cap movie, which would be a flashback-laden story of angst and regret, as most decent Cap stories tend to be, with the hero triumphing even though he's a throwback. I think the flick could end with the recruitment process, and intro of some c-listers like Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye. As for villians? Loki has to be the ultimate string-puller, even though someone like Zemo would be the apparent leader of the villian group. Either that, or the Avengers would face off against a Skrull invasion, as they're prepping to do currently in the comics. Lotta potential......
Jon says:

4:42 on 05/11

Darren pretty much nailed it. It even sets up for a sequel (2012/2013) of Ultron and Vision (heck even Ultron recruiting: The Grim Reaper, Living Laser and Klaw for a team of his own; which in turn would then have The Black Panther join the heroes.) Then in "Avengers 3" (2014 - 2016) could have Kang (and possibly start out with the Wreaking Crew getting creamed by the Avengers as Kang watches from the future and plots to destroy the Avengers.) Please Marvel Studios hire that Darren guy to write/script the movies. His short story nails all the marks (and doesn't include unnecessary characters like Wolvie or Spidey) isn't too overloaded and seems to cover the first 20 issues of the series (with the obvious omissions.)
robert says:

12:56 on 05/13

my line up would be
cap
thor
vision
scarlet witch
hawkeye
ironman
wasp
gaintman
Jay says:

11:34 on 06/06

You gotta stick to the original line up as much as possible. At least for the FIRST Avengers movie.
Line up should be...
Cap'n America
Thor
Iron Man
(The big 3)
Hulk (Coming to theaters next month!!)
Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver
Giant Man/Ant Man & Wasp
Later on, like in A2 & A3, they could introduce Hawkeye, Vision, Wonderman, Black Panther etc... There were soooo many characters in and out of the Avengers that the possibilities are virtually endless. Remember, Spidey was an Avenger at one point...
Maybe She-Hulk? How bout Rosie O'Donnell? JK
And ya gotta get Nick Fury into the mix somewhere too.
I can see it now... underoos sales are gonna go thru the roof!!
BRUCEBRUCE says:

10:13 on 06/10

I'm gonna go with the Ultimates as the cast for the movie. If you include ironman in it, its got to be atleast a level tech playin field, no? Caps a frozen over supersoldier from world war 2, and I can see some good potential with the story for that. Plus you gotta have shield in there too. Samuel Jackson is da sh--!!!!! Just don't dumb it down or kiddie up on this. Can't really see the Panther makin much more than a cameo, so I think he needs his own movie. I'd go with wesley but he already got Blade, but I digress...Ultimates cast w/ Shield is good to go.
Gmaster says:

6:09 on 06/15

I think it should be
capt. america played by mathew mchanaly
thor played by triple h
iron man - robert downey jr
hulk- ed norton
vision-?
wolverine- hugh jackman
nick fury- samuel jackson
and 2 girl characters lol
steviedaddy says:

10:30 on 06/15

iornman,cap,thor,wasp,and giantman are what you need to start off with and of course, they are in search of the hulk, and slowly introduce the others. dont try to cram alot or make up crap that has nothing to do with the great history of marvel ( i hear spiderman 4 is gonna cram a bunch crap, let the full stories be told, let old stories be told, old battles be fought)the first hulk sucked the second excellent. whatever happens keep to our history, keep marvel strong,noble and on going, i dont let any dc or others in my house or life, marvel rules, but how we were blessed with great artist and story tellers of our past, we have to have the same in movies. marvel you taught me how to read and escape a terible childhood 37 years ago. keep strong marvel and forever never ending and THANKYOU STAN LEE, in so many ways you helped me and dont know it.
captain cool says:

12:56 on 06/17

Ok I have a great idea! Iron man, hulk, captain America, ghost rider, nick fury, black widow, and ms fantastic. Dr doom is the bad guy and has kidnapped the rest of the fantastic 4. ms fantastic got away. Dr doom is marvel's ultimate bad guy, ms fantastic (jessica alba) is extremely hot. Thor is a thunder god and I'm not sure why he is in the avengers? Hes a "Thunder god" he could just make the bad guy disappear or fry. besides including him would be like including Moses or Buddha. ghost rider would take his place well because hes cool and everybody to like hellish hero with the success of the ghost rider movie and hell boy.Avengers is like a pack of chewy fruit snacks you have you grapes(cap), cherry(Ironman), apple(hulk),and then turkey(thor)? People have been confused for quit sometime but except it because it a comic book not a movie... wolverine and or spiderman would be welcome inclusions but to get sony to include them would be though maybe wolverine but spiderman would be unlikely.
marvel madness says:

4:25 on 06/19

Okay, instead of listing which heroes would be in the movie, who would play said heroes? There is alot of talk about john stewart and hal jordan in JLA movie, but who's gonna play who in the Avengers movie? With that being said, here goes.
Captain America
Iron Man-Robert Downey Jr. (already introduced, he did an amazing job)
Thor-Robert Mailiet
Ant Man/Giant Man-Iain Glenn (evil scientist in Resident Evil movies)
Wasp-no idea at all.
Black Panther-Jimmy Jean-Louis (cast member of Heroes)
Hulk-Edward Norton (same reason)
this entire cast is completely open to suggestion, I'm only speculating based on the actual avengers attributes so, please feel free to change anything. But this is the team I would use.
quasar master of time and space says:

1:12 on 06/21

of course it would have to be

capt
iron man
thor
wolverine
and spidey

all tryna stop the hulk, a never ending battle sure to please
DFault says:

9:09 on 06/29

Ironman *Hulkburster*, Thor, Hawkeye looking for Cap. Amer.(held by Doom and Locie) to capture The Hulk for shield then moving onto a Nation of Shock Troopers and Gentic Soldiers ripped from Cap. DNA ...