Mystery 'Avengers' Role Revealed, 'How I Met Your Mother' Actress The Leading Contender?
Posted 2/7/11 11:16 am ET by Adam Rosenberg in Marvel, News
Samuel L. Jackson, who will be repeating his Nick Fury role for 2012's "The Avengers," revealed in an interview last week that he'd be reading alongside five actresses for a "sidekick" role, which many believed to be S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill. Now, a new report indicates that the part is indeed Hill, and that "How I Met Your Mother" star Cobie Smulders is the front-runner.
According to Deadline, Smulders reportedly read with fellow candidates Morena Baccarin ("V"), Jessica Lucas ("Cloverfield") and Mary Elizabeth Winstead ("Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World"), and the outlet has her pegged as director Joss Whedon's top pick.
Whedon previously considered Smulders for the role of "Wonder Woman" when he was working on the DC Comics property as a film adaptation.
Hill is a significant player in the Marvel Comics universe, particularly during the popular "Civil War" arc. Nick Fury is removed from his position as S.H.I.E.L.D. director early on in the story, with Hill stepping in to run the agency in the interim. Tony Stark eventually takes over, though Hill continues to play a critical role in the events that follow.
There's been no word on the direction that Whedon's "Avengers" will be taking in terms of the story, but wrapping in elements of the "Civil War" arc certainly isn't out of the question. "Thor" star Chris Hemsworth recently told MTV that Whedon's script is "incredible," and that it features "plenty of friction" between the heroes, which could certainly indicate a nod to the "Civil War" arc. Even if that's not the case, Smulders will likely be securing herself a future in the many Marvel movies to come if the casting comes to pass.
