Just in case the announcement that geek legend Joss Whedon directing wasn’t enough proof, the above photo features the entire cast. From left to right, we’ve got Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Clark Gregg (eh…he doesn’t have a nickname, let’s just call him SHIELD Flunky), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Samuel L. Jackson (who will play himself), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), and Mark Ruffalo (Hulk).

Personally, I’m not surprised they’re putting together a team that’s pretty much the Avengers’ Greatest Hits, and not coincidentally most of them either have a highly successful film series or are about to be a part of one (or so Marvel hopes), but I kinda wish they’d gone the “Cap’s Dirty Third-of-a-Dozen Route” and featured Cap, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, and Hawkeye.

On the other hand, JOSS WHEDON JOSS WHEDON JOSS WHEDON AVENGERS.

[ via BleedingCool ]