'Avengers' Stars on Red Carpet: So, Who'd Win In a Battle Royal?

Our burning question for the stars at the L.A. premiere of The Avengers: Which Avenger — and actor in the ensemble — would win in a battle royal? Click through to see how they size up the contenders’ strengths.

STELLAN SKARSGARD (RIGHT) WITH ALEXANDER SKARSGARD

Stellan Skarsgard: ”I guess probably the Hulk when he’s angry.”
[And in an actors’ free-for-all?] ”I don’t need super powers. I have the brain. I would win because I am the only one who doesn’t have to wear a funny costume. Those costumes weigh a ton.”

SCARLETT JOHANSSON

”I think I would have a fair shot. Sure they have their man size going for them but I have youth on my side. I am also a little slippery. But I think in the end, Renner would probably win. Why? Because he is a scrappy kind of guy. He’s done so many Bourne and Mission: Impossible type movies at this point that surely he’s picked up some special skills. He could probably bench press us all. But as characters, I’d have to go with the Hulk. He genuinely scares Black Widow. He just smashes everything without thought or control.”

JEREMY RENNER

”Hemsworth and Evans have way more muscle than me. I’m not a fighter. I would rather shake some drinks and make martinis for everybody than fight them. And if we are talking characters I think Captain America has strength, weapons, and strategy going for him.”

CHRIS HEMSWORTH

”Oh geez. Scarlett would kill us all I think. She’s lethal. We had the same trainer and she put us all to shame in training. She’s quick. She’s athletic. She’s strong and slippery. I’m going with Scarlett. Power to the women!”

MARK RUFFALO WITH SUNRISE COIGNEY

Mark Ruffalo: ”Well, the Hulk of course. He’s huge and strong and bullets don’t kill him.”
[And among the actors?] ”That’s more difficult to answer. Maybe us older heroes — myself, Robert, Sam — would form an alliance to take out the young guns one by one.”

ROBERT DOWNEY JR. WITH SUSAN DOWNEY

Robert Downey Jr.: ”Well, not all of us are in the same weight class so it is hard to say between Hemsworth and Evans. I think they’re pretty evenly matched. I think it would go to the ground. Then I think it’s me, Ruffalo, and Renner in a quote-unquote three-way in which I lay waste to them with sleeper holds but then we cuddle. And then it is Hiddleston versus Johansson if I am not mistaken. That probably just winds up in dinner at a five-star restaurant somewhere.”

COBIE SMULDERS

”Hemsworth. Have you seen his muscles? He’s a giant. I’m wearing four-inch heels and he’s still taller than me. I think if we are talking characters, I think it still might be him. Thor is a God. He is strong and in control unlike the Hulk.”

JOSS WHEDON

”The actors? Interesting. It’s a little scary to stand next to Chris Hemsworth when he’s been bulking up. So I’m going to give him the nod.”
[And in a matchup of superheroes?] ”Oh, easy. The Hulk. Hulk is the strongest one there is, so that is not much of a discussion.”

STAN LEE

”Very honestly it depends on who is writing it and who he wants to win. We writers are a little like God. I think I will kill that guy and save this guy. And this one will have amnesia. So it depends who is writing the cage match.”
[And in an actors’ throwdown?] ”What do they have to fight about? They were all paid to be in The Avengers.”

CLARK GREGG WITH JENNIFER GREY

Clark Gregg: ”My money is almost uniformly on Scarlett Johansson. Who is going to stand in her way? Women generally find a way to come out on top and especially her. I mean she does this chair flip thing in the film that is so awesome. And if anyone could actually beat her, they’d fall in love with her and she’d dump them and that’s a victory too. She wins either way.”

CHRIS EVANS

”It’s either Thor or Hulk because at the end of the day, they have the most brute power.”
[And if the actors squared off?] ”Jeremy exudes charisma and strength. He’s scrappy. That’s the best way to describe him.”