Canadian actress Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) will play the role of Shield Agent Maria Hill. She is the right hand person to Shield Commander Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson.) From the comic books she is as strong willed and imposing as Fury himself.
The attractive Smulders has signed a nine-picture deal with Marvel to appear as a Shield Agent. She will play a pivotal role in this ensemble cast. In the comic book, she eventually is appointed by the President to become the head of the espionage and law enforcement group.
“The Avengers” is written by Zak Penn, and will star:
Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark (Iron Man)
Don Cheadle as Colonel James Rhodes (Possibly as War Machine)
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner (The Hulk)
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton (Hawkeye)
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff (The Black Widow)
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers (Captain America)
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill
Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Lou Ferrigno as The Incredible Hulk (voice)
Robin Atkin Downes as Baron Helmut Zemo (voice) (rumored)
Pre-production is already in the works with Joss Whedon helming the project along with the directorial reigns. “The Avengers” will start production in April, and is scheduled for a May 4th, 2012 release.