Shooting for glory! Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner are unleashed in new Avengers photos
By
Mike LarkinLast updated at 8:04 AM on 30th September 2011
They are the least known characters in next year's hotly tipped blockbuster contender The Avengers.
But Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow and Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye were front and centre in newly released stills from the film.
Scarlett is playing Russian superspy Natasha Romanoff, who is armed to the teeth with a selection of advanced weaponry.
Gunning for glory: Scarlett Johannson and Jeremy Renner will be hoping to make their little-known characters Black Widow and Hawkeye cult icons when the movie comes out next year
She appeared in Iron Man 2 as a supporting character, but will be getting equal status with Robert Downey Jr in the new film.
Jeremy Renner's character is even less well known, and only made a brief cameo appearance in this year's blockbuster hit Thor.
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But as a token human in a superhero team that includes god of thunder Thor and nuclear powered wrecking machine The Hulk, he will play a key role when he is unleashed.
Despite her status as a Hollywood sex symbol, Scarlett, 26, said told Entertainment Weekly she needed to be reassured she was not being overshadowed by her fellow characters.
She said: 'The other day we were doing this big reveal shot of all the Avengers.
'Thor has got his hammer, Cap’s got his shield, Hawkeye has his bow and arrow, and Hulk is huge.
'Then it pans over to me and I’ve got guns. Iron Man’s like, hovering above all of us, ready to go.
'I was like, ‘Joss [Wheldon]… um… do I look okay holding these guns?’
The director reassured her, saying: 'She’s a total badass. She’s a killing machine.'
Jeremy, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Hurt Locker in 2009, has said he is relishing being in a superhero film, despite taking more heavyweight roles in the past.
But the 40-year-old said he has to approach the role differently than the likes of the practically invulnerable Hulk,.
Up to speed: Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man character will have to explain modern day life to Captain America
He said: 'The only sort of thing I cling to is the relationship of past experiences with Scarlett’s character, with them both being human. I can cling to that.'
But since he is the only person who can stop Bruce Banner's alter-ego in the middle of a rampage, it could be argued he is the most important member of the team.
Jeremy said: He’s the only one who can really take down The Hulk with his tranq tip arrows.
'He knows his limitations, but when it comes down to it, there has to be a sense of confidence in any superhero.'
Nice work if you can find it: Jeremy watches Scarlettt show off her athleticism as they took part in filming
Another shot that was released was of Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr having a discussion on the set of the movie.
The former was dressed up in his Captain America outfit, while the latter looked far more laid back in casual clothes.
One of the most interesting plot strands in the movie according to Chris, 30, will be seeing his character adapt to the modern world after being trapped in ice at the end of the Second World War.
He said: 'It’s just about him trying to come to terms with the modern world.
That looks tight: Chris managed to look the part thanks to his tailor-made outfit
'You’ve got to imagine, it’s enough of a shock to accept the fact that you’re in a completely different time, but everybody you know is dead, everybody you cared about.
'He was a soldier. Obviously everybody he went to battle with, all of his brothers in arms, they’re all dead. He’s just lonely.
'I think in the beginning it’s a fish out of water scene, and it’s tough. It’s a tough pill for him to swallow.
'Then comes trying to find a balance with the modern world.'
Three's company: Jeremy's witty anecdote raised a giggle from Chris as they relaxed between takes
And Robert admitted his initial ideas about how the movie should progress ended up being left by the wayside, despite his steadfast pitch to writer and director Wheldon.
He said: 'Well, I said, ‘I need to be in the opening sequence. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Tony needs to drive this thing.
'He was like, "Okay, let’s try that." We tried it and it didn’t work, because this is a different sort of thing.
'The story and the idea and the theme is the theme, and everybody is just an arm of the octopus.'
But he joked he tried to rebel against the new direction.
He said: 'But what was I like, as usual, just f—ing aggressive and hurtful. Whatever, the usual.'
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