"Robert is a tour de force as Tony Stark and he injects that confidence and sense of humor that brought to life and defined the character in the best way possible in both ‘Iron Man’ films," said Marvel Studios' President and producer of
Marvel's The Avengers,
Kevin Feige.
"We wanted to give Robert scenes with all the characters as we knew it would be a lot of fun to watch Tony’s interaction with Captain America, Thor and The Hulk. When Robert walks on the screen, the audiences embrace him in a very big and palpable way; he really is a powerhouse for us and the film."
Robert Downey Jr. meanwhile didn't begin to even contemplate going on to star in
The Avengers until the night that
Iron Man opened all the way back in 2008.
"I remember when we were all huddled around the dinner table waiting for the numbers to come in. We had planted some ideas after the credits of the film, hinting at the notion of ‘The Avengers’ and in Hollywood, I’m always amazed when anything that difficult works out." As for how Iron Man feels about the prospect of joining a "superhero boy band," the actor said,
"Tony initially thinks it’s ridiculous, but being Tony Stark, he is more open to the realm of possibilities that exist in the world of ‘The Avengers.’ Tony already had hints of it from Nick Fury who has been stringing him along for a while about becoming part of a larger universe."
The executive producer of the superhero ensemble,
Jeremy Latcham, adds,
"At the end of the day he is Tony Stark and he understands the severity of the situation. He’s willing to make the ultimate sacrifice but at the same time, he’s kind of enamored by the absurdity of it. As a result, Tony Stark really is the audience’s way in because he is the closest thing to a normal person among the Super Heroes. That’s saying a lot because Tony Stark is a billionaire, playboy, philanthropist, who drinks too much, but is really funny and entertaining, which works out nicely."
Of course, it was Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury (director of S.H.I.E.L.D.) who was the one chosen to introduce Tony Stark to a much larger universe in
Iron Man's after-credits scene. However, after making brief appearances in
Iron Man 2,
Thor and
Captain America: The First Avenger, Feige knew that
The Avengers would be the perfect opportunity to shine the spotlight on both Jackson
and Fury.
"The promise we made to Sam was when we got to ‘The Avengers’ it would be his time to shine. Sam was very pleased when he got the script and saw how many great scenes Nick Fury had in the film. He is very active and in command on the Helicarrier and really gets into the action. If I had to say which character’s point of view the film is told from it would be Nick Fury’s."
"It’s great to be the guy who is the organizer of The Avengers team," says
Samuel L. Jackson on his expanded role in the film.
"He’s the guy who has the raison-d’être that kind of understands the threat and has to get them to understand the nature of the threat; that we’re a lot stronger together than they are individually. Using Coulson in a manipulative way to get them to do what he needs them to do is not above Nick’s character. He does kind of fudge the truth a bit to get them to take the bait and join in, and eventually they all do."
Director
Joss Whedon had this to say when asked about why he has such admiration for the actor who will be his Nick Fury.
"I always think that there are two of him because he is famous for the sort of bravado ‘Pulp Fiction’ speechifying guy who can out-moxie anybody in the room. Before we started shooting the film I told Sam my biggest note to remember was ‘less Shaft, more Glass [Jackson’s character in “Unbreakable].’ I wanted to see a guy who could absolutely command a room with his voice that leaves no question of who is in charge of this enormous organization. I am also a huge ‘Unbreakable’ fan, so I’m also very much in love with the great depth and well of sadness that he can bring to the character as well."
STARRING:
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Ramanoff/Black Widow
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
RELEASE DATE: April 26th, 2012. (UK) May 4th, 2012. (US)