10 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Joss Whedon's THE AVENGERS Movie

The Avengers is the biggest CBM of all-time, and the story behind how it was made and the creative decisions will blow your mind! Even that shawarma scene didn't play out the way you thought.

By JoshWilding - Jun 02, 2016 08:06 AM EST

Filed Under: Avengers

Four years later, and The Avengers remains the most successful comic book movie of all-time. The Dark Knight Rises, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice are just a few of the adaptations which have followed and failed to beat its mighty box office haul, while many fans still consider the Joss Whedon helmed release to be the greatest superhero movie ever to hit theaters.

Agree or disagree, there's no denying that The Avengers was and is something special, especially as Marvel Studios made history by taking all of these characters, putting them in the one movie, and have it work spectacularly. With a movie as big as this one, the story behind how it was brought to the big screen and why certain decisions were made are inevitably fascinating, and in some cases, shocking.

What you'll find here then is a look at ten amazing facts you never knew about The Avengers. From how and why that shawarma scene happened to plans for other heroes and villains, and who REALLY killed Agent Coulson, these may end up changing how you look at the movie next time you watch it.

10. Joss Whedon Wanted To Add A Second Villain

Joss Whedon clashed with Marvel Studios a few times while making Avengers: Age of Ultron, but one of the biggest disagreements on the first movie revolved around the director's belief that it needed a second, more physical villain for Earth's Mightiest Heroes to exchange blows with.

The filmmaker has never revealed who that would be (could it have been a returning Abomination?), but explained: "I have four of the biggest, baddest… just the toughest guys out there – and I have one effete British character actor… The ace in the hole is Tom Hiddleston, because he’s so compelling and commanding and gracious about it that it became, ‘Oh it’s about how he gets in their heads – it’s going to be fine. But it took me a long time to accept that because they need someone to hit!" The team obviously ended up clashing with Loki's Chitauri army instead, while Loki would get a beating from The Hulk!

One of the wittiest lines in The Avengers came when Bruce Banner talks about Loki, saying: "That guy’s brain is a bag full of cats. You can smell crazy on him." However, it's since been revealed that that moment was actually setting up a later scene between The Hulk and God of Mischief which would have featured Loki making multiple versions of himself (something we had seen in Thor the year before) and the Jade Giant sniffing out the real version before giving him a pasting.

Talking about that memorable scene, Joss Whedon has since said: "If I had done nothing else the last two years, and done only that scene of Hulk throwing around Loki, it would be enough. I fought hard for that sequence because I believed it would be the best thing ever." It's amazing to think that Whedon had to fight for a scene which is arguably one of the most memorable in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, don't you think?

Back Next

8. The Secret Meaning Behind "Avengers Assemble!"

If you count Captain America: Civil War, we've now had three movies revolving around The Avengers without hearing the iconic "Avengers Assemble!" line. It was teased at the end of Avengers: Age of Ultron of course, but as of right now, it seem like that's something being saved for Infinity War. However, it turns out that the line had a very different meaning on the set of the first movie.

It's been revealed in interviews since the movie was released that when Chris Evans wanted to hang out with his follow cast members, a text would be sent out saying the line, a very different way to use that call to arms for Earth's Mightiest Heroes. "Chris [Evans] sent us a text that said, 'Avengers assemble at such and such bar, at 9 o’clock on Saturday night,'" Chris Hemsworth explained back in 2012 while promoting the movie. "That was a good group effort. We paid for it at work, the next couple of days."

Back Next

7. The Wasp Was Supposed To Appear

Man, The Wasp just can't catch a break can she? Cut from Captain America: Civil War after being introduced at the end of Ant-Man, the character also featured in an earlier draft of The Avengers (there's even concept art out there of her assembling alongside the rest of the team). The character was originally included because Joss Whedon was unsure about Scarlett Johansson returning as the Black Widow, but the fact that he loves Janet Van Dyne also played a role in why she was included.

"There was a very Wasp-y draft that I wrote - but it was way too Wasp-y," he's since explained. "Because I was like, ‘She adorable! I’m just going to write her!'" How she would have factored into the movie is hard to say, but another reason she didn't make the cut is because Marvel wanted to give Edgar Wright time to finish working on Ant-Man, hence why Whedon never considered also using Hank Pym/Scott Lang here.

