According to Deadline New York, Marvel Studios is in final negotiations with ‘Buffy’ and ‘Firefly’ creator Joss Whedon to direct their upcoming ‘Avengers’ flick.

‘The Avengers’ comics, which originally consisted of Ant-Man, Wasp, Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk (and later a rotating roster of superheroes), was created by Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee in 1963.

The big screen action adventure will see many of the lead actors involved in Marvel Studios’ previous/upcoming film adaptations return to reprise their roles, including Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Don Cheadle as War Machine, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow (from the upcoming ‘Iron Man 2′), Chris Evans as Captain America (from the upcoming ‘Captain America’ solo film) and Australia’s Chris Hemsworth as Thor (from the upcoming ‘Thor’ solo film).

‘The Incredible Hulk’s’ Edward Norton has also expressed an interested in returning as The Hulk for the united superhero flick.

Whedon’s directorial credits include ‘Buffy’, ‘Angel’, ‘Firefly’, ‘Dollhouse’, ‘The Office’, ‘Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog’, ‘Glee’ and the 2005 surprise box office hit ‘Serenity’.

‘Iron Man’ director Jon Favreau will serve as an executive producer on ‘The Avengers’.

The film adaptation is currently scheduled for a May 4, 2012 release through Paramount Pictures.

Source: Deadline New York