This may seem a bit random, and it could just be a simple coincidence, but I dont know, I think I want you guys opinions on this...
So I was just on IMDb today and while looking through different Avengers actors pages, I found this interesting tidbit...
They all have been in a movie (or TV show) with at least one other cast member at some point...
1. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man) and Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner) in Zodiac
2. Chris Evans (Captain America) and Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) in The Perfect Score
3. Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) in The Spirit
4. Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) in S.W.A.T
5. Nathan Fillion (Hank Pym) and Eva Longoria (Janet) in Desperate Housewives
Of course, although Fillion and Longoria did NOT appear with any of the Avengers cast, Fillion is a longtime collaborator with director Joss Whedon. The only one that does not fit into this is Chris Hemsworth, but he is an up and coming actor that is guaranteed to work well here.
Just something interesting, but this makes me a little curious... could Marvel be playing safe and getting actors that have worked with the others in the past, which can somewhat insure no problems? I HATE to think they dumped Norton to get Ruffalo, who can work with RDJ.
What makes this theory even stronger too is that obviously because RDJ, Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett all appeared in Iron Man 2 together, of course Marvel does not really need to worry about them working together... then of course Sam is willing to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger, so he will have acted with Chris Evans, and Marvel knows he is "in" for The Avengers.
Edward Norton, even though Marvel and him have been said to have had issues, could another reason be that Norton did not appear in any of the films alongside everyone, and also because Norton was a pain in the ass, according to rumors, is that ultimately why Norton was opted out, in favor of Mark Ruffalo, who appared with Robert in Zodiac?
Even if this really is nothing, it is an interesting thing to discuss!