Back Next

6. The Story Behind Harry Dean Stanton's Cameo

One of the most unexpected and pleasant surprises in The Avengers has to be Alien star Harry Dean Stanton making a cameo appearance as the security guard who discovers Bruce Banner after The Hulk falls from the Helicarrier. The whole thing came about when Joss Whedon learned that his cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (Atonement) was working on documentary Harry Dean Stanton: Partly Fiction, and keen to add the legendary actor in some way, the filmmaker went on to pen twelve pages of dialogue between Bruce Banner and the security guard.

Very little of that ended up making the final cut (which, let's face it, is pretty understandable), but a longer version of the scene was included on the Blu-ray. Stan Lee's cameo was also originally very different as he featured in a scene where he could be seen egging Steve Rogers on to ask a waitress - who Cap later saves - for her number.

Back Next

5. Kevin Feige Killed Agent Coulson

Joss Whedon has a habit of killing characters we love (are any of us over Serenity yet?), but it turns out that he wasn't the one who made the fateful decision about Agent Coulson in The Avengers. Instead, it was Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, and Coulson's death is something he wanted to move forward with before the director even signed up to work on the movie.

"In our first meeting Kevin Feige said, this is what we're gonna do and I said, 'Oh but you have to go out there and tell everybody that it was your idea because this is going to get me so much shit," Whedon has since explained in a Reddit Q&A. "Because they are all going to be like, 'Oh he did it again!' It was stipulated from the beginning, and I completely agree that it was the right thing to do, and so did Clark." Of course, Coulson would later be resurrected for Marvel TV, but given the division there, it's doubtful Feige liked that.

Back Next

4. Only One Scene Was Shot Exactly How It Appeared In The Script

Joss Whedon has revealed that he was pretty much still writing The Avengers as they went along, making changes as shooting took place and obviously improvising a little with Robert Downey Jr. However, despite a little bit of behind the scenes chaos, you'll no doubt be surprised to learn that only ONE scene from the screenplay appeared on screen exactly as it did the page. That is the one featuring Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow being held captive and interrogated.

A lover of Russian literature and language in school, Whedon was excited to finally use that in a movie, while he had been hoping to write a scene featuring a female hero breaking out of a chair since early on in his career. The filmmaker has since praised Johansson's work here, describing her as, "so game; night shoots are deadly if you don’t have someone really in it and having fun, and that’s Scarlett." Please just direct Black Widow next, Joss...

Back Next

3. Jeremy Renner Trained With Olympic Archers To Play Hawkeye

Poor old Hawkeye didn't exactly have a very good time of it in The Avengers as he spent most of the movie under Loki's mind control. However, he still make quite the impact by showing off some impressive archery skills, something actor Jeremy Renner went to great lengths to prepare for. "I practised with Olympic archers, who gave me a few lessons," he revealed. "I learned the basics and the proper positions and that really helped."

That alone would usually be an interesting enough factoid, but it doesn't seem as if those lessons paid off. Following the release of the movie, archery aficionado Jim MacQuarrie told Wired that Hawkeye handles his bow "like a rank amateur." He went on to say that he's seem students just coming to the art make the same sort of mistakes, and while most of us probably didn't notice, it seems like Hawkeye's lack of skills with a bow and arrow stuck out like a sore thumb for some.

Back Next

2. Why Gwyneth Paltrow Showed Up As Pepper Potts

There was no sign of Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts in Captain America: Civil War despite rumours to the contrary, and clearly not even Robert Downey Jr. could convince her to reprise the role one more time. He did back in 2012 though, and actually insisted that Marvel include her here because he wanted to continue developing their relationship from Iron Man 2. It sounds like it took Joss Whedon a little time to get used to the actor's influence too, though it thankfully didn't end up negatively impacting the movie.

"Robert is extremely hands-on. One of the first things he said is, ‘I will never mess with your intent. I will question every day how you plan to get there. But I will never mess with what you’re trying to accomplish.’ We had to sniff each other out. Because I’m used to having people do everything I say, and so is he. What we found was, one of my favorite collaborations that I’ve ever had."

