What 'Threat' is Nick Fury Assembling The Avengers For?

[B1GM13]

Can we use the current Marvel movie timeline to accurately narrow down the villain the Avengers will face when their ensemble film hits theaters in 2012?
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The Avengers movie is still seven months away from beginning production, but that hasn't stopped the constant flow of news (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) and rumors from hitting the web. At this point, the most important question that fans have been pondering over is which villain, or villains, will face the superhero team (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) in their first film. The largest problem with using The Avengers comic books as a reference for this deduction is that these filmshttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) follow their own time line. It's a hard concept for many fans to grasp, but these films will inevitably not coincide directly with comic book canon. They are their own respective entity.

So where do the answers lie if not in the comics? In the films, of course. With three Marvel Studios projects already released, and two more being worked on right now, there will be more than enough clues to use for this equation. As a matter of fact, using solely Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man 2, along with the established Marvel moviehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) timeline, we can reasonably narrow down the plausibility of which villains would make the most sense.

First, let's look at the chronology of events (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) (that we know of) for these films:

Iron Man - CONFIRMED - Takes place first in modern movie continuity. The introduction of S.H.I.E.L.D. and its director Nick Fury. Most importantly, the knowledge that the Avengers Initiative is already under way.

Iron Man 2 - CONFIRMED - Begins six months after the first film ended. Audiences are shown that S.H.I.E.L.D. has been dealing with nationwide issues ('Southwest sector' scene) and is still actively seeking candidates for the Avengers Initiative. The final 10 minutes of the film coincide with the events of...

The Incredible Hulk - CONFIRMED - Majority of the film takes place after the events of Iron Man 2. Film ends with further exploration of the Avengers Initiative.

Thor - UNCONFIRMED - Film appears to overlap the events of The Incredible Hulk and, to a certain degree, Iron Man 2.

Captain America: The First Avenger - CONFIRMED - The film with have modern movie continuity "bookends." UNCONFIRMED - End of the film will lead directly in The Avengershttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) movie.

What this time line enables us to understand is that the 'threat' Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. are facing was already in existence prior to the events of the first Iron Man film.


Now, let's look at the villains that have been, or undoubtedly will be, introduced in these films and could possibly be used as antagonists in The Avengers:

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The Mandarin and his Ten Rings terrorist cells: Have been a part of modern movie continuity since Iron Man. The Mandarin has yet to be revealed. The Ten Rings are already known to be on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar, with active engagements by their agents happening throughout the movie time line.


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Abomination: Faced off and defeated by the Hulk (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) in The Incredible Hulk. Assumed to be in S.H.I.E.L.D. custody. No knowledge whether he has reverted back to his human form.


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Samuel Sterns/The Leader: Introduced towards the end of The Incredible Hulk. Audiences witnessed the beginning of his transformation into a gamma powered being. Location and actions after the film ends are unknown.


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Loki: Will appear as the central villain in the Thor movie due out next year. According to comic book canon, his temporary control over the Hulk caused the formation of The Avengers. This point of reference is considered mute since the Avengers Initiative began before Loki posed a threat to Earth.


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Red Skull: Already disclosed to be the foe of Captain America (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) during the WWII time frame of his solo film. A drawing in Tony Stark's father's (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) journal shown during Iron Man 2 may hint at the Cosmic Cube; a weapon of mass destruction the Red Skull has been known to wield in comic book canon.


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Hulk: Has yet to be used as a 'villain' in any film, but is already considered an active threat to national well-being. Loki's control over the Hulk in comic canon caused the formation of The Avengers. Again, this point of reference is considered mute since the Avengers Initiative began before Loki posed a threat to Earth.


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Skrulls: Never referenced in the films released to date; though Marvel President Kevin Feige has stated that, not only does the studio own the rights to the shape changing aliens, but would like to use them in their films. In comic book canon, the Skrulls had many sleeper agents disguised as an amalgam of characters for years before an actual invasion force was set into play. In the Ultimates Marvel stories, similar aliens were the cause of the formation of the Avengers, and not the Loki/Hulk combination.


Knowing that these films have not, and will not, precisely follow any comic book storyline, the best question to ask is: Which villain would be both beneficial for The Avengers plot and coincide with the information that has already been given?

One thing is certain, though; many more pieces to The Avengers movie puzzlehttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif (http://www.xbox360achievements.org/forum/#) will be revealed once Thor and Captain America hit theaters in the summer of 2011.

Article Source - Comicbookmovie.com

i know it's not containing any official details so to speak, but it's just a good article to speculate with.

i cant wait for the Avengers movie :)

[DreddPirate Rob]

Hope they go the Ultimates route and take on Hulk and/or the Chitauri. Which is just the Ultimate universes name for the Skrulls.

[Iconoclast]

Nice find! I'm excited to see which other characters will be incorporated into the list. It's shaping up to be great though, based on all the aforementioned tie-ins with other Marvel movies. It's got amazing potential.

[Pyrochaos]

I have heard loose talk about Hulk being the villian, but it would dissapoint me TBH. One of the huge subplots in Incredible Hulk the movie is control, and showing how Bruce was taking control over his Hulk persona through medetation and emotions.

Red Skull. Since he is confirmed to be played by Hugo Weaving in the Cap. Am. movie, this would be my main choice. I also wouldn't mind a different Dr. Doom, but it would fuck with the fantastic four movies, so Marvel probably wouldn't allow it.

