While the world patiently waits for the next Harry Potter installment, the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand with the latest installment being yet another epic trailer.
If you thought the previous trailer was amazing, then buckle up, because this new one is going to blow your mind.
The latest addition to the MCU is Avengers: Infinity War, directed by the legendary Avengers and xXx filmmaker Joe Russo. While the first trailer focused almost entirely on the action, this one is more character-driven as we get to see more of the personalities of the ensemble cast. As the title suggests, it’s an ensemble cast of superheroes – arguably the biggest ensemble cast of superheroes ever assembled in a single film. With so much going on, it’s pretty hard to keep track of all the characters and what they’re doing. So here’s a breakdown of who’s who and what they’re up to in this year’s Avengers trailer.
Robert Pattinson
While we knew that Robert Pattinson would not be reprising his role as Edward Cullen from the Twilight franchise, seeing him in action for the first time since the last film was pretty shocking. After an extensive career in film and television, the last couple of years have been a bit of a struggle for Pattinson, as he’s only been in a few films (including the aforementioned Avengers) and many have been relatively small roles.
However, aside from the numerous cameos in those aforementioned few films, Pattinson has been on a bit of a media blitz, as he’s now officially replaced the recently fallen Robert Downey Jr. as the face of Chanel. Since the beginning of the year, it seems as if Pattinson is everywhere – from the set of the latest Harry Potter movie to the fall collections of the runways. It seems like the film industry has finally decided to take notice of his talents and are moving to reemploy him as much as possible.
Ethan Hawke
Ethan Hawke is yet another actor who has seen an uptick in film and television work since the last wave of superhero films, with many people comparing Hawke to a young Brando. Aside from Avengers: Infinity War, which marks his first appearance in a Marvel film, Hawke has appeared in the acclaimed Big Short as well as its sequel The Big Short: Part II. Hawke also appears in the upcoming third and final season of the critically acclaimed series The Handmaid’s Tale, which recently concluded its historic second season run on Broadway.
Aside from acting, Hawke is known for his activism, especially regarding environmental issues. He is also an accomplished musician, having played in some of the world’s most famous rock bands, most notably Death Cab for Cutie and Team Hawke. Finally, Hawke is a well-known philanthropist, having founded the Ethan Hawke Foundation, which provides support to public schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Mark Ruffalo
While Chris Evans’ Hulk and Chris Pratt’s Star Lord get all of the attention as the marquee stars of Avengers: Infinity War, it is arguably Mark Ruffalo’s Doctor Strange who holds the key to the franchise’s future. The actor behind the amazing anti-hero Mark Ruffalo has been acting steadily since the second Spider-Man movie, eventually landing the role of the Incredible Hulk in a subsequent spin-off film before starring in his own standalone film, The Right Stuff. Since then, Ruffalo has continued to have supporting roles in big-budget films like Avengers: Infinity War. These films have helped establish his presence in Hollywood and made him a recognizable face in the industry.
Aside from acting, Ruffalo is a renowned film producer, having produced both Avengers: Infinity War and the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Tilda Swinton
With a resume that includes the Oscar-winning The Grand Budapest Hotel and the cult classic Much Ado About Nothing, it’s no surprise that Tilda Swinton would be interested in taking on the role of The Ancient One in Marvel’s newest cinematic offering. If you haven’t seen much of Swinton’s work, then it’s time to start paying attention – particularly since she is clearly the best part of the new Avengers trailer. The British actress has been around for a while, appearing in some seriously big films, like The Great Gatsby and Alien: Covenant.
While we didn’t get to see much of the Ancient One in Avengers: Infinity War (due to the character’s brief appearance and the fact that she spoke in a language that no one else could understand), it’s clear that Swinton has the acting chops to pull off such a legendary role. She is also an accomplished stage actress, having starred in the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play as well as two other plays by William Shakespeare.
Sebastian Stan
Speaking of legendary roles, Sebastian Stan is finally getting the recognition he deserves for playing one of the greatest comic book villains of all time, a performance for which he has become known. After becoming the Hulk in some very memorable Hulk movies, Stan went on to have huge roles in Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. Aside from acting, Stan is also an accomplished fashion designer, having founded his own company – Stan a Stan – which designs exclusive clothing for big-name brands like Chanel, Dior and Burberry. Stan also has a line of accessories and costumes which he designs solely for women. As an entrepreneur and fashion designer, it’s clear that Stan has a bright future in front of him.
Daniel Brühl
Speaking of future leaders in fashion and style, Daniel Brühl has been a regular fixture on the big screen for over a decade, starring in prestigious films like Dark Water and Moneyball. While those films undoubtedly had big names behind them, it’s Brühl who stole the show with his brilliant portrayal of a conflicted businessman. In fact, Brühl’s performance in Moneyball alone was enough to make him a household name in Germany, where the film was based.
Since then, Brühl’s continued to show off his acting skills with memorable supporting roles in films like The Girl on the Train and The Light Between Oceans. Most recently, Brühl reunited with his Moneyball co-star for The Circle, a thriller that was one of the most talked about films at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival. Aside from acting, Brühl is also a DJ and producer, having founded the Hypnotic International record label and released albums by the likes of Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk and The Bangles.
Chris Evans
Speaking of famous faces, Chris Evans’ acting career is in serious jeopardy, as he’s now lost the leading role in the Captain America franchise to Sebastian Stan. Evans’ only hope of reclaiming the role is if Stan doesn’t end up being cast in some huge blockbuster movie first. That being said, having appeared in a string of huge films, from The Fantastic Four to the aforementioned Captain America, Evans has certainly established his presence in Hollywood. Evans’ other claim to fame is that he’s the son of Scott Evans, who wrote and directed Moneyball. Though he doesn’t appear to have inherited his father’s talent, Evans has his own impressive acting resume, which includes notable supporting roles in films like Black Mass and Jumanji.
Chris Pratt
If you thought that Chris Evans’ acting troubles were bad, then you should hear what Chris Pratt has to say about it. After starring in the massively popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory for years, Pratt finally gets his big break with the Marvel franchise, playing Captain America’s best buddy, Star Lord. Though it’s not clear if this is going to be the beginning of a long-lasting collaboration between Pratt and Marvel, at least for now, he’s got a key role in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Aside from acting, Pratt is also an accomplished musician, having played in several bands throughout his career, most notably including the Grammy-nominated rock band, Always Remember NIck Drake. Moreover, Pratt is involved in a lot of charity work, particularly as part of the Broadway show, Dear Evan Hansen. Though it’s difficult to keep track of all his accomplishments, Pratt is clearly on his way to becoming a major Hollywood player.
Viola Davis
Speaking of major players, Viola Davis finally gets the recognition she deserves for winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the blockbuster Black Panther. While it’s no question that Davis’ performance in the film was outstanding, it’s also important to remember that Black Panther was a huge hit at the box office, raking in over $400 million worldwide. These sorts of numbers don’t usually land on the desks of character actresses, so it’s safe to say that Davis’ impressive run as a supporting actor is now officially over.