Marvel’s superheroes back in action

The Avengers superheroes are back to save the world from a rogue robot.

The cast and crew of Marvel’s blockbuster “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” including director Joss Whedon, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans, came to Seoul to promote the film ahead of its official opening.

They were joined by Mark Ruffalo and Kim Soo-hyun at a press conference at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido on Friday.

“We really started the movie by coming here, and this is actually the hotel where Claudia auditioned for a role,” director Joss Whedon told a crowd of reporters. 

“To come back here at the end of what was quite a long, extraordinary process is a perfect circle.”

The hype over the movie has been building since last year when part of the movie’s action scenes were shot in Seoul between March 30 and April 14. Scenes were filmed in areas near the Mapo Bridge, Gangnam, and the Hangang River.

One fight scene involving the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) whizzing around on a motorcycle on the streets of Gangnam was noticeable in a clip shown at the press conference.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s a beautiful city and you’re very welcoming at the airport,” said Chris Evans (who plays Captain America) about his third experience in Seoul. “Anytime you have to shoot abroad and you disrupt the rhythm of the city, you feel responsible. But you were so welcoming and we felt so at home here. Like one of the Beatles.”

Robert Downey Jr., who seemed at most ease in front of the Korean press, offered his ideas on what his on-screen persona Iron Man would do if he were in the city of Seoul.

“I’ve given this some consideration, and I’m down to several finalists,” he said.

“First, I would like to offer a shuttle service from downtown to the airport. I think I can take three passengers at a time,” he joked. “That (also) tied with Tony’s BBQ, where you put small bits of meat and poultry on my chest and I fry it.”

Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk, was in Korea for the first time ― and had high expectations.

“I quite expect to be dragged into the crowd and taken off into a wild night of fun and adventure, and to be placed back in my bed in my hotel room tonight swaddled in Korean silk,” he said, laughing.

The sequel to the 2012 megahit has special meaning for Whedon ― the film is his last in the “Avengers” series.

“I don’t know whether I’ll be continuing to work for Marvel in some other capacity,” he said. “I’ll probably just show up now and again to tell everyone what to do.”

The film also holds significance for Korea. Some of the cast included Korean stars, including actress and model Kim Soo-hyun, who played Dr. Helen Cho, a world-renowned geneticist who aids the Avengers in their endeavors.

“I didn’t hear a lot about the character of Helen Cho when I was first cast,” she said. “I did a lot of research on Amadeus Cho, and I completely trusted (Whedon). He carefully crafted each character to fit them to the cast.”

The film was also shot in several other locations around the world, including Italy and South Africa.

“The Avengers: Age of Ultron” brings Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and the rest of the Avengers crew together to protect humanity against a villainous Ultron. The film opens in Korea on April 23.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)