We know that production is underway on Joss Whedon’s eagerly-anticipated sequel The Avengers: Age of Ultron, with several batches of set images and video surfacing from the “action photography” that’s been shooting in Johannesburg, South Africa, featuring an apparent rampage by The Incredible Hulk [see here and here]. While principal photography is set to get underway this month, it seems that some of the cast have already been shooting, with new Cinematic Universe addition Thomas Kretschmann (Dracula) speaking briefly about his role as Baron Strucker to B.Z. Berlin (via CBM):
“I have a multi-picture deal which means I will not only appear in the 2nd part, but they’re planning with me for a longer period of time. But I don’t know details yet, they’re keeping their cards close to their chest – top secret! I was nervous [starting work on the film]. I was overprepared; then on the set I went up to Joss Whedon, who passes for a genius, and said ‘this is my first day, this is huge, please have patience with me, I’m a bit nervous.”
Kretschmann is joined in the cast of Age of Ultron by fellow franchise newcomers James Spader (The Blacklist) as Ultron, Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass 2) as Quicksilver and Elizabeth Olsen (Oldboy) as the Scarlet Witch, while returning Marvel veterans include Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Mark Ruffalo (The Incredible Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), and Paul Bettany (JARVIS / The Vision). The film is set for release on May 1st, 2015, with a first-look set to land later this month.
