No matter how you break it down, chop it up, or finagle the numbers.
Marvel Studios' The Avengers is a bona fide hit. Numbers are still coming in but as of Thursday, May 11th, the film has earned $270M+ domestically, giving it the biggest opening week of all-time and a worldwide total of $803M. According to Box office experts, by the time you read this article, the film's gross could be $1B or more. At this moment Kevin Feige, Joss Whedon and the entire
Avengers cast are the proverbial golden boys (and girls) of summer and have skyrocketed
Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow and
Hawkeye to new levels of fame. The next solo outings or "
Phase Two", as Feige calls it undoubtedly now have an increased level of expectation in the wake of the film's astronomical success. But as
Avengers frenzy winds down let's give it one more hurrah with the help of some of our celebrity friends mixed in with a little
Avengers history.
“THE AVENGERS’ explosive success is well-deserved. Working with the fantastic Marvel team, headed by Kevin Feige, and a spectacularly talented cast, Joss Whedon created a story that is entertaining, suspenseful and universally satisfying. As a fan myself, I was truly blown away."
-Gale Anne Hurd (Executive Producer, The Walking Dead)
Finally saw Avengers. Great movie, testament to Joss as writer and director. Perfect balance of action, humor and characterization.
-J. Michael Straczynski (Creator, Babylon 5)
Wow. The Avengers. Just....wow.
- Jordin Sparks (Singer/Actress, Sparkle)
Saw Avengers last night. Tons of fun and some genuine hilarity. So happy to see Joss Wheedon bring home the spoils. Hulk smashing!!!
-Simon Pegg (Actor, Star Trek)
1963
AVENGERS blew me away. And the Hulk? HE SMASH GOOD.
-Marjorie M. Liu (Writer, Marvel Comics)
What can you say about the Avengers? Larger than life heroes. Epic action. Great performances. And, as to be expected, the mighty HULK steals the spotlight."
-J.T. Krul (Writer, DC Comics/Aspen Comics)
I liked it a lot!! Waiting on #2 already.
-Shawn Michaels (Wrestler, WWE)
1964
"I went to see The Avengers last weekend with Matt Bauckham from WETA Workshop. Wow! The 3D was such a big step forward from my last 3D cinema experience 3 years ago, and Robert Downy Jr. was once again just awesome as Iron Man. Definitely worth watching for the technical aspect."
- Conan Stevens (Actor,The Hobbit, Game of Thrones, Spartacus)
A big thank you to all the Marvel movie going faithful! Without you guys and gals none of this would be possible.
-Joe Quesada (Chief Creative Officer, Marvel Comics)
Marvel's The Avengers" is the best-looking 3D movie ever made and it didn't give me a seizure-induced headache. It's also funny and smart.
- Bret Easton Ellis (Writer, American Psycho)
1965
After seeing Avengers, I'd kill to see a Joss Whedon scripted, Mark Ruffalo starring solo Hulk movie! Hulk rules this film!
-Dan Slott (Writer, Marvel Comics)
Best part of the Avengers = The Hulk.
-Damon Wayans Jr. (Actor, Happy Endings)
Hulk.Smash.
-Aishia Tyler (Actress, Archer)
1965
I could just keep watching the Hulk over and over and over. It doesn't get much better than "Puny God."
-Skottie Young (Writer/Artist, Marvel Comics)
12 collective thumbs up..WAY up, from the Foley family for The Avengers! Very cool movie.
- Mick Foley (Wrestler/Author, WWE)
Raise your hand if you want to see Mark Ruffalo Hulk out in IRON MAN 3.
- Joe Hill (Writer, Locke & Key)
One of the key reasons a movie makes the billion gross is repeat viewing and its rare. Avengers has us all going again and again. Awesome!
- Bryan Hitch (Artist, The Ultimates)
TODAY
Here's a special featurette on the film courtesy of
Buzzine.
The Avengers is an upcoming American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. It is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film is written and directed by Joss Whedon and features an ensemble cast, which includes Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson. In The Avengers, Nick Fury, director of the peacekeeping organization S.H.I.E.L.D., recruits Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Captain America to save the world from destruction.
Development of The Avengers began when Marvel Studios received a grant from Merrill Lynch in April 2005. After the success of the film Iron Man in May 2008, Marvel announced that The Avengers would be released in July 2011. With the signing of Scarlett Johansson in March 2009, the film was pushed back for a 2012 release. Whedon was brought on board in April 2010 and rewrote the screenplay that was originally written by Zak Penn. Production began in April 2011 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio in August 2011 and New York City in September 2011. The film was converted to 3D in post-production.
The Avengers was released in the United States on May 4, 2012 in 2D and 3D.
Running Time: 2 hrs 23minutes
Release Date: May 4 2012 (USA)
MPAA Rating: PG 13 for for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, and language
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Cobie Smulders, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Stellan Skarsgård, Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Righetti, Scarlett Johansson and Lou Ferrigno
The Incredible Hulk (voice) .
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Written by: Zak Penn (initial screenplay), Joss Whedon (revised screenplay)