Marvel has premiered the much-anticipated trailer for "The Avengers," the Joss Whedon-directed epic adventure that brings together the major players of the studio's cinematic universe.

The two-minute teaser handily establishes the movie's premise, with Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury laying out a vision for "a group of remarkable people" to "fight the battle we never could." In this case that battle is with Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who intones, "You were made to be ruled. ... In the end, it will be every man for himself."

The trailer is, of course, heavy on the assembling, but fans are also treated to plenty of action, as well glimpses of Iron Man's new armor and, best of all, the new take on the Incredible Hulk. Naturally, Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark gets the best lines, whether it's bumping heads with Chris Evans' Captain America, complimenting Mark Rufallo's Bruce Banner on his ability to lose control, or solemnly vowing, "If we can't protect the Earth, you can be damned sure we'll avenge it."

"The Avengers," which opens May 4, 2012, also stars Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Clark Gregg, Cobie Smulders and Stellan Skarsgård.

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. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, "Marvel's The Avengers" is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series "The Avengers," first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when "Marvel's The Avengers" assemble in summer 2012. In "Marvel's The Avengers," superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.