Marvel has debuted the first clip from "The Avengers," featuring Scarlett Johansson as a "captive" Black Widow being pulled out of a mission by Clark Gregg as a very patient Agent Phil Coulson. "Natasha," he says to his protesting operative, "Barton's been compromised," perhaps offering another piece to the puzzle that is the film's well-guarded plot.

Clocking in at a mere 43 seconds, the scene delivers the balance of action and humor that audiences have come to expect from Marvel's cinematic universe, and director Joss Whedon, as Black Widow puts Agent Coulson on hold while she turns the tables on her would-be interrogators.

Opening May 4, "The Avengers" also stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Mark Ruffalo as the Incredible Hulk, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Cobie Smulders as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill and Stellan Skarsgård as Dr. Selvig.

Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures Marvel's "The Avengers" - the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.