In not so surprising news, nerds like comic book movies. A lot. The first trailer for Marvel’s all-star superhero movie The Avengers broke the iTunes record for most-viewed trailer in history. The first extended look at the film was downloaded over 10 million times in the first 24 hours that it was available. It broke the previous record of 6 million views in 24 hours that was held by the trailer for Transformers: The Dark of the Moon.

Hit the jump to read the full press release, and to watch the now record-breaking trailer. The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, and Cobie Smulders. The Avengers opens in 3D on May 4th, 2012.

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Here’s the full press release:

“MARVEL’S THE AVENGERS” TRAILER DOWNLOADED OVER 10 MILLION TIMES IN FIRST 24 HOURS ON ITUNES MOVIE TRAILERS

Breaks Site’s Previous Most-Viewed Trailer Record

Burbank, Calif., October 14, 2011 Marvel Studios announced today that the trailer for next summer’s most highly anticipated movie, “Marvel’s The Avengers,” has been downloaded over 10 million times in its first 24 hours on iTunes Movie Trailers (http://www.apple.com/trailers), shattering the most-viewed trailer record in the site's history.

The trailer, which debuted Tuesday, October 11, exclusively on iTunes Movie Trailers, gives fans a sneak peak at “Marvel’s The Avengers”—the Super Hero team up of a lifetime—based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since.

The film unites the world’s greatest Super Heroes when Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) join S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Nick Fury (Samuel Jackson) to protect the world from the dangerously powerful villain, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

An exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects,  “Marvel’s The Avengers” is from Marvel Studios in association with Paramount Pictures, produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon.

“Marvel’s The Avengers” will be released on May 4, 2012.