In 1944 Marvel Comics produced their first ever movie based on their character, titled Captain America. This was the first attempt by Marvel Comics; a subsidiary of New York based Marvel Entertainment, to promote their comic books and their characters in the form of full-length feature films. Numerous other movies were then produced by Marvel Studios based on their characters namely: Howard the Duck, The Punisher, Fantastic Four, Blade, X-Men, Spider Man, The Hulk and Iron Man. It was not until Iron Man (2008) when Marvel Comics started using their own superheroes in cameo roles appearing in movies based on other Marvel superheroes. For instance, Tony Stark/Iron Man appearing in The Incredible Hulk for a brief moment.

Movies such as Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) were produced in quick succession over a period of three years (2008 to 2011), which only meant one thing, to keep the viewers updated on the superheroes which made up the Marvel Comics or the Marvel Universe and to promote these characters for they all would be playing a key role in Marvel Studio’s The Avengers, to be released in May 2012. The interesting thing to note here is that Iron Man, Hulk, Thor and Captain America are part of the superhero team which is called The Avengers.

Let’s take a look at how these superheroes are interconnected and how they appear in each other’s movies produced by Marvel Studios; an intelligent marketing and promotions strategy used by Marvel Studios to create anticipation among the viewers about The Avengers and also to stir up word-of-mouth promotion.

Iron Man (2008)

  • CaptainAmerica’s shield is seen in the workshop which is the secret hideout of Tony Stark. It is also reported that Tony Stark’s father did design the shield since he was a weapons manufacturer.
  • Nick Fury, also part of The Avengers (2010) is seen in the post-credits talking to Tony Stark in his home. Fury is actually encouraging Iron Man to work for the team called Avengers. This was the first time when the name Avengers was discussed.

The Incredible Hulk (2008)

  • General Thunderbolt Ross is seen talking to Emil Blonsky about a World War II program which was initiated to create the perfect soldier to help the Americans win the war. It was named the Supersoldier Serum. This serum is in fact pointing towards the serum which was injected to Steve Rogers in CaptainAmericacomics to give him super strength and he becomes CaptainAmerica. In CaptainAmerica: The First Avenger (2011), this same serum is used to inject in Steve Rogers who becomes CaptainAmerica.
  • Nick Fury’s name appears for a brief moment in the scene on a government document. Tony Stark/Iron Man is then seen encouraging the Hulk to become part of the Avengers.
  • In the post-credit scene in The Incredible Hulk, Tony Stark/Iron Man meets General Thunder Bolt Ross in a bar and tells him he is bringing together a superhero team together. This was a clear indication that they were referring to The Avengers.

Iron Man 2 (2010)

  • S.H.I.E.L.D (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) agent Phil Coulson finds a replica of CaptainAmerica’s shield.
  • Nick Fury also gives Tony Stark a copy of CaptainAmericacomic book in the movie.
  • In the scene when Nick Fury debriefs Tony Stark, the television screen shows the news of an onCulverUniversity. This University was the place where Bruce Banner did his research and became the Hulk for the first time.
  • At the end of Iron Man 2, Nick Fury mentions the Avengers Initiative and tells Stark his plans to take him in the team was a consultant.
  • Natasha Romanoff, also in The Avengers (2012) was Iron Man’s assistant, but in actuality she was only a posing to be one. She was an undercover agent deployed by S.H.I.E.L.D to keep an eye on Tony Stark/Iron man

Thor (2011)

  • Dr Erik Selvig, who encountered Thor while doing his research inNew Mexico, talked about his awareness of someone who did extensive research in gamma radiation until S.H.I.E.L.D agents showed up. This is a clear reference to Bruce Banner and Nick Fury. Bruce Banner did his research on gamma radiation which transformed his DNA while the S.H.I.E.L.D was Nick Fury.
  • In the post-credit scenes of Thor, Nick Fury is seen revealing the Cosmic Cube Erik Selvig.

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Nick fury makes his appearance in the final scene of the movie and he concisely mentions about the Avengers.