Entertainment

IN PHOTOS: 'Avengers' unleash 'Ultron' footage at Comic-Con

Derrik Lang - The Philippine Star

July 27, 2014 | 1:41pm

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Several members of "The Avengers" descended on Comic-Con to debut the first footage from the upcoming superhero sequel.

Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner were on hand with other cast members from "The Avengers: Age of Ultron," including Samuel L. Jackson and Colbie Smolders.

Actors Jeremy Renner, from left, Chris Hemsworth, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Evans stand during the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The footage kicked off with the superhero team attempting to pick up Thor's mighty hammer before launching into a barrage of action-packed imagery, including Hulk battling a giant Iron Man robot and a close up of Captain America's split shield.

Actors Robert Downey Jr., left, and Jeremy Renner (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

"If I lift it, do I get to rule?" Tony Stark asked while trying to lift Thor's hammer — both with and without an Iron Man gauntlet.

Chris Evans, left, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

The cast were joined by newcomers Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Paul Bettany and James Spader, who personifies the villainous mechanical force Ultron in the sequel.

"Age of Ultron" is set for release May 1, 2015.

Meanwhile, the upcoming "Ant-Man" movie also reveals its cast.

Paul Rudd was previously revealed as the tiny title superhero. But at Marvel's Comic-Con panel Saturday, Evangeline Lilly confirmed she'll play Hope Pym. Michael Douglas plays her dad, Dr. Hank Pym. And Corey Stoll is set to play the villain Darren Cross, also known as Yellowjacket.

Paul Rudd, left, Michael Douglas, center, and Evangeline Lilly, cast members in the upcoming Marvel film "Ant-Man," take part in the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Rudd called the role "a mind-bender." Douglas said he'd long looked at Marvel films "from afar with tremendous envy" and was excited to join the comic-based world.

Director Peyton Reed, who took over for Edgar Wright after he left over creative issues, has been coming to Comic-Con for 20 years and been an "Ant-Man" fan for even longer.

Marvel chief Kevin Feige said production on the film, due in theaters next year, is set to begin in two weeks. Even though shooting hasn't begun, filmmakers offered a peek at the film's look.

Here are more photos from the Marvel Comic-Con panel:

Actors Mark Ruffalo, left, and Chris Hemsworth laugh during the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Actors Mark Ruffalo, left, and Chris Hemsworth compare biceps during the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Robert Downey Jr., left, and Jeremy Renner stand on the stage during the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Actors Mark Ruffalo, from left, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders stand during the Marvel panel at Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)