While Avengers title news grabbed the spotlight at Saturday evening’s Marvel press conference at Comic-Con, the director of the studio’s forthcoming Guardians of the Galaxy James Gunn dished on some developments in his intergalactic corner of the Marvel Universe, promising some crucial casting decisions will be announced in a matter of days.
Gunn said fans of the outer space freedom fighters can expect to hear casting announcements on the final two members of the team — the tree-like Groot and the very raccoon-like Rocket Raccoon — shortly. As in, very shortly.
“Tomorrow, next week-ish,” Gunn said at the press conference for Guardians of the Galaxy, after checking with Kevin Feige that he was allowed to say anything.
Of course, we assume that’ll mean VOICE casting announcements since it seems pretty likely that a bark-encrusted plant man and a 3-foot-high talking raccoon will mean a lot more CGI work and a lot fewer costume fittings for whoever bags those parts.
They’ll join the already cast Guardians team of Chris Pratt (Star Lord), Dave Bautista (Drax) and Zoe Saldana (Gamora). Others also attached to the sprawling cast include Michael Rooker, Ophelia Lovibond, Benicio Del Toro, Lee Pace, Karen Gillan, Glenn Close and John C. Reilly.
No word yet on exactly who will be playing cosmic menace Thanos. While his cameo appearance in The Avengers indicated he might be the big bad in Avengers 2, today’s announcement of that film’s new title Avengers: Age of Ultron seems to put those thoughts to rest.
Thankfully, however, Thanos WILL have a significant impact on Gunn’s film.
“We have Thanos,” Gunn said. “Thanos is the thing connecting us to the rest of the Marvel Universe at this point,” he confirmed when asked about Guardians of the Galaxy‘s connection to the rest of the superhero films coming from the studio. “And in the future we’ll see what happens after this, but for right now, we’re connected to the rest of the Marvel Universe because we’re resetting the end of The Avengers.”
The studio also released some gorgeous new concept art, offering fans their first look at the Guardians in their movie incarnations.
Guardians of the Galaxy hits movie screens August 1, 2014.
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Tom Hiddleston speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Tom Hiddleston speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Tom Hiddleston speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Karen Gillan speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Writer/director Joss Whedon speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Michael Rooker speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "The Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Benicio Del Toro speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Djimon Hounsou speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Lee Pace speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Dave Bautista speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Cobie Smulders speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Zoe Saldana speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Samuel L. Jackson speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Scarlett Johansson speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Anthony Mackie speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
The cast and crew of "Guardians of the Galaxy" speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Benicio Del Toro speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Michael Rooker speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "The Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Lee Pace speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Chris Pratt speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Lee Pace speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
(L-R) Actor Karen Gillan speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Karen Gillan speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Karen Gillan (L) and Michael Rooker speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Karen Gillan (L) and Michael Rooker speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Chris Pratt speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Zoe Saldana speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Anthony Mackie (L) and Cobie Smulders speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Samuel L. Jackson speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Emily VanCamp speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Scarlett Johansson speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Benicio del Toro speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Chris Evans speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Anthony Mackie speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Scarlett Johansson speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Scarlett Johansson (L) and Samuel L. Jackson speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Lee Pace, Djimon Hounsou, Karen Gillan and Michael Rooker speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Cobie Smulders speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Michael Rooker (L) and Karen Gillan speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Emily VanCamp speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Djimon Hounsou (L) and Karen Gillan speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
(L-R) Actors Karen Gillan (L) and Michael Rooker speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Anthony Mackie speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Scarlett Johansson speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Benicio Del Toro (L) and Lee Pace speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Dave Bautista speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Djimon Hounsou speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Chris Evans speaks onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actresses Cobie Smulders (L) and Emily VanCamp speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actor Tom Hiddleston poses backstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Tom Hiddleston, Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Evans pose backstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, Scarlett Johansson, and Chris Evans speak onstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Zoe Saldana poses backstage at Marvel Studios "The Guardians of the Galaxy" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Cobie Smulders poses backstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actress Scarlett Johansson poses backstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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Comic-Con 2013: Marvel Studios Panel
Actors Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hiddleston, and Chris Evans pose backstage at Marvel Studios "Thor: The Dark World" and "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" during Comic-Con International 2013 at San Diego Convention Center on July 20, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
