Avengers Movie Features Skrull/Kree

Update: Marvel has apparently debunked the news by saying the information wasn't officially released by Marvel Studios. You can take that to mean two things. Either it really is wrong or Marvel is trying to do PR damage control and save the news for a big reveal on their part.

Ain't It Cool News has an interesting tidbit up regarding the upcoming Avengers film. Mainly, it will feature the Skrull and Kree. Where'd they get this juicy tidbit? Strangely enough the Albuquerque Journal. The print edition of the periodical features the following line:

"'The Avengers" script will blend 'Iron Man', 'Thor', and 'Captain America: The First Avenger' story lines as the Avengers battle with two alien races, the Skrulls and the Kree."

Now, anyone outside of Albuquerque can't access that article without subscribing (the journal must abide my Rupert Murdoch's business model of putting everything behind a paywall in an effort to save print). Dying mediums aside, what does this mean for the film? Well, assuming it pans out it means a few things for the film.

First off it really makes sense. The Kree/Skrull War was a major storyline in Avengers #89-97. The original features a whole lot more than just Captain America, Iron Man and Thor; characters such as Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and, most interestingly, Ant-Man play a part in the story. This would work out well because then you have the core three characters that Marvel is trying to build their universe around along with the possibility of introducing new characters. It would also give it that intergalactic feel that Avengers sort of needs, as well as lots of space and fighting. People are going to want a popcorn flick when they see the Avengers, so Marvel will definitely make sure that it's chock full of fighting, drama and intense comic book action.

Second, Ant-Man has longed been rumored to be in development by Edgar Wright, with Nathan Fillion possibly reprising the main role. Including him in the Avengers movie would be a great audience test for Marvel to determine whether or not that film should actually go forward. I don't see them trying to crank it out before Avengers comes out, especially after Wright's relative non-success (financially) with the brilliant Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. He's one of the second tier characters that Marvel has always dabbled with making a feature character and would supplement a roster that includes Dr. Strange and Iron Fist.

Finally, involving the Kree/Skrull would be a great way to reboot Fantastic Four. The Kree debuted in Fantastic Four #86 while the Skrull debuted in Fantastic Four #2. The Fantastic Four have always had that intergalactic feel and featuring the Kree/Skrull in the Avengers movie would also give Marvel the chance to include the new look Fantastic Four in the film. Can you say springboard? It's an easy way for Marvel to get a lot of this stuff sorted out and continue to build their movie universe featuring all their characters.

Where the Albuquerque Journal got the news and whether or not it's true are for another day. Right now, I can say that if it pans out then it could make for an interesting Avengers film. Plus, there will most likely be an appearance by the Negative Zone, which would simultaneously freak and excite Tedd.