"Avengers" production begins

Writer: Lasekan Olabisi Gbemisola

28 Apr - Marvel Studios officially announced the start of production on the anticipated mega-superhero movie "The Avengers", along with a photo from the set of the movie which is due in 2012, reports MovieWeb based on Marvel's recent press release.

The official photo fresh off the set of "The Avengers", with set chairs (from left) for Thor, Iron Man, Captain America and Hulk.

Production for the film that is directed by Joss Whedon ("Serenity") has commenced on 27 April in Alberquerque, New Mexico, and will then move to Cleveland, Ohio and finally New York City.

The first photo from the official set features the new Avengers logo as well as four superhero set chairs for Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, and Hulk.

Based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series first published in 1963, Marvel's "The Avengers" brings together the mightiest super hero characters as they all join forces together on screen for the first time.

Are you ready for "The Avengers" movie in 2012 when all of Marvel's best superheroes unite?

The movie will also be the first feature to be fully owned, marketed and distributed by Disney which acquired Marvel in 2009, and will see Robert Downey Jr. returning as the iconic Tony Stark along with Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Jeremy Renner ("The Hurt Locker") as Hawkeye, Mark Ruffalo ("The Kids Are All Right") as Hulk, Scarlett Johansson ("Iron Man 2") as Black Widow, Clark Gregg ("Iron Man") as Agent Phil Coulson, and Samuel L. Jackson ("Iron Man 2") as Nick Fury.

In listing the cast for "The Avengers", MovieWeb also confirms the presence of Tom Hiddleston as Loki, who has been rumoured as the film's big villain and Stellan Skarsgard as Professor Erik Selvig ("Thor").

"The Avengers" is being produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige, and executive produced by Alan Fine, Stan Lee, Louis D'Esposito, Patty Whitcher, and Jon Favreau. Marvel Studios' Jeremy Latcham and Victoria Alonso will co-produce.

"The Avengers" will be opening at cinemas in Malaysia and Singapore in 2012.