Back Next

1. Chris Evans' Hidden Beard

Exclusive to American audiences, The Avengers featured an after-credits scene with the members of Earth's Mightiest Heroes treating themselves to some shawarma after that hard fought battle with Loki. The whole thing was based off a line which was added to the movie at the last minute when Robert Downey Jr. suggested that Tony needed to wake up and say something a little more exciting than, "What's next?", but the scene above wasn't shot until TWO DAYS after the premiere!

While it proved to be easy enough to get the rest of the cast back in their costumes, Chris Evans had a beard at the time, and was forced to wear a prosthetic which made it damn near impossible for him to move his mouth. That's why we see him covering his face and not eating in this scene, and if you look closely enough, you'll notice that Mark Ruffalo is struggling to hold back laughter as he looks at his understandably miserable co-star!

Which of these facts about The Avengers is your favourite? Which other movies would you like us to take a closer look at? As always, share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Liked this? Try these:

► 10 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY
► 10 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Sam Raimi's SPIDER-MAN Trilogy

Back

Coca-Cola x Marvel Commercial Brings Iconic Comic Characters To Life In The Coolest Way Possible

Recommended For You:

AVENGERS: 8 More Comic Book Villains We Still Need To See The Team Assemble Against In The MCU

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

99 Comments

1 2 3

incredibleTalk - 6/2/2016, 9:04 AM

.....not my Avengers....NEXT button though!!!!!

SmellofDuty - 6/2/2016, 9:08 AM

I don't mind the next button...

SmellofDuty - 6/2/2016, 9:10 AM

I know that may be blasphemous. So I expect a decent stoning.

Mick808 - 6/2/2016, 9:31 AM

@SmellofDuty - nothing wrong with getting decently stoned

four20smoke - 6/2/2016, 10:08 AM

@Mick808 - yeah tell me about it....

theInvincibleMexiMan - 6/2/2016, 9:12 AM

I havent complained about the next button cause hey, guys gotta make a living somehow. And I'm not even complaining about it now.

But jaysus this was a shitty list. I mean, this is just stuff that was coming up in interviews when the movie came out. This is buzzfeed style clickbaity stuff you already know about.

I am disappointed, Josh.

Fogs - 6/2/2016, 9:54 AM

@theInvincibleMexiMan - He does that a lot. Recussitates old stories and makes a list with them. A super classy way of making a buck.

Dommeatm - 6/2/2016, 10:42 AM

@theInvincibleMexiMan - "Guys got to make a living" He should try doing something he's good at.

WellDrawn - 6/2/2016, 9:20 AM

Top ten articles Josh hasn't thought of yet - Come on guys, the man must be running out of ideas by now, he needs our help!

SuperCat - 6/2/2016, 9:21 AM

RolandD - 6/2/2016, 9:23 AM

I have to admit I'm glad I read it, "Nexts" and all. I did not know about the shawarma scene and often wondered why Cap looked like he was about to go to sleep. lol

incredibleTalk - 6/2/2016, 9:24 AM

....how bout' the "10 Things you didn't know about the gum under your theater seat!"

RolandD - 6/2/2016, 9:26 AM

"Amazing facts" is pushing it way too far, though.

Next article-Top ten commenters on Comic Book Movies.

1 2 3

Related Headlines

Transformers

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Marvel Comics

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Marvel Studios

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

MarkCassidy

12 hours ago

Related Headlines

Transformers

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Marvel Comics

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Marvel Studios

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

MarkCassidy

12 hours ago

Avengers

Coca-Cola x Marvel Commercial Brings Iconic Comic Characters To Life In The Coolest Way Possible

JoshWilding

Apr 09, 2024 05:04 AM

Avengers: Secret Wars

SPIDER-MAN Director Sam Raimi Wants To Helm AVENGERS: SECRET WARS But Hasn't Been Asked...Yet

JoshWilding

Apr 02, 2024 01:04 PM

Avengers: Secret Wars

Action

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's New Movie Gives The Big Twist Away... Or Does It?

MarkCassidy

2 hours ago

Marvel Comics

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Latest Headlines

Transformers

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

MarkCassidy

1 hour ago

Action

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's New Movie Gives The Big Twist Away... Or Does It?

