<Li> Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk: A genius scientist who, because of exposure to gamma radiation, transforms into a monster when enraged or agitated . Ruffalo, who was considered to play Banner in The Incredible Hulk before Edward Norton took the role, was cast after negotiations between Marvel and Norton broke down . About replacing Norton, Ruffalo said, "I'm a friend of Ed's, and yeah, that wasn't a great way for all that to go down . But the way I see it is that Ed has bequeathed this part to me . I look at it as my generation's Hamlet ." About the character, he said, "He's a guy struggling with two sides of himself--the dark and the light--and everything he does in his life is filtered through issues of control . I grew up on the Bill Bixby TV series, which I thought was a really nuanced and real human way to look at the Hulk . I like that the part has those qualities". Regarding the Hulk's place on the team, Ruffalo said, "He's like the teammate none of them are sure they want on their team . He's a loose cannon . It's like,' Just throw a grenade in the middle of the group and let's hope it turns out well!" This is the first production in which the actor playing Banner also plays the Hulk . Ruffalo told New York magazine, "I'm really excited . No one's ever played the Hulk exactly; they've always done CGI . They're going to do the Avatar stop - action, stop - motion capture . So I'll actually play the Hulk . That'll be fun". The 3D model used to create the Hulk's body was modeled after Long Island bodybuilder and male stripper Steve Romm, while the Hulk's face was modeled after Ruffalo . To create the Hulk's voice, Ruffalo's voice was blended with those of Lou Ferrigno and others; however, the Hulk's only speaking line ("Puny god .") was provided solely by Ruffalo . </Li> <Li> Chris Hemsworth as Thor: The crown prince of Asgard, based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name . Hemsworth was cast as part of a multiple movie deal . He had previously worked with Joss Whedon on The Cabin in the Woods . Hemsworth said that he was able to maintain the strength he built up for Thor by increasing his food intake, consisting of chicken breasts, fish, steak, and eggs every day . When asked exactly how much, Hemsworth said, "My body weight in protein pretty much!" He remarked that Thor's motivation "is much more of a personal one, in the sense that it's his brother that is stirring things up . Whereas everyone else, it's some bad guy who they've gotta take down . It's a different approach for me, or for Thor . He's constantly having to battle the greater good and what he should do vs. it's his little brother there...I've been frustrated with my brothers at times, or family, but I'm the only one who is allowed to be angry at them . There's a bit of that ." </Li> <Li> Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow: A highly trained spy working for S.H.I.E.L.D. About the character and her relationship with Hawkeye, Johansson said, "Our characters have a long history . They've fought together for a long time in a lot of battles in many different countries . We're the two members of this avenging group who are skilled warriors--we have no superpowers . Black Widow is definitely one of the team, though . She's not in the cast simply to be a romantic foil or eye candy . She's there to fight, so I never felt like I was the only girl . We all have our various skills and it feels equal". Regarding her training, Johansson said, "Even though Iron Man 2 was' one - for - them,' I'd never done anything like that before . I'd never been physically driven in something, or a part of something so big . For The Avengers, I've spent so many months training with our stunt team, and fighting all the other actors, it's crazy . I do nothing but fight--all the time ." </Li> <Li> Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye: A master archer working as an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D. Renner said it was a very physical role and that he trained physically and practiced archery as much as possible in preparation . About the role, Renner said, "When I saw Iron Man, I thought that was a really kick - ass approach to superheroes . Then they told me about this Hawkeye character, and I liked how he wasn't really a superhero; he's just a guy with a high skill set . I could connect to that ." Regarding Hawkeye's sniper mentality, Renner said, "It's a lonely game . He's an outcast . His only connection is to Scarlett's character, Natasha . It's like a left hand / right hand thing . They coexist, and you need them both, especially when it comes to a physical mission ." Renner said Hawkeye is not insecure about his humanity . "Quite the opposite, he's the only one who can really take down the Hulk with his (tranquilizer - tipped) arrows . He knows his limitations . But when it comes down to it, there has to be a sense of confidence in any superhero ." </Li>

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