Avengers News: Guardians in Avengers 3, Set Photos, and Black Widow’s Relationship with Hawkeye

Avengers: Age of Ultron might feel far away, but it’s approaching fast. With just one more Marvel movie to go before the team reunites next year, the studio is currently knee-deep in production on the upcoming film. Read up on how Marvel plans to connect the Avengers to the Guardians of the Galaxy, see some set photos from three different countries, and get the skinny on Hawkeye and Black Widow’s relationship below.

How Guardians of the Galaxy Connects to Avengers 3

Out of all of the movies on Marvel’s confirmed slate, Guardians of the Galaxy stands out as the most head-scratching choice. After all, even Thor had big segments of both of his films set on Earth, and even the fantasy elements never felt too bizarre. With a walking, talking tree and a gun-toting raccoon as two of the leads though, Guardians feels as far removed from the Avengers as humanely possible.

Luckily, Marvel has a plan to bring it all together, and that connective tissue is none other than Thanos. This particular big-baddie was teased at the end of the first Avengers, and has not appeared since. Guardians director James Gunn recently confirmed to Entertainment Weekly though that the interstellar heroes will link up with the Avengers team in the third film. Presumably, Thanos will be the threat that unites the two teams in Avengers 3.

Additionally, he added that Thanos would be performance captured (perhaps implying an appearance in Guardians), and confirmed that Gamora and Nebula will be connected to him.

[Star Lord] was abducted from Earth (Missouri) at age 8 and raised in a group of thieves and smuggles called the Ravagers. He’s good with the ladies and a little bit of a dick and very lucky. Thanos slaughtered [Gamora’s] family and Nebula’s, then raised them together as siblings. They were bio engineered to become living weapons, so he’s really good at killing people.

Gunn also tweeted a new image from the film:

Avengers in the UK

After stints in South Africa, Italy, and South Korea, production on Avengers: Age of Ultron is heading to the UK. The first location on their list is Hawley Woods, and will involve “three to four principal actors,” according to the filming proposals. The location will be used for the fictional Eastern European city of “Sokovia,” in addition to footage shot in Italy.

Twitter user @Locs_Ops reports that at least Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo are involved in the shoot, with Ruffalo’s practical Hulk costume apparel spotted.

More Avengers in Italy

Meanwhile in Italy, another set photo has emerged featuring Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Hawkeye.

And South Korea

Finally, Black Widow was also spotted in Seoul, riding a motorcycle with Cap’s shield. This appears to be from the same scene as *spoilers* the one with Captain America hopping from car to car in a high speed chase, eventually landing on the back of a speeding bike. As it turns out, Black Widow is apparently the driver of said motorcycle.

Unleash the Fanboy has way more photos here.

Black Widow + Hawkeye Confirmed

Scarlett Johansson and The Winter Soldier directors Anthony and Joe Russo confirmed to Empire that Black Widow’s arrow necklace was no accident.

Honestly it was a choice that Scarlett made as a character, and… her relationship with Hawkeye will become very clear in Avengers 2.

Johansson added:

I think that may have been my little nod to Mr. Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye. I guess you could interpret it in different ways but we thought it would be nice to have something that was a little bit personal for the Widow. You kind of forget, because she’s such a badass, you kind of forget that she’s still a woman and that she has her interpersonal relationships in life outside of work.

Bits and Bobs

A dead body was found on the Avengers 2 set in Korea. Luckily, it apparently has nothing to do with the production. Unluckily, it’s still a dead body.

Here’s a cool Thor: The Dark World visual effects breakdown.

Concept artist James Carson has released some awesome artwork for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Check out more here.