The Avengers assemble in the first trailer from Marvel's superhero team-up

This past summer may have been dominated by superheroes but it's nothing compared to what we can expect next year when the three biggest superhero movie franchises go up against each other in what is sure to be an explosive box-office showdown. We've already had the first teaser trailers from The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises, and now Marvel Studios are finally getting in on the act as we get our hands on the first trailer for The Avengers.

Director Joss Whedon brings together an all-star line-up for the epic ensemble, including Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner), Scarlett Johnansson (Black Widow), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki), while other names to feature in the cast include Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård, Paul Bettany, Lou Ferrigno, Jenny Agutter and Gwyneth Paltrow.

"Continuing the epic big-screen adventures started in “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor,” and “Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Marvel’s The Avengers” is the super hero team up of a lifetime. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster."

Take a look at the trailer in all its glory here...


Exciting stuff, but will it be enough to see off the challenge of Batman and Spider-Man? It's going to be an interesting summer next year, that's for sure...

The Avengers is set for release on May 4th, 2012.