We’ve been sharing a number of deleted scenes and featurettes from the upcoming Blu-ray release of The Avengers over the past week or so, but arguably the most exciting extra yet has just been released online: an alternate opening to the film.  This deleted scene actually opens the film up with Cobie Smulders’ Agent Maria Hill being interrogated following the events that happen in the film’s finale, setting up the rest of the movie as a flashback.  We see glimpses of New York City destruction, a solemn Captain America, and a tease of Hulk that would have proved ridiculously tantalizing had we seen this alternate opening on first viewing.  I actually think I might prefer this scene to how the movie opens now, as it hints at the grave nature of what’s to come before being thrown into the somewhat confusing research facility sequence.  That said, it doesn't really fit with the lighter tone that Whedon and Marvel settled on for the theatrical release. Hopefully the Blu-ray also comes with a commentary and/or featurette with Whedon discussing why he opted not to use this opening.Hit the jump to watch the deleted scene.  The Avengers hits Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download on September 25th.Click over to Yahoo! to watch in HD.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Avengers:

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.