The Avengers

While attending today’s KAPOW convention in London, England, Hiddleston and his co-star Chris Hemsworth answered several questions after debuting 20-minutes of Thor movie footage; one in particular had to do with Marvel’s upcoming ensemble superhero film.

In the summer of 2012, Marvel Studios will release a film that is both a great gamble and crowning achievement. The Avengers, the largest ensemble superhero film produced by a major motion picture studio in cinematic history, will feature characters who have previously been showcased in their own, respective ventures (Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Nick Fury, Black Widow and the Hulk) and ones newly introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Hawkeye and a plethora of yet to be revealed names). Joss Whedon, of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly cult fame, will direct the film, and is already deeply immersed in pre-production happenings.

After formally announcing The Avengers at last year’s San Diego Comic Con with the main cast member’s introductions and a teaser trailer, very little news about the film has been disclosed. Fans of the upcoming film have dealt with nonstop speculation as to who The Avengers will face in the upcoming film — which is currently filming in New York, New Mexico and Los Angeles.

Mark Ruffalo recently stated that his character, Bruce Banner and his alter ego The Hulk, will be one of the films heroes and not its villain. Now, Tom Hiddleston has revealed that Loki — the God of Mischief and central antagonist in this summer’s Thor film — will not be facing off against The Avengers in the summer of 2012 either.

Speaking with fans at the KAPOW convention in London today, Hiddleston hinted strongly that he is not slated to be making an appearance in The Avengers, contrary to recent rumblings Loki will be the focus of the superhero film’s troubles. Marvel has yet to confirm or deny that the alien race The Skrulls, who have been rumored to be making their cinematic debut in the film for close to a year now, will be included. Though at this point it seems more likely than ever the shape-shifting invaders will have a place in the story.

The Avengers is scheduled to hit theaters on May 4th, 2012, and will unite Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) for the first time in cinematic history.