The Avengers are one of the most successful movie franchises of all time. The superhero team has been a Marvel Comics’ staple, and with good reason.
Here are 42 heroic facts about The Avengers.
The Avengers Facts
42. Muscle Man
Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor in the films, had to up his caloric intake to maintain his muscular physique. He said he had to eat his body weight in grams of protein every day. That’s a lot of protein.
41. Lie Down
When Thor and The Hulk are fighting in the hanger, the fighter jet that breaks The Hulk’s fall is the same jet that was used in the movie True Lies.
The Avengers (2012), Paramount Pictures
40. Substitute
The Avengers came about when there was a printing delay on Daredevil #1. Stan Lee threw a bunch existing heroes into a team to rival DC’s Justice League.
39. Dated
Iron Man’s suit has changed with the times, but the original suit was often shown being plugged into wall sockets for regular charging. Sounds like a cell phone.
Iron Man (2008), Paramount Pictures
38. Waspy
The Wasp, wife of Ant Man, was the one who came up with the name The Avengers. The Wasp and Ant Man were pivotal in the creation of the team, and many fans were upset that they were left out of the films.
37. Witch Way
Scarlet Witch once became pregnant after getting involved with The Vision, despite him being an android. It was later revealed that Scarlet Witch had created her children using her magical mutant powers.
The Avengers - Infinity War, Marvel Studios
36. Clown Town
The Hulk, after being defeated by The Avengers in their first issue, took refuge in a travelling circus disguised as a mechanical clown.
35. Professional Rivalry
The Avengers once had a Justice League crossover where the heroes got to visit each other’s version of Earth and note their differences. The two teams fought, but also teamed up to take on their enemies.
34. Confusing
There’s a British TV show called The Avengers that has nothing to do with Marvel’s Avengers. The show predates the superhero team by about 2 years, and is about British spies.
The Avengers ,ITV (TV network)
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33. Late Night
The Avengers once appeared as guests on Late Night With David Letterman. They were ambushed by a villain who tried to take them out with camera mounted lasers. Letterman saved them by knocking out the villain with a giant doorknob. Definitely number one on the top five things to do with a giant doorknob.
32. Does He Look Like
Marvel never got Samuel L. Jackson’s permission to use his likeness in The Ultimates. When Samuel found out and contacted them, Marvel promised to cast him as Nick Fury in the films, a promise that they’ve kept. Not bad at all.
Iron Man 2 (2010), Paramount Pictures
31. Panther Punch
Black Panther, having found out about Red Skull’s virus that wiped out all ethnic minorities in America, put a beat down on Red Skull. In fact, Black Panther didn’t stop until he knocked the villain’s jaw clean off.
30. Anger Issues
The Hulk has fought The Avengers multiple times, and in the early years, one such battle was ended with The Hulk becoming so enraged that he turned back into Bruce Banner. This was done by Stan Lee to prevent the battle from continuing forever, as The Hulk grows stronger the more enraged he becomes.
The Avengers (2012), Paramount Pictures
29. Married Who?
Captain Marvel once became pregnant with the child of the villain Marcus Immortus. In the controversial and nonsensical Avengers #200, Captain Marvel gave birth to Marcus Immortus, and immediately fell in love with him, later marrying him. The story was later explained as mind control and never mentioned again.
Captain Marvel, Marvel Studios
28. Captain Who?
Captain America is the leader of The Avengers in the movies, as well as the comics. The Captain didn’t actually join the team until their fourth issue.
27. Lannisters
Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are brother and sister, but in The Ultimates they were also lovers. The Avengers: Age Of Ultron wisely chose to ignore this storyline when adapting the movie.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Studios
26. Exodus
By issue 16, The Avengers underwent their first major roster change. Iron Man, Thor, The Wasp and Ant Man all left the team. Only Captain America stayed, and brought on Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and Scarlet Witch; all of which had been portrayed as villains in earlier appearances.
25. Widowed
Black Widow was revealed to be a traitor in The Ultimates, and even helped orchestrate the slaughter of Hawkeye’s family. Hawkeye got his revenge in the series.
The Avengers (2012), Paramount Pictures
24. Civil Servant
After Captain America was seemingly shot and killed, Hawkeye took up the shield and costume. The new Captain was short lived, as Hawkeye decided to join the Outlaw Avengers instead.
23. In Two
During Avengers Disassembled, many Avengers were killed by Scarlet Witch. The worst Avenger death belonged to The Vision, who was literally ripped in half by She-Hulk. His android parts seemed very human, and were seen pouring out.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Studios
22. Fountain Of Youth
Black Widow may seem to be a young woman, but looks can be deceiving. Her youthful appearance can be accredited to the super soldier serum she was given. Black Widow is in fact well over 70 years old. Like a fine wine, we say.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Studios
21. Not So Popular
Not everyone wants to be an Avenger. Spider-Man and Daredevil have both turned down multiple offers to join the superhero team. Even current members like The Hulk refused to join The Avengers for over 50 years.
