The "live" AVENGERS from my last count is 18 strong. Unfortunately seeing all of them together in an actual movie will be next to impossible considering that the rights of making movie for these characters are held by different studios. The characters listed below are AVENGERS on the main Marvel Continuity(616).
I will be listing them down chronologically in order of the character joining the superteam.
1. Thor - Avengers #1 (1963)
THOR was a founding member of the AVENGERS when he and four other heroes banded together to fight his evil brother LOKI.
Thor's first appearance in live media is in the live action television film The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988). He was played by Eric Allan Kramer. In this version Thor was a spirit that cannot be admitted into Asgard until he has proven himself worthy.
We'll next see Thor in the big screen May of 2011 and in an actual AVENGERS movie on May of 2012. He is played by Chris Hemsworth. This version closely resembles that of his comicbook counterpart.
2. Iron Man -Avengers #1 (1963)
Iron Man was one of the heroes who heard the distress call of Rick Jones about a rampaging Hulk, when he arrived in Jones's location he was joined by other heroes and that was the beginning of the formation of the AVENGERS.
Iron Man was the first feature film made by Marvel Studios. The movie was released May of 2008 with its sequel Iron Man II, released two years after. Another sequel is planned for a May 2013 show date. The character is pretty much similar to its comicbook counterpart with some of its backstory adjusted to accomodate contemporary times.
3. Hulk -Avengers #1 (1963)
Loki manipulating the HULK was the catalyst that gathered a group of heroes that later will be known as the AVENGERS.
Hulk's first adaptation into live media was the Incredible Hulk TV series and its spin-off television films, he was portrayed by body builder Lou Ferrigno. Unlike the comics, the show featured none of the comics villains or supporting characters. Also, the Hulk never spoke, he just growled and roared.
Hulk then jumped into theatrical films. First in Ang Lee's Hulk in 2003 and a soft reboot in The Incredible Hulk in 2008. The Hulk in these film versions are computer generated. The Hulk will also appear in 2012's The AVENGERS his alter-ego,Bruce Banner, will be played by Mark Ruffalo replacing Edward Norton from the 2008 film.
4. Captain America -Avengers #4 (1964)
After a failed mission in World War II Captain America's body was trapped in a block of ice. Years later the AVENGERS found this block of ice and discovered the body of Captain America. After a mission involving alien with rayguns that turns people into stones, Captain America was invited to join the Super Team.
Captain America's journey to live media started way back in 1944 with a movie serial. He was played by actor Dick Purcell. His next appearance in live media will be 30+ years later in two TV movies entitled Captain America and Captain America II: Death Too Soon, he is now portrayed by Reb Brown.
The 90s made a Captain America film but this was not officially released on U.S. theaters. Matt Salinger is the Captain America for this one.
Chris Evans then takes over for 2011's Captain America : First Avenger and in the upcoming AVENGERS film in 2012
5. Quicksilver -Avengers #16
With the Original AVENGERS taking a leave in issue #16. The line-up of the team was changed, and added with the new line-up is the speedster Quicksilver.
Quicksilver made a brief cameo in X-Men Origins : Wolverine as one of the mutants in Stryker's facility.
6. Black Widow -Avengers #111 (1973)
Black Widow and Daredevil joined the AVENGERS in a mission saving the X-Men and other AVENGERS. Whe the mission was over Black Widow decided to stay on with the AVENGERS.
Black Widow has a role in Iron Man II as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. sent undercover to Tony Stark by Nick Fury.
7. Beast -Avengers #137 (1975)
The Beast inclusion to the ranks of AVENGERS was through a recruitment drive in Shea Stadium.
There are three appearances of Hank McCoy "The Beast" in live films. The first one was a news interview cameo in X2 but as a normal looking Dr. McCoy. The second one was in X-Men : The Last Stand played by Kelsey Grammer and he will next appear on X-Men : First Class.
