Back on June 30, news hit that mo-cap genius Andy Serkis (“The Hobbit,” “Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes”) hadn’t just provided a little coaching for Mark Ruffalo’s new take on The Hulk in “Avengers: Age Of Ultron,” he also had a role in the film.
At the time, we speculated that Serkis could be doing a mo-cap role, or a live action role, but didn’t have any more details than that. And now, with the trailer for “Age Of Ultron” hitting last night (October 22), we finally know he’s playing this guy:
Marvel/Disney
So who is that guy? He’s clearly important enough to the film to appear in a (albeit, brief) scene in the first trailer. And unless Serkis is mocapping himself, he’s appearing in chin-bearded flesh in the movie. Here are five possibilities.
1. Ulysses Klaw
Marvel Comics
This is the internet favorite theory, given his resemblance to the human form of the sonically powered villain Klaw in the trailer. It would make sense given the possibly spoilery rumors that Ultron will be searching for the rare metal vibranium in the movie, the same material that created Captain America’s shield.
Why is this important? Because Klaw was a regular guy who was transformed into solid sound by vibranium after trying to steal the substance. And perhaps more importantly, Klaw has been one of the most consistent villains to antagonize hero the Black Panther, who has himself been rumored to be getting a mighty Marvel movie some time soon.
So could Serkis dust it up with Ultron, get turned into Klaw, and then dust it up with Black Panther in an eventual movie? Sure, why not! Let’s dust things up a bit!
2. A Drifter Of Some Sort
Marvel/Disney
Since Serkis spent most of his time on set coaching Mark Ruffalo, it would stand to reason that he also appears in some of the Hulk’s scenes. Maybe Serkis plays a cameo similar to Harry Dean Stanton in the first “Avengers,” giving Bruce Banner some much needed advice before disappearing back to whatever friendly drifter/hermit/hobo place he lives in (a boxcar, perhaps).
3. The Father Of Quicksilver And The Scarlet Witch
Marvel Comics
Here’s a plain, simple fact: in the comics, the new additions to the Avengers have a famous father named Magneto… Who is owned by FOX for their “X-Men” movies. Getting into Pietro and Wanda’s parentage is a potential minefield for Disney’s movies, unless they provide the pair with a brand new dad. Why not Serkis?
4. The High Evolutionary
Marvel Comics
This is insane, pure speculation based on literally almost nothing, so please skip to the next bullet-point where we’ll drop a very funny pun. So we know Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch are in the movie, and we know the Avengers will be “broken” by the end of the film. Beyond Magneto, one other aspect of the twins’ origin that’s often referenced is Wundagore Mountain, a weird place in Europe that’s set backwards in time (metaphorically), and filled with half-human/half-animals (non-metaphorically).
Wanda and Pietro were raised there, and the place is run by none other than one of Marvel’s most powerful villains, The High Evolutionary. Since we know the Avengers will have to change by the next film (metaphorically), why not set up a villain this time around who literally forces evolutionary change in the name of mad science?
We told you it was crazy, though worth noting that High Evolutionary also has a chin-beard when his mask is off.
5. The Ringmaster
Marvel Comics
The mesmerizing villain briefly took over Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and Hawkeye’s minds after the Avengers disbanded in the comics. But more importantly, he runs the Circus of Crime. Get it? SERKIS of Crime?
::high fives self::
Who do you think Serkis is playing? Let us know in the comments below!
Alex Zalben
Writer/Editor at MTV News. You can follow him on Twitter, but not in real life because that would be weird.
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