The film's development began when Marvel Studios received a loan from Merrill Lynch in April

2005. After the success of the film Iron Man in May 2008, Marvel announced that The
Avengers would be released in July 2011. With the signing of Johansson in March 2009, the film
was pushed back for a 2012 release. Whedon was brought on board in April 2010 and rewrote
the original screenplay by Zak Penn. Production began in April 2011 in Albuquerque, New
Mexico, before moving to Cleveland, Ohio, in August and New York City in September. The film
was converted to 3D in post-production.
The Avengers premiered on April 11, 2012, at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre and was released
in the United States on May 4, 2012. The film received positive reviews from critics, as well
as numerous awards and nominations including Academy Award and BAFTAnominations for
achievements in visual effects. It set or tied numerous box office records, including the biggest
opening weekend in the United States and Canada. The Avengers grossed over $1.5 billion
worldwide and became the third-highest-grossing film of all time, as well as the highest-grossing
film of 2012. It is the first Marvel production to generate $1 billion in ticket sales. In 2017, it was
featured as one of the 100 greatest films of all time in Empire magazine's poll of The 100
Greatest Movies.
Two sequels, titled Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Infinity War, were released in May
2015 and April 2018, respectively, while Avengers: Endgame is scheduled for release in April
2019.