MarkCassidy

2 hours ago

Marvel Comics

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

JoshWilding

2 hours ago

Batman vs. Superman

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Sci-Fi

REBEL MOON: PART TWO Described As "Marginally Better Than PART ONE" In First Reactions

MarkCassidy

3 hours ago

Spider-Man

SPIDER-MAN 4: Here's The Latest On Marvel Studios' Hunt For A Director (And Who ISN'T In The Mix)

JoshWilding

3 hours ago

Hot Headlines

184 comments

SUPERMAN: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Finds Its Martha "Ma" Kent

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

140 comments

Hollywood Producer Slams MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

104 comments

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MarkCassidy

20 hours ago EST

101 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

18 hours ago EST

98 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

More Cartoons & Animated ►

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

More Anime & Manga ►

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

More Pro Wrestling ►

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

More Pro Wrestling ►

10 Amazing Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Joss Whedon's THE AVENGERS Movie

The Avengers is the biggest CBM of all-time, and the story behind how it was made and the creative decisions will blow your mind! Even that shawarma scene didn't play out the way you thought.

10. Joss Whedon Wanted To Add A Second Villain

9. A Scrapped Hulk/Loki Sequence

8. The Secret Meaning Behind "Avengers Assemble!"

7. The Wasp Was Supposed To Appear

6. The Story Behind Harry Dean Stanton's Cameo

5. Kevin Feige Killed Agent Coulson

4. Only One Scene Was Shot Exactly How It Appeared In The Script

3. Jeremy Renner Trained With Olympic Archers To Play Hawkeye

2. Why Gwyneth Paltrow Showed Up As Pepper Potts

1. Chris Evans' Hidden Beard

Coca-Cola x Marvel Commercial Brings Iconic Comic Characters To Life In The Coolest Way Possible

AVENGERS: 8 More Comic Book Villains We Still Need To See The Team Assemble Against In The MCU

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

Coca-Cola x Marvel Commercial Brings Iconic Comic Characters To Life In The Coolest Way Possible

SPIDER-MAN Director Sam Raimi Wants To Helm AVENGERS: SECRET WARS But Hasn't Been Asked...Yet

AVENGERS: SECRET WARS Rumored To Feature A Long-Awaited Reunion For Two MCU Fan-Favorites - SPOILERS

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

SUPERMAN: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Finds Its Martha "Ma" Kent

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's New Movie Gives The Big Twist Away... Or Does It?

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's New Movie Gives The Big Twist Away... Or Does It?

ALIENS VS. AVENGERS Comic Book Crossover On The Way From Marvel's SECRET WARS Creative Team

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

REBEL MOON: PART TWO Described As "Marginally Better Than PART ONE" In First Reactions

SPIDER-MAN 4: Here's The Latest On Marvel Studios' Hunt For A Director (And Who ISN'T In The Mix)

Hot Headlines

SUPERMAN: James Gunn's DCU Reboot Finds Its Martha "Ma" Kent

Hollywood Producer Slams MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed For A Fifth And FINAL Season; Will Adapt Final THREE Books

REBEL MOON: PART TWO - THE SCARGIVER First Reactions Land Ahead Of Netflix Premiere

Cartoons & Animated Features

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

X-MEN '97 Creative Express Interest In Bringing An X-MEN Animated Movie To Theaters

Gaming

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

FALLOUT TV Series Renewed For Second Season After Impressive Debut On Prime Video

Anime & Manga

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

New AVATAR Movie, AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER, Delayed To 2026

MY HERO ACADEMIA Season 7 Countdown Kicks Off With Class 1-A Character Visuals

Horror

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

SCREAM VII: Rumored Details On Sidney And Gale's Roles And Ghostface's Targets - SPOILERS

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

AEW EVPs Matt And Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks, Have "No Regrets" After Airing ALL IN Footage

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed For A Fifth And FINAL Season; Will Adapt Final THREE Books

REBEL MOON: PART TWO - THE SCARGIVER First Reactions Land Ahead Of Netflix Premiere

TRANSFORMERS ONE: First Trailer For Animated Origin Movie Takes Us Back To The Early Days Of Cybertron

FURIOSA: Witness Anya Taylor-Joy As The Wasteland Warrior On New Total Film Covers

REBEL MOON Director Zack Snyder Suggests He Has A Six-Movie Plan For Netflix's Sci-Fi Franchise

Cartoons & Animated Features