8. James Rhodes (War Machine) -West Coast Avengers #1 (1984) as Iron Man
James Rhodes joined the West Coast AVENGERS in its first issue wearing the Iron Man suit.
War Machine was present in Iron Man 2 movie. His armor was based on the Mark II Iron Man armor. War Machine did not appear on the first Iron Man movie, though his alter ego Rhodey was in the movie played by Terence Howard. Howard was then replaced by Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2.
9. Thing -West Coast Avengers Vol 2 #9 (1966)
The Thing joined the West Coast AVENGERS upon returning to the Fantastic Four and learning that Alicia Masters was romantically involved with his teammate Human Torch (It was later revealed that this Alicia was a skrull impostor).
The Thing appeared in 3 films. The first one was the unreleased low-budget 1994 feature film. The 2nd and 3rd one was a film series by Tim Story. The Thing in these films were actor wearing a rubber suit.
10. Mr. Fantastic -Avengers #300 (1989)
Mr. Fantastic joined the AVENGERS in issue 300. When a new group of heroes banded together to save Mr. Fantastic and Invisible Woman's son, Franklin.
Like the Thing. Mr. Fantastic has been in three movies. The first one was back in 1994, he was played by Alex Hyde-White. Another Fantastic Four film was released in 2005 with a sequel on 2008, this Mr. Fantastic was played by Ioan Gruffud.
11. Invisible Woman -Avengers #300 (1989)
Invisible Woman joined the AVENGERS with her husband in issue 300.
Rebecca Staab was the invisible woman in the 1994 version and Jessica Alba for the 2005 version and the 2007 sequel Fantastic Four : Rise of the Silver Surfer. (That makes three of the Fantastic Four members of AVENGERS, what happened to Human Torch? Is he dead or something? Was that too soon? lol)
12. Deadpool - Deadpool GLI-Summer Fun Spectacular #1
Deadpool agrees to become a Great Lakes Initiative reserve member in Deadpool GLI-Summer Fun Spectacular #1
Ryan Reynolds played Wade Wilson in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Wade Wilson is the alter-ego of Deadpool. Well like the Deadpool character did is not actually part of the real AVENGERS, we could argue that Ryan Reynolds did not actually play Deadpool.
13. Spider-Man - Avengers #316 (1990)
SPIDER-MAN joined the AVENGERS first as a reserve member. This was in a mission against Nebula.
SPIDER-MAN has his fair share of live interpretations. Being this friendly neighbor, he helped kids learn to read in a segment in the show Electric Company. In his first actual TV show he was played by Danny Seagren. Years after he moved from small screen to the big screen, carrying the face of Tobey Maguire for three movies. After tiring of just being Spider-man we will next see him as the Amazing Spider-man and the actor doing the swinging in the urban jungle of New York is Andrew Garfield
14. Sandman - Avengers #329 (1991)
Sandman, William Baker, was given a probationary Avenger status but he did not gain full membership.
Sandman can be seen in the third Raimi SPIDER-MAN movie. He was played by Thomas Haden Church. In this version he was the one responsible for the death of Uncle Ben, though it was only accidental.
15. Wolverine - New Avengers #6(2005)
Wolverine was reluctantly allowed to be a part of the AVENGERS, Cap stating that he is murderer but Iron Man countered it that he is a Samurai Warrior.
Wolverine has been in most X-Men film except for the latest one, X-Men First Class. In all these films he was played by Hugh Jackman.
16. Dr. Strange -New Avengers #27 (2007)
Dr. Strange joined the New AVENGERS in issue #27.
Dr. Strange appeared in one TV movie and similar to his comicbook incarnation he started as an actual physician. He was portrayed by Peter Hooten.
17. Norman Osborn -Dark Avengers #1 (2009)
After the event of a Skrull Invasion, Norman Osborn, in the eyes of the civilians of the Marvel Universe, emerges a hero. He gathered together a group consisting mainly of supervillains and dressed them up as established heroes, they were dubbed the Dark Avengers. He himself portrayed an amalgamated Captain America and Iron Man, and calling himself the Iron Patriot.
