The Avengers, the movie that multitudes of Marvel maniacs have been discussing ad nauseum for over three years now is almost upon us. And the movie’s financial success is pretty much a foregone conclusion at this point, so a sequel is likely to be green-lit the Monday after it opens.
That realization got us wondering- What classic characters will be recruited into the next Avengers Initiative? And who should play them? A few years ago, we gave our ideal Avengers cast for the first film! Here, Geekscape is at it again as we assemble some of our best ideas on who should suit up for Avengers 2!
ALAN TUDYK as GIANT MAN
First off, let’s assume that writer/director Joss Whedon is brought back for the next chapter due to universal fan approval (that happens, right?). Like most directors, Whedon loves to cast actors that he knows can deliver and Alan Tudyk has been stealing scenes since Firefly. Tudyk can bring the intellect, awkwardness, and, yes, even darkness to the role of inventor/hero Hank Pym.
MAURISSA TANCHAROEN as WASP
Tudyk may be in Whedon’s inner circle, but smart and spunky writer/actress Maurissa Tancharoen is family, having recently married his brother Jed. Tancharoen’s dancing background should help her with the flying wirework as she brings the final founding Avenger to the sky and screen.
CAM GIGANDET as QUICKSILVER
The next two Avengers in comics were reformed mutant terrorists Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. Quicksilver’s super speed makes him a formidable fighter, but gives him little patience for others. Gigandet’s turn as a cocky, misanthropic pilot in Pandorum makes him a great choice to play Magneto’s son.
ROONEY MARA as SCARLET WITCH
Mara’s star-making performance in 2011’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo gave her a chance to show off her strength with action, accents, and insanity. She’ll need all three to play Quicksilver’s powerful but off-kilter sister.
AARON STATON as VISION
With Scarlet Witch in the mix, her synthetic sometime husband would be a smart addition. Staton brings a simplicity that comes off as serene rather than vapid as Ken Cosgrove on AMC’s Mad Men, perfect for the passionless Vision. Plus, Staton’s motion-captured detective Cole Phelps from Rockstar Games’s L.A. Noire already showed us that he can pull off the “creepy lifeless android” thing.
COLM FEORE as ULTRON
Hank Pym’s misguided breakthrough in artificial intelligence is one of the Avengers’ most fearsome villains, and Feore’s cold, terrifying performance in Stephen King’s Storm of the Century give him all the evil cred he needs.
ANNA TORV as MS. MARVEL
Some fan-favorite New Avengers might jump the line and join the cast, such as USAF officer-turned-superhero Carol Danvers. Anna Torv already plays a super-powered government worker on Fox’s Fringe and is one of very few humans who could pull off that costume.
MICHAEL JAI WHITE as LUKE CAGE
White has already played a superhero in the terrible live-action Spawn film, but he didn’t get a chance to show off his attitude and fighting skills. If Black Dynamite had bulletproof skin… Wait, maybe this should be its own movie.
MIA KIRSHNER as SPIDER-WOMAN
Kirshner was sexy and dangerous as recurring assassin Mandy on 24, proving she has what it takes to bring SHIELD/HYDRA double agent and super-powered femme fatale Jessica Drew to life.
JOE MANGANIELLO as HERCULES
Few men have the body to emulate a god (or demi-god), but Manganiello’s True Blood nude scenes keep him in the gym pretty perpetually. A recurring role on How I Met Your Mother showed the former Flash Thompson’s comedy chops, which he’d need to pull off the mirthful Prince of Power.
Did we miss? Hit? What other AVENGERS would you like to see in a sequel? Let Geekscape know in the comments below!