[Iconoclast]

I have heard loose talk about Hulk being the villian

I hope not. Even as the Hulk, Bruce never actually played the villian character (although he was treated that way). It'd be a waste of a pretty key character if you ask me.

Plus, look at all the aforementioned options for real villians...Hulk would be much better served fighting evil, not as a part of it.

[Pyrochaos]

I agree, plus it would be a waste of Edward Nortan's acting ability.

[Iconoclast]

I agree, plus it would be a waste of Edward Nortan's acting ability.

To be honest, I thought Hulk was a waste of Edward Norton's acting ability. I mean, it was a HUGE step up from the Hulk movie that was released in 2000 with Jennifer Connolly and a bunch of other deadbeat actors (a remake was necessary, no doubt), but still didn't seem like it did the Hulk justice (being a nerd I actually followed the comic books, so it always makes me a bit angry when the corresponding movies don't follow the actual storyline...that's probably why I seldom truly enjoy movies based on comic books). But either way, The Avengers has a LOT of talent cast-wise if they plan on using the same actors, so I'm sure it will be entertaining at the very least.

[Pyrochaos]

Well it's always hard to stay true to source material on older comics, that have had tons of variations. I still like them cause I just like superheroes. Did you like Watchmen?

[KFZ Scrubs]

God.... if i wasn't excited enough for this already... shit i can't wait for the movie to come out.. thor or captain america will hold me off. I bet this will break Batman's record.....

[Iconoclast]

Well it's always hard to stay true to source material on older comics, that have had tons of variations. I still like them cause I just like superheroes. Did you like Watchmen?

To be honest I've never seen or read Watchmen. I remember thinking the preview looked interesting when I saw it in theatres ages ago, and I even think I downloaded it at some point, but I just never got around to watching it. My friend Rob had the book on his coffee table for the longest time and every time I went over to his place I always saw it and thought about asking to borrow it...but after punching a few cones and slamming some mad riffs in RB, I always forgot about it completely by the time I left. I'm sure I'll read/watch it at some point though. Would you recommend reading the book before watching the movie, or the other way around?

[Pyrochaos]

I read the book first, and love it, but there are 3 versions of the film.

-theatrical, directors cut, and ultimate cut.

The ultimate cut is the closest to the comic, but it's around 4 hours long. I feel the same way about it as I do with the extended cuts of Lord of the Rings. I can't even watch the theatrical anymore.

[Iconoclast]

The ultimate cut is the closest to the comic, but it's around 4 hours long. I feel the same way about it as I do with the extended cuts of Lord of the Rings. I can't even watch the theatrical anymore.

Agree 100%. We had a marathon one day of watching all the extended editions of the three LOTR movies...it only took us about 13 hours...we'll probably have to do it again sometime now that they're all out on Blu-Ray...oh gawd.

It might be long, but it's not worth watching it when there's stuff included but not included. It's like a popsicle without the stick; you can still eat it, but it's just not the same. <- Analogy win anyone?

Back OT, I wonder just how big Jackson's role will be in The Avengers. I mean, we know he's the director of SHIELD, but what exactly does that entain? Do you think we're going to get to see him in action? Maybe use some of those jedi mind tricks? Samaritan cunning? Reptile management? Oh boy, I could be here all day...he's in every movie EVER. Period.

[BedCommando]

Thought it was obvious. They're against this man!
http://www.primotechnology.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/kotickinvst.jpg

[Lord Yamikage]

[....]I bet this will break Batman's record.....

Probably, but I bet The Batman 3 will break new record for midnight release, weekend, $500 million domestic, and $1 billion worldwide. I still can't believe Avatar made $2.7 billions, really good movie, but $2.7 billion? Well, we'll see how the Batman 3 do.

[ApochWeiss]

Out of all of those listed above, The Skrulls seem to more likely candidate simply because of how marvel was pushing the recent Skrull invasion story line. However, I get the strange feeling this won't be the case. I have NO idea why but for some reason I'm thinking this may introduce The Sentry or something along those lines. I'm thinking Galactus, but that would be a story line that would involve the Fantastic Four, really, and Galactus hasn't been set up yet as far as I know. I mean, the first had Dr. Doom obviously, so he's been established, as well as Silver Surfer.

I NEVER SAW FANTASTIC FOUR 2 so I have no idea if Galactus was actually introduced or not. I'm not a fan of the FF series anyhow so I dunno what is going on in their world, comic or movie.

However when you step back and think about it, Thor is coming out soon, and I get the odd feeling that this film may very introduce the plot of Loki manipulating Hulk, so the more I think about it and the Hulk movie and Thor's posibilities, it would make sense. Then again, for all we know it could be Sinister Six. I mean, this IS Hollywood after all, and it wouldn't shock me if they completely violate which villains belong to who against Marvel's wishes haha.

Heh, watch it be against Arcade or the Marvel Zombies or something.

Did the Watcher happen to make an appearance in any of these films yet? Again, not familiar with the F4 movies so I dunno if he was introduced yet. If not, he may play some kind of roll in the movies. If he hasn't, then perhaps it's Galactus, the Devourer of Worlds since Silver Surfer was introduced...

[i m redshark]

I haven't seen F4 2 in a while, but I believed Galactus was introduced. Though he was never named, Silver Surfer always referred to his "master" and said that he devoured entire planets which I imagine only Galactus can do. Anyone else that could contribute better knowledge or information, feel free. Like I said, I haven't seen it in a while