thefriedgold

If you are a fan of Marvel and their band of different superheroes then the time to see them ‘assemble’ is almost upon us. This is a fan boys dream that many thought would never come about but is finally here, The Avengers (UK release know as Avengers Assemble)

And what better way to get ready for this showpiece then by watching all the Marvel films, that matter in the context to this film, while adding in the Agent Coulson shorts as close to the timeline as possible.

So in order I watched;

Ironman (2008)

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Ironman 2 (2010)

The Consultant

A funny thing happened on the way to Thor’s hammer

Thor (2011)

Captain America (2011)

And here is what I noticed in each film that co-insides with the release of Avengers Assemble

Ironman (2008)

The first link is that of Agent Coulson who says he is from ‘Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division’. This is an on-going joke that the name needs to be worked on because it is quite a mouthful. By the end of the film Coulson says that they are now called S.H.E.I.L.D.

There is a quick glimpse of a Captain America shield on a workbench while Tony is working.

Lastly there is the scene after the credits, which is a staple to all the Marvel films, where Tony Stark finds Nick Fury in his house and tells him he would like to talk about the Avengers Initiative.

(The Incredible Hulk, Ironman 2 and Thor all take place around the same time)

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

In the opening credits when they are quickly showing the background story the name Nick Fury is shown on a document as well as Stark Industries. S.H.I.E.L.D also turns ups.

When Blonsky is waiting to be injected with the super serum there is a picture hanging on the wall of Steve Rogers aka Captain America.

The added scene at the end of the film involves Tony Stark confronting General Ross about a problem he has. Initially it would seem that he is referring about Hulk. However by watching the Agent Coulson Short ‘The Consultant’ you realise that Tony is actually talking about Abomination and is sent there to piss General Ross off. To put this short in the timeline it takes place after The Incredible Hulk and Ironman 2. (See Ironman 2 links)

Ironman 2 (2008)

Tony Stark gets an assistant in the form of Natalie Rushman which turns out to be an alias for Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow. She was sent in by Nick Fury to assess Tony Stark’s credentials to be part of the Avengers Initiative.

Nick Fury talks to Tony about his father and informs him that Howard Stark was a founding member of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agent Coulson makes another appearance. Although he doesn’t stick around for long as there is something he has to deal with in New Mexico. (Ironman 2 end credit scene) He does however hand over the Captain America shield to Tony Stark when he asks for it. Coulson’s response is “Where did you get this? Do you have any idea what this is?”

Towards the end of the film Nick Fury tells Tony Stark that he isn’t wanted for the Avengers Initiative but Ironman is. So for now he will just be a consultant. (This links in to the Agent Coulson short ‘The Consultant’ and the end of The Incredible Hulk) Also in the background on the T.V’s while Fury and Stark are talking is the news reporting on what happened at the college where Hulk faced off with Blonsky for the first time.

The scene after the credits shows a car pull up to a crater and Agent Coulson steps out gets out his phone and says “Sir. We found it.” We then have a close up shot of Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer.

The second Agent Coulson short ‘ A funny thing happened on the way to Thor’s hammer’ takes place during Ironman 2 and shows Coulson kick ass when a petrol station is held up.

Thor (2011)

We see how Thor can travel between Asgard and earth. This is important later on (link in Captain America)

We get the backstory of Thor and Loki. With Loki being the main villain (or so we are believed to think) in The Avengers.

Agent Coulson plays a bigger role in this film being in charge of the Thor situation. This time he has a helper in the form of Hawkeye.

Towards the end Thor says to Agent Coulson “From this day forward, you can count me in as your ally” playing up to the Avengers film.

The scene after the credits show Nick Fury holding a case that contains a bright blue cube that is said to have great power. (This is linked to The Avengers and Captain America)

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Stark Enterprises is shown a lot in the film in relation to a young Howard Stark who co-founded the Super Soldier program.

When the Red Skull and Captain America are fighting in the final battle the Cosmic Cube (as seen at the end of Thor) is knocked and something strange happens. Red Skull looks to be vaporised however as we could see he was being transported to another realm, just like how Thor would move between worlds. (Possible return in the Avengers film or Thor 2)

Steve Roger’s wakes up in the present day and is freaked out. He is met by Nick Fury who calms him down.

After the credits we see Steve Rogers going at it with a punching bag. Nick Fury walks in and we see a teaser involving all the main players in the Avengers.

Avengers Assemble is released on April 25th in the UK