Film trailer: Iron Man, Thor and Captain America in 'The Avengers'

On October 11 Marvel released the much-anticipated trailer for The Avengers, featuring a cast of all-star superheroes: Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as The Incredible Hulk, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury.

The action-adventure based on the comic book series is directed and written by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and features a dream team assembled by Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D to do battle with the forces of evil.

Opening on an image of the Manhattan skyline and a voiceover stating "You were made to be ruled," the trailer shows the film's villain, Thor's half-brother Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston, attacking the city and wreaking havoc.

The military strikes back, but to combat the enemy, Marvel's iconic superheroes must unite to protect and avenge Earth.

The two-minute preview is not all destruction and disaster. In typical Iron Man style, Tony Stark offers amusing lines of dialogue.

Not seen in the trailer are costars Gwyneth Paltrow, Paul Bettany and Stellan Skarsgard.

The Avengers hits theaters in 3D on April 25-26, 2012 in France, Hong Kong and Hungary, then May 3-5 in North America and worldwide.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuR3wSKeNOc

RC