Norman Osborn is Green Goblin in the 2002 SPIDER-MAN movie. His character died on that movie, but his presence was still felt on the 2004 and 2007 sequels, in the psyche of his son Harry Osborn. He was played by actor Willem Dafoe
18. Bullseye -Dark AVENGERS #1 (2009)
Bullseye is one of the villains that Norman Osborn brought in to his Dark AVENGERS. He hid in the guise of Hawkeye. The real Hawkeye at this time was with the New AVENGERS and going by the moniker Ronin.
Bullseye was in the 2003 Daredevil movie, played by Colin Farrell. The character end up falling from a building after his battle with Daredevil, but survived and last seen with a full body cast.
19. Venom -Dark AVENGERS #1 (2009)
Venom is another villain Osborn has on his team of Dark AVENGERS. He is duping his arch-nemesis SPIDER-MAN, and can be seen mimicking the black Spidey costume. Note: This Venom is the Mac Gargan version(formerly the villain Scorpion) and not Eddie Brock.
Venom is in SPIDER-MAN 3 and like in the comics he was an alien symbiote bonded first with SPIDER-MAN, then found another host Eddie Brock (Topher Grace).
20. Harry Osborn -Amazing Spider-Man #594 (2009)
Harry Osborn, was invited by his father to be part of his AVENGERS. He agreed but he has ulterior motives on why he joined the team. As part of this AVENGERS, he was known as the American Son.
Harry Osborn appeared in all of the Sam Raimi directed SPIDER-MAN movies. A good friend to Peter Parker, but with great hatred to SPIDER-MAN. On the third film he donned an upgraded goblin suit and flyer.
21. Nick Fury -New Avengers vol. 2 #10 (March 2011)
Nick Fury's involvement with the AVENGERS, like his dealing with everything in the Marvel Universe, is completely hush-hush. It was just recently that his Black Ops initiative was put into light, which might have a connection with the origin of the Avengers.
Nick Fury had a TV movie in which he was portrayed by David Hasselhoff. The character then appeared first in cameo role in Iron Man then a longer appearance in Iron Man 2. He will appear in several other Marvel movies so keep your eyes open because this character will just pop-up anywhere. This version is played by Samuel L. Jackson, which was based on the Ultimate Nick Fury, which funny enough was based on Samuel L. Jackson (life imitating art kind off
fecal matter).
22. Dum Dum Dugan -New Avengers vol. 2 #10 (March 2011)
Dum Dum Dugan history with the AVENGERS is with Nick Fury's Black Ops Initiative which is dated back to 1959.
Dugan first appeared in live media on that David Hasselhoff starrer TV movie Nick Fury : Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. He is older in this portrayal and missing is his moustache and the iconic bowler hat. Next we see of this strongman will be in Captain America : First Avenger. he is played my Neil McDonough
23. Sabretooth -New Avengers vol. 2 #10 (March 2011)
Sabretooth is part of that super-secret black ops team of Nick Fury.
Sabretooth was in the first X-Men movie, he was played by that giant Tyler Mane. He later appeared in that movie's prequel revolving around the character of Wolverine he is now played by a not so giant-like Liev Schreiber.
E'Gahd! That's a whole lot of AVENGERS. Some more worthy to be called AVENGERS than others. I hope this satisfied a little of your craving for the Actual AVENGERS Movie, which won't come out until a million years, in none geek speak 2012 (well for me, doing this, it just made me want to have that Marvel megamovie out now! I mean this very moment... .ggrrrr.).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Avengers_members
Note: Any error in the article above, if any, just blame it on my age, humanity and ignorance. Just be sure to check the comment section for the corrections, any error I made will surely be pointed out and corrected by much bigger geeks (because there will always be a bigger geek out there).
-This has been PollMaster inviting you to the geekside.
This is the 6th article in my Comic Book History series. Any requests and suggestions for an article for this series write it down in the comment section BELOW.