20. Comic Book GOAT
The first film, The Avengers beat out the previous highest grossing film comic book film of all time, The Dark Knight. It’s currently the 5th highest grossing film of all time, with the sequel The Avengers: Age Of Ultron sitting at number 7. Two top 10 grossing films of all time in the same franchise, safe to say there will be plenty more Avengers films.
19. No Norton
Though he played Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk, Edward Norton was not cast in The Avengers because the director considered him not creative enough, and “lacking the collaborative spirit.” His loss is Mark Ruffalo’s gain.
18. Foodie
Robert Downey Jr. kept food hidden all over the lab set. no one from production could find it, so they let him keep doing it. When he’s seen eating and offering food to Captain America, that’s some of the food Downey had hidden on set. Good food is hard to come by, even on a big production set.
The Avengers (2012), Paramount Pictures
17. Original Hulk
Marvel couldn’t get Hulk’s roar to sound just right, so they used recordings done by Lou Ferrigno, the bodybuilder and actor who played The Hulk in the original tv show. Talk about a throw back thursday!
16. Hiddlesnubbed
Tom Hiddleston originally screen tested for Thor, and even gained 50 lbs of muscle for the role. Casting decided he would be a better fit for Loki, Thor’s mischievous brother.
15. Lohands Off!
Lindsay Lohan auditioned for the role of Scarlet Witch. Other actors that were considered were Saoirse Ronan, Sasha Peiterse, and Mila Kunis. The part ended up going to Elizabeth Olsen, who is the sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.
14. Show Me The Money
Robert Downey Jr. made twice as much money as the entire cast of the first film, but 40% was held until filming was done.
13. Shawarming Up To It
After the movie was released in theatres, shawarma sales in Los Angeles, St. Louis and Boston went through the roof. This is accredited to the scene where the team grabs a bite at a shawarma shop.
The Avengers (2012), Paramount Pictures
12. Training Days
Jeremy Renner, while preparing for the role of Hawkeye, got training from Olympic archers. Though Renner is left handed, he needed to shoot the bow ambidextrously in the films, and can be seen shooting with both hands.
11. Hulking Physique
The Hulk’s body was modelled after Long Island body builder and male stripper Steve Romm. The Hulk’s face was modelled after Mark Ruffalo’s, which makes sense.
10. Longoria Shot
In the original script, Joss Whedon planned to have both The Wasp and Ant Man appear in The Avengers (2012), but both were eventually cut because the cast was already so big. Eva Longoria was slated to play The Wasp.
9. Breaking Character
The film was shot close by to Breaking Bad, and Samuel L. Jackson wanted a walk on cameo in the hit show. Eventually he was told there wasn’t any time for him to spare, and the cameo was scrapped.
8. Incredible Coincidence
Mark Ruffalo was director Louis Leterrier’s first choice to play Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk. Leterrier said Marvel told him to cast Edward Norton because he was “more famous.”
7. Double Up
Whedon originally wanted two villains, thinking that Loki wouldn’t be enough to keep the entire team at bay, but Marvel rejected the idea. We’re not complaining, Hiddleston has all of our attention.
6. Choker
Tony Stark has been choked in every Marvel film he’s appeared in. In Age Of Ultron it’s Thor that chokes him, and the scene even appears in the trailer.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Studios
5. Girl Power
Thor’s hammer Mjolnir is said to be only wielded by those who it deems worthy, and wouldn’t you know it, Black Widow is worthy. In Age Of Ultron, everyone but Black Widow tries to lift the hammer, and fails.
4. Whoa
Age Of Ultron has over 3,000 visual effects in the film, making it the movie with the most visual effects ever. The previous title holder was Guardians Of The Galaxy.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015), Marvel Studios
3. Eyes On The Prize
Age Of Ultron’s trailer received over 34 million views in 24 hours, making it the highest viewed Marvel movie trailer of all time.
2. Japanese Tags
The release of the first Avengers movie ignited outrage in Japan because it was promoted with the tagline “Hey Japan, this is a movie.” .” A lot of Japanese critics thought the tagline was insensitive and offensive, akin to colonialists saying “Hey native people, this is culture.” To make matters worse, Captain America has been depicted as killing several Japanese soldiers in the comic books. Way to know your audience, Marvel.
1. Double Down
Scarlett Johansson was pregnant during the filming of The Avengers: Age Of Ultron, which led to 3 stunt doubles getting hired, which led to a lot of confusion on set. Chris Evans, who plays Captain America even said that he would start a conversation with a double, only to realize mid conversation that it was Scarlett he was talking to.
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