Here's the first full trailer from Marvel Studios for Joss Whedon's Avengers, which stars Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), and Tom Hiddleston (Loki). 

While not revealing very much about the plot of the film, this first full trailer sets up the “supergroup” concept and gives each of the team of superheroes a brief chance to strut their stuff, though there is no doubt that Robert Downey, Jr. dominates the trailer with his characteristic quips and iconic bravado—“We may not be able to save the Earth, but are damn sure going to avenge it!”  Tim Hiddleston’s Loki is glimpsed briefly, but the nature of his villainy remains obscure at this point.

 In recent weeks Marvel has stepped up the pace in releasing images from The Avengers (see “New Avengers Pics”).  This summer Whedon shot major action sequences, some glimpses of which can be seen in the trailer, in Cleveland (see “Captain America on the Streets of Cleveland”) and New York (see “Avengers Filming in Manhattan”).

The Avengers, which many Hollywood observers believe could be one of the biggest hits of next year, is slated to debut nationwide on May 4th, 2012.