Marvel's The Avengers[4] (classified under the name Marvel Avengers Assemble in the United Kingdom and Ireland),[1][5] or simply The Avengers, is a 2012 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures,[N 1] it is the sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Written and directed by Joss Whedon, the film features an ensemble cast including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner as the Avengers, alongside Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders, Stellan Skarsgård, and Samuel L. Jackson. In the film, Nick Fury and the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D. recruit Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Thor, Natasha Romanoff, and Clint Barton to form a team capable of stopping Thor's brother Loki from subjugating Earth.br br Directed by Joss Whedonbr Screenplay by Joss Whedonbr Story by br Zak Pennbr Joss Whedonbr Based on br Avengersbr by Stan Leebr Jack Kirbybr Produced by Kevin Feigebr Starring br Robert Downey Jr.br Chris Evansbr Mark Ruffalobr Chris Hemsworthbr Scarlett Johanssonbr Jeremy Rennerbr Tom Hiddlestonbr Clark Greggbr Cobie Smuldersbr Stellan Skarsgårdbr Samuel L. Jacksonbr Cinematography Seamus McGarveybr Edited by br Jeffrey Fordbr Lisa Lassekbr Music by Alan Silvestribr Productionbr company br Marvel Studiosbr Distributed by Walt Disney Studiosbr Motion Pictures[N 1]br Release dates br April 11, 2012 (El Capitan Theatre)br May 4, 2012 (United States)br Running time 143 minutes[1]br Country United Statesbr Language Englishbr Budget $220 million[2]br Box office $1.