10 More AVENGERS We Want to See on the Big Screen
by Troy Brownfield, Newsarama Columnist
Date: 05 July 2011 Time: 09:26 PM ET
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<i>By <a href=http://twitter.com/troybrownfield>Troy Brownfield, Newsarama Columnist</a></i> <p>The build up to <b>Marvel's The Avengers</b> continues at a frantic pace, with seemingly daily trailers and clips, and more hype from early fan screenings. We love Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hawkeye... but what about all those other Avengers? What about <i>cameos</i>? <p>Ignoring the unconfirmed speculation and prognostication, we'd like to take a minute to ruminate over the other Avengers from the team's long line of history that we'd like to see on screen. Granted, someone from this list could be showing up in the May 4, 2012 movie, but, assuming it does well (and the Mayans would have to be right for it to not open huge, right?), there are gonna be sequels. <p>Click Start Here to see our picks for 10 more Avengers we'd like to see on the big screen, and let us know your picks! <p><i>Got a comment? There's lots of conversation on Newsarama's <a href=http://www.facebook.com/Newsarama><b>FACEBOOK</b></a> and <a href=http://twitter.com/newsarama><b>TWITTER</b></a>!</i> <p>
What better way to introduce Jen than in a franchise that's already got her cousin in it? There's no learning curve from introducing the concept, as audiences already get the Hulk. She-Hulk also brings an interesting dimension of wise-cracking personality to the team, another profound difference between her and Bruce (aside from her femininity, of course). <p>She-Hulk has been eyed by Hollywood for quite some time (who can forget the Bridgette Nielsen test shots? Okay, maybe you should), and it would be cool to see her. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Beth Horn, most recently Venom of American Gladiators.
The second of four ladies on the list, Tigra's here partially because she represents a completely different character category: the archetypal were-person. The movies have been covering people in fur for decades, so Tigra would probably be an easy character to add. Her aggressive, playful persona could also bounce off of the other actors in a positive way. <p>We're also reminded that Tigra was indeed a member of the animated team of the '90s. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: the Internet has speculated on Michelle Rodriguez for Tigra before.
Pietro's defining character trait is that, well, he's a dick. Though Peter David famously explained Quicksilver's motivation for being a jerk in a terrific bit in X-Factor many years ago, the fact remains that an angry, unpleasant character type could create on-screen fireworks in interactions with the snarky Iron Man and the bemused Thor. There's the added bonus that Quicksilver represents a power set that we've yet to see fully explored in the Marvel films: super-speed. <p>Of course, we're not sure if or how Quicksilver's parentage might affect the character's inclusion (basically, he may belong to the X-film office), but we'd still like to see him, and if he doesn't, it would be a nice way to bring mutants into this corner of the Marvel Movie Universe. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Jensen Ackles of Supernatural.
Ms. Marvel remains Marvel's answer to Wonder Woman on a number of levels. For one thing, Marvel is IN HER NAME. For another, she's had a much stronger presence in the line in the past decade, bolstered by her own series and stand-out, critical roles in many Avengers stories. <p>On television, she appears regularly on Super-Hero Squad and had her origin set up in the first season of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Yes, we like She-Hulk, but Ms. Marvel is a flying, blasting, ass-kicking powerhouse with a military history and an attitude. Who wouldn't want to see her mixing it up with the (mostly) boys club? Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Did somebody say Tricia Helfer?
Character history closely associated with Captain America? Check. '90s animated membership? Yep. Super-Hero Squad member? Indeed. Awesome Mego figure in the '70s? Absolutely. Falcon also has that S.H.I.E.L.D. connection that the Marvel films love. <p>Falcon can also lay claim to being the first African-American super-hero in mainstream American comics (someone out there is shouting Black Panther!, but Panther's actually <i>African</i>, and will be checking in with us later in this very countdown). Also, Falcon's wings give him a striking visual that isn't replicated by any of the other characters. <p>We aren't sure if the movies would try to include Redwing, but hey, why not? The Falcon is a cool, historically significant hero that we'd love to see on screen. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Shemar Moore of Criminal Minds and yes, Birds of Prey.
If the Avengers movies go the way of Ultron, you've gotta have the Vision. Obviously, the team lacks a Spock, and that's what Vision gives you: a character of logical and rationality that possesses powers and abilities that none of the other team members have. The Vision is also one of the first characters that was created specifically to BE a member of the Avengers. <p>The character is connected in a number of ways to various cast members (including numbers one, two and three on our list) and could easily fulfill a number of roles in a plot. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: For some reason, we're thinking Harry Lloyd. To those of you saying, Who?, he's Viserys Targaryen from Game of Thrones.
People have been trying to get a Black Panther movie made for years. He's gotten his own animated series and he's in the cast of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Troy's wife has even complained that Black Panther doesn't get enough respect. He's also an incredibly useful HeroClix character. <p>What better way to set Black Panther up for a spin-off film or series that to induct him into the cinematic Avengers? Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Chiwetel Ejiofor. If you're unfamiliar with the name, perhaps you recall him from Serenity or Salt or Redbelt or 2012. Yeah, that guy. He can act, he can do the moves, and he's worked with Whedon. Wind him up, and watch Black Panther roll into the break-out character.
The second female member of the Avengers, Scarlet Witch has been involved in number of important moments. There's her romances with Vision and Wonder Man. There's the danger that she presents to our prohibitive favorite follow-up villain Ultron (check out <b>Avengers</b> #201 and 202 from the original run to see how highly Ultron regards her as a threat). And that's just the start of it. <p>Scarlet Witch has belonged to the main team, the West Coast team, and Force Works. She's been a leader, a friend, and a tragic enemy. Wanda's an extremely important figure in team history, and we'd like to see some of that on-screen. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: We kinda like Rose Byrne.
Founding Avenger. Team member under four distinct super-heroic identities. Leader of the '90s animated iteration and cast member of Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Only founding male <i>not</i> present in the first film (unless he shows up in a cameo, etc.). <p>Hank Pym is a science whiz from a completely different mold than Tony Stark or Bruce Banner. He's got a completely different power set than anybody else in the Marvel movie universe. He's the guy responsible for the creation of Ultron (whom you may recall us backing as a future villain). These days, Hank's still a mighty Avenger in the comics, handling the instruction of the youngsters of Avengers Academy. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Nathan Fillion.
It's a crime that the sole founding female member, the Avengers' first lady, isn't included in the film. Granted, we hear rumors of a Jan appearance, but that doesn't faze us. Wasp has been a team member of long-standing, a team leader, and appeared in every animated version of the team. Witness her value on Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, where she fulfills roles comedic, romantic, and feisty. <p>The Wasp is an excellent team player that would fit in well with an on-screen Avengers ensemble. Semi-obligatory casting suggestion: Though rumors surrounded Eva Longoria at a couple of points, we'll take equally frequently rumored Morena Baccarin.
