Natalie Portman & Stellan Skarsgård Confirmed For Avengers

It looks like there will be more cross-pollinating in the Marvel universe. BadTaste has word from Chris Hemsworth that Natalie Portman will be returning as Jane Foster in The Avengers. It was also recently mentioned by Stellan Skarsgård himself that he would be reprising his role of Professor Erik Selvig in the film as well. They join an already impressive cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Clark Gregg and Cobie Smulders.

This news makes me wonder if Pepper Potts and Rhodey/War Machine will eventually show up in the film as well. As both Don Cheadle and Gwyneth Paltrow have given the impression neither had been approached and will stay in the Iron Man films.

FIRST LOOK: Jeremy Renner As Hawkeye In Thor

While some may assume this a spoiler we don't get a great look at his face and it's expected Clint Barton (Hawkeye) played by Jeremy Renner actually has a larger role in Thor than was previously expected.

RUMOR: Yvonne Strahovski Playing Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel) In Avengers

ComicBookMovie is reporting a rumor from a fansite of Chuck actress Yvonne Strahovski that she has been cast as SHIELD agent Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel) in The Avengers. Danvers is SHIELD agent/pilot and is exposed to otherworldly radiation giving her the powers of a Kree warrior (flight, super-strength).

It's unlikely this is true as it's not coming from a proven source but it is possible. Since How I Met Your Mother's Cobie Smudlers is a frontrunner for Maria Hill means they could be looking for lesser known names to fill supporting roles. I assume they've spent a majority of their budget on the leading actors along with production costs. Supporting roles would be big breaks for up and coming actors. I imagine they would be signing multi-picture deals similar to ones Sam Jackson and Scarlett Johansson have made.

There have been Marvel connections to Chuck before. Zachary Levi who portrays Chuck was linked for both Fendral (Thor) and Bucky (Captain America). I expect that Levi will end up in a Marvel role eventually. Josh Schwartz who writes for the show helped develop the script for X-Men First Class with Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz. Miller and Stentz worked on the Thor screenplay for Marvel Studios.

Avengers Bringing In Another Heroine?

While recent Avengers rumors have been debunked a new one coming from HollywoodReporter seems a bit more reasonable. They say that Marvel Studios is looking to add another actress to balance the mostly male cast. It's interesting they mention it could be Wasp who had been mentioned over a year ago. Yet it could also be Scarlet Witch who was going be featured in Iron Man 2. Witch was cut out out the film when Emily Blunt left the role of Black Widow and was filled by Scarlett Johansson. Director Jon Favreau stated in an interview with Wizard Magazine Johansson was originally lined up for Scarlett Witch.

 Of course this could also mean a slew other female characters could come into play. These could include Maria Hill, Carol Danvers (Ms. Marvel), Mockingbird (Hawkeye's partner), Sharon Carter and Jessica Drew (Spider-Woman). 

Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye To Have Cameo In Thor

There had been word from Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker, The Town) back in 2009 when he spoke to Empire that his character Hawkeye could appear in Thor. Now TheWrap reports that someone has seen an early cut of Thor and confirms that Hawkeye indeed is in the film. Nick Fury on the other hand who had been attached to early cast listings of Thor is not.

While they don't mention the extent of Clint Barton's involvement in the film. It's expected the cameo could be similar to apperances made by Nick Fury, Agent Coulson and Black Widow in previous films. It would be sort of an introduction to the archer before The Avengers in 2012 which is very smart on the studio's part. The less time spent explaining new characters in Avengers the better.

MARVEL UPDATES: Jon Favreau Not Directing Iron Man 3 & Pepper Not In Avengers

Vulture has learned that Jon Favreau has passed on directing Iron Man 3 for Marvel Studios. The site claims that Jon was frustrated over the studios' insistence to cram more of their heroes into the next film. One of the biggest hindrance of Iron Man 2 was the fact audiences has to endure over saturation of Marvel Easter eggs. From the pointless Captain America shield scene to the one to many Nick Fury appearances. While I doubt Iron Man 2 will be his last Marvel property I do expect him never to do another Iron Man. Of course this has yet to be confirmed by either Marvel/Disney or the director himself.

Jon is now branching out his genre brush with Cowboys & Aliens mixing science fiction with the classic western.  I'd love to see Jon tackle some hybrid Marvel heroes like Iron Fist, Black Panther and even Dr. Strange in the future. Now that Iron Man 3 is without a director I'm curious if they'll still be aiming for the May 2013 release date.

As expected Gwyneth Paltrow has confirmed that her character Pepper Potts will not be appearing in The Avengers. It's been mentioned previously that neither Jim Rhodes (War Machine) or Pepper Potts would be included in the Avengers films. Making perfect sense as not to over crowd the budding new franchise and to leave the Iron Man films somewhat separate.