May 4th will soon be upon us, and what better way to get amped up for the film than to debate which hero will dominate the screen... the most!
All of these characters have been seen in previous films, so their varying levels of awesome have been displayed already. However, there are a number variables at play that we haven't seen before for all these characters.
Iron Man: One of the more prolific characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and certainly the more financially profitable, Iron Man has been at the forefront of the advertising for "The Avengers". If we are to believe the trailer, Iron Man will be a big old bag of awesome and be the one to really steal the show and if the character is more "Iron Man" than "Iron Man II" I am inclined to agree. His interactions with the rest of the team will definitely be the funniest, as the character has a level of snark that no one else has, but hopefully he will more than just a bag of one liners and witty comments.
Captain America: Other than a pretty cool scene of Cap falling out a Quinjet, the trailers have shown precious little of The First Avenger. From interview with Whedon, it is known that the the film will mostly be from the perspective of Cap. How the character will deal with being a man apart in the modern world is one of the things that could make or break this movie. If the character continues on a similar to how he was in his movie, then I expect good things.
The Incredible Hulk: The biggest variable here is the change of actor. I for one really dug the 2008 film and thought Edward Norton did an awesome job. I am still a little disappointed that he won't be reprising the role, but at the same time I think Mark Ruffalo could do a fantastic job. Whedon has promised a different take on the character, one more close to the comics. How well this translates is a definite issue. Honestly though, that bit where Hulk catches Iron Man and then clings to a building is fantastic
Hawkeye: This one is the real unknown of the film. Sure, he had a cameo in "Thor", but we didn't really get much more than some snarky comments and a bow. The trailer doesn't show much either, this Marvel's resident archer has the potential to be great, and with the always superior Jeremy Renner in the role, I don't see much of a down side.
Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson reprises her role of Black Widow. I don't really see a lot of chances for here to be all super spy, but she adds a needed femininity to the film and will act as a great foil to Iron Man, and I think Captain America as well, if they choose to go that direction. She won't have much in the way in the epic aerial fights, but I expect her character to have the best hand to hand scene.
Nick Fury: It's Samuel L. Jackson. I really don't think I need to say anything else.
Thor: Can't believe I left out The Mighty Thor! Well, I think "Avengers" is going to give our favorite hammer-wielding Asgardian a chance to grow as a character. Last summers' film was great, and one of Marvel's better cinematic efforts, but the character himself was a bit one note. He evolved from a brash meathead into, well... a more tactical meathead. With Loki as the villain though, I expect the real drama of the film to be between him and Thor, and this could really make the movie. Also, I expect some rocking action sequences, and I for one am hoping for a little more lightning-action.
Enough of my pontificating though. Who do you think will be the best? Sound off below!