'Avengers' Assemble: Five Heroes Joss Whedon Should Recruit Next

by Marvin Van Buren

Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk — these are just some of the core Marvel heroes heading to "The Avengers" this summer. But though these characters (plus Hawkeye and Black Widow) make up some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, they don't account for all of them. There are several other Avengers out there that Joss Whedon could have fit into the movie — but hey, that's what the sequel's for!

Keep reading for five more Marvel heroes we hope to see Whedon bring into the next "Avengers" movie.

Ant-Man: Many fans are still curious why the good shrinking doctor is not included in the "Avengers" movie. Ant-Man is one of the founding members in the earlier issues alongside Thor and Iron Man. It's known in the industry that Edgar Wright has been in developing "Ant-Man" for some time, but Whedon could also do the character justice. And let's face it: who doesn't want to see Ant-Man transform into Giant-Man in the streets of New York?

Sentry: Not the most popular superhero in recent years, sure, but Sentry is still one of Marvel's most significant attempts at the conventional all-powerful hero — albeit with more schizophrenia than your average bear. If there's one writer and director who could make Sentry sing on screen, it's Joss Whedon. Plus, think about the potential of seeing a superhero with the "power of one million exploding suns" on the big screen. Enough said.

Luke Cage: As the current leader of the "New Avengers" in the comics, Cage has become a much more prominent hero in Marvel lore over the years. He has a strong connection to Captain America in the comics, and is deeply moved when the star-spangled super soldier falls in "Captain America" #25. Really, Cage has strong relationships with all the "Avengers" roster, and if there's one thing that Whedon specializes in, it's relationships. That, and quippy dialogue. And you know Cage loves himself some quippy dialogue.

Wasp: When many fans think of the Avengers, they think of The Wasp being a part of the team. Janet Van Dyne is a founding member and is at the core existence of the Avengers legacy — and with her death at the end of "Secret Invasion," she makes for easy fodder for Whedon's signature shocking death.

Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch: These two are easily some of the most interesting members of the Avengers, for the fact of being the children of Magneto. Their back stories would give Whedon some serious drama to work with, and make for a possible awesome confrontation between Magneto — even though that'll never happen as long as Fox has the "X-Men" rights. But hey, a fanboy can dream!

Tell us which "Avengers" heroes you want to see next in the comments and on Twitter!