Comic book fans finally get the chance to see their favourite heroes together when Avengers Assemble – several years in the making – arrives on the big screen this weekend.
With a more fleshed-out role in this film, the star hints that if her character is well received, there could be the possibility of starring in more movies – maybe even her own franchise.
"Marvel understands the value of fan participation and if the fans respond to certain characters, they'll invest more in that character," she says.
"There's always the possibility [of more films], but even if there was a possibility, we'd never tell."
One newcomer to the franchise was Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner and The Hulk – roles played by Edward Norton and Eric Bana in previous films.
A Hulk fan as a child, Ruffalo says he was attracted to the idea of being the first actor to play both roles, as the giant green monster had been only a computer-generated creation before, and this time motion-capture technology would be used.
"People have had a great expectation of the Hulk for a long time," he says. "But technology has advanced to the point where an actor can inhabit the Hulk and there's now a seamlessness between Banner turning into him."
Ruffalo adds his experience has made him more sympathetic to the issue of more recognition for motion-capture actors during awards season, raised when Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis was overlooked for his performance as Gollum, and highlighted again with the stars of James Cameron's Avatar.
"There's a performance, but there's also the aspect of the animators too which rarely gets talked about," he says.
"It would be cool if the whole team was considered, [but actors] should at least be recognised or have the capability of being recognised in some way.
"Yes there was an element of wearing a leotard, but it was a very intensive process."
Egos
Despite the A-list ensemble, the cast insist there was no room for individual egos on set.
"Once we realised the trailers were the same size we calmed down," Ruffalo jokes.
Hiddleston adds: "It would be so ironic trying to make a film about the achievements of a team to have a load of individuals throwing their toys out of their prams and acting like divas."
And being superheroes, the cast had moments of "wardrobe embarrassment" which led them all to be humiliated at one point or another.
"My leotard made all the wrong places look big and all the right places look small," Ruffalo complains.
Hiddleston adds: "Chris Evans and Scarlett were flying the flag for Spandex – and there was a moment when I saw [Thor] Chris Hemsworth being literally drilled into his costume as one of the discs on his breastplate had fallen off."
Rveiews so far have been largely positive, but the litmus test is whether fans of the comic book series approve. They will be the ones whose reaction decides whether the Avengers franchise continues.
Nevertheless, the cast are prepared to be tied to the series – and everything else that comes with it.
"We don't know what the future holds for these characters – we all signed on with the hope that we'd be able to explore them more," Johansson says.
"But I love the action figures – I just became Lego which is the best thing that ever happened to me."
Avengers Assemble is on general release now.
