SAN DIEGO — The Avengers first assembled at the San Diego Comic-Con and went on to collect more than $1.5 billion for the third biggest opening ever. So to say that expectations were high for Marvel's Hall H presentation this year would be like saying Galactus has something of an appetite — the real Galactus, not the weird purple cloud version.

This year's SDCC provided plenty of fan-centric delights from the worlds of and . But it's safe to say that the Disney-owned Marvel Studios stole the show, boasting a big announcement about the sequel to "The Avengers," assembling the "Guardians of the Galaxy" on the same stage for the first time, debuting footage from "Captain America: Winter Soldier" and plenty of "Thor: The Dark World" as well, all preceded by a ridiculously badass appearance by Tom Hiddleston in character as Loki.

MTV.com streamed live from Comic-Con Thursday through Sunday, grabbing exclusive details and insights from everyone from Harrison Ford to Hugh Jackman to "Avengers" director Joss Whedon and his Merry Marvel cohorts.

Here's a roundup of all the major things that went down.

Tom Hiddleston Cosplay
It's hard to imagine a better way to dig into new revelations about Marvel's "Phase 2" than to have the Big Bad from "Phase 1" take the stage and menacingly chastise the crowd for their willingness to wait in sweltering heat and super long lines. Is it cosplay for someone who has actually played a character in several films? Hiddleston got the call from Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige about ...

J. Cole and Drake are compelling lyricists, so when the pair collaborate, there's usually excitement about the results. But not everyone was thrilled after hearing the rappers' a freewheeling song that Cole ended up apologizing for.

"In a recent verse on the song 'Jodeci Freestyle,' I said something highly offensive to people with Autism. Last week, when I first saw a comment from someone outraged about the lyric, I realized right away that what I said was wrong," Cole wrote in an apology letter to advocacy organization Autism Speaks. He posted the note on his Dreamvillian site on Sunday.

The line that Cole caught some heat for finds him making reference to the developmental disorder as he lyrically berates his hip-hop competition: "I'm artistic, you n---as is autistic, retarded."

According to Autism advocates, Cole's verse on Drake's June release makes light of people living with the disorder, and the North Carolina MCseemed to agree.

"I was instantly embarrassed that I would be ignorant enough [to] say something so hurtful," Cole continued. "What makes the crime worse is that I should have known better."

Cole went on to acknowledge the recent rash of rapper apologies, though he didn't name drop Rick Ross, Lil Wayne or Tyler, the Creator, who have all recently issued apologies (of sorts) after public outcry stemming from their lyrics.

"I do not believe that an apology is needed every time someone is offended, especially when that apology is really only for the sake of saving an endorsement or cleaning up bad press," Cole stated in ...

In the hallways of "Hunger Games" High, 28-year-old actress Jena Malone is the new kid on the block, enrolling in the beloved series for sequel "Catching Fire." But as Malone told MTV News during San Diego Comic-Con, the close cast welcomed her with the enthusiasm of a Friday night pep rally.

"Working with this cast is so incredible," Malone enthused. "They're really so sweet and supportive. They kind of let me go wherever I wanted, so that was fun. Then I could just be crazy, and they were like, 'That's cool.' "

A little bit of crazy is most certainly called for in the portrayal of District 7 tribute Johanna Mason, whose first meeting with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) involves a strip (without the teasing).

"She's just so feisty and unpredictable," Malone enthused. "Being able to bring that element to any scene you're doing on set, whether it's like really straightforward or not, kind of allows this element of surprise."

Malone credits not only the veterans but fellow newbie, director Francis Lawrence, with creating an environment where she felt comfortable really digging into the layers of her cunning character.

"Jen and Josh, Liam and Willow, everyone had already sort of worked together and had this tight-knit — so I was kind of glad Francis Lawrence was a lone wolf coming in along with this giant reprise of a cast, as well as Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jeffrey Wright and all of these incredible people," she said. "So it didn't feel like it was one person coming in trying to, like, fit ...

Just in time for the dog days of summer, Ariana Grande has released her throwback, summer love anthem "Baby I" on Monday (July 22).

With its shimmering and bright production, the up-tempo song is the perfect follow-up for Grande's flirty lead single, Much like that first single, it features the "Sam & Cat" star's soaring vocals over some vintage production tailor-made for a mid-'90s Mariah Carey.

The song is all about her crush, with Grande singing to her dream lover, "Baby I got love for thee so deep inside of me/ I don't know where to start/ I love you more than anything/ But the words can't even touch what's in my heart."

As of press time, the single was sitting at #3 on the iTunes charts after she tweeted out the link in the early hours of Monday.

"Baby I," which manager Scooter Braun has already dubbed his choice cut on the release, is the latest tease off Grande's album, Daydreamin', slated for release later this summer.

When MTV News spoke to Grande back in May, she noted that her debut would be inspired, in part, by Carey. "You know I love just like old R&B. I love the '90s, that whole vibe. I love Mariah Carey, of course, she's the goddess of all vocals," she said, adding, "I just can't wait for them to hear the rest of it because it just gets better. 'The Way' is a great song in my opinion but the rest are, I think, better. So it's cool."

In addition to playing stops ...

Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Austin Mahone are currently having a blast on Swift's Red Tour. And they immortalized the fun — and their 2013 MTV Video Music Award nominations — via a series of buddy-buddy tweets, snaps and videos.

This past weekend, Sheeran started off the chain of love with an retweeted his friends in support.

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Each of the three musicians reacted to their nominations in their own ways. After discovering that he was nominated for an Artist to Watch, Presented by Taco Bell Moonman for his Colin Tilley-directed "What About Love" video, Mahone tweeted his glee — "JUST FOUND OUT I'M NOMINATED FOR A VMA!!!" He also told MTV News he plans to "throw a party, invite my friends and go crazy!" to celebrate his nomination.

Taylor, for her part, tweeted wryly: "Two VMA nominations!! If you vote and get us one, I promise to keep a firmer grip on the mic this time ;)" She was nominated twice for "I Knew You Were Trouble" (Video of the Year, Best Female Video).

If she and Sheeran win, they plan to team up to celebrate by putting on "loads of bling and pretend[ing] to be rappers," Sheeran said.

We wonder if the trio plans to sit together when the show goes down Sunday, August 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Selena Gomez said she wanted to throw "a huge party" for her 21st birthday. And that's exactly what she did in the early hours of Monday (July 22), the day of her actual birthday, when she dropped a celebratory clip for her Stars Dance cut "Birthday."

The gritty clip follows Selena and her pals as they party in a graffiti-filled warehouse, mirroring the lyrics of the up-tempo jam where she sings, "Blow your dreams away with me."

The video is the second official release off Stars Dance, following up "Come & Get It." Whereas the "Come & Get It" clip was a production that included several costume changes and choreographed dance routines, this video's more laid-back vibe seems to capture Gomez on a typical night with her friends.

On Saturday, two days before her own big day, Gomez and friends like Lily Collins gathered at the Roosevelt Hotel for a 20s-themed fete in honor of another birthday girl, Julianne Hough, according to a report. Gomez not only wore a flapper-inspired LBD, she accessorized it with some devil horns. She did celebrate her birthday in the early hours of Monday morning — with tacos! She wrote, "My cake was... Jack n the box tacos... Yes." #turnupNOW indeed!

Gomez will keep the party going this week when she drops her new album, Stars Dance, on Tuesday. And, she's made it clear to MTV News earlier this summer what her primary goal is.

"To be honest, most of the record actually speeds up once I release [the first single] 'Come & Get It'," ...