When a big geek project goes into development, fans are eager for any scrap of information they can find.  Inevitably, rumors begin to pop up in the film's early days, and we report them on the off-chance that they could be true.  Some information may have been true at the time, but then the script changed.  Perhaps wishful geeking was misinterpreted as real information.  And then there's always good, old-fashioned subterfuge on behalf of the production.The Avengers was a blockbuster over four years in the planning, and plenty of rumors had time to surface over the course of its production.  The film has finally been released (to a record-breaking $200 million opening weekend), and now we know which rumors turned to be true, false, or somewhere in between.  Hit the jump for the rumor recap.[This article contains major spoilers about The Avengers] "Will the Skrulls Be the Villains in THE AVENGERS (May 20, 2010)Here's what we reported:

According to ComicBookMovie.com several insider reports” that say the Skrulls will be setting up an infiltration in the first film with a planned sequel heralding a full-on invasion.  It was previously rumored that the plot would have Thor’s villain, Loki, casting a spell on Hulk so that he would be facing off against the Avengers.  If this new rumor is to be believed, the Skrulls would brainwash Hulk for the same purpose.  Additionally, the alien race, “The Kree” will be allied with Earth against the Skrulls.

True or False: Mostly false.

The Reality: No one casts a spell on Hulk, although Loki did cast spells on other characters.  The Kree are nowhere to be found in the movie.  Most importantly, while the Skrulls are never mentioned in The Avengers, the Chitauri are another name for the Skrulls in the Ultimate Marvel Universe.  However, the "full-on" invasion is apparently attempted in The Avengers, and doesn't go so well for the Chitauri.  It's worth mentioning that Whedon said in March 2012 that the Skrulls aren't in the movie, so I guess he doesn't really identify the Skrulls with the Chitauri.

Marvel to Introduce Second-Tier Superheroes Through Short Films (June 21, 2010)

Here's what we reported:

Now, according to a rumor that Latino Review attributes to a well-placed source, executives at Disney/Marvel are considering making short, ten-minute films that introduce lesser known superheroes (like Luke Cage or Dr. Strange) that would play before features like Thor or Captain America: The First Avenger.  Until we see the press release, this report is more speculation than anything else.

True or False: False

The Reality: We haven't heard anything about short Marvel films since.  I assume this idea was probably kicked around the Disney/Marvel offices, but never gained any real traction.

Joss Whedon Promises Black Widow “Will Not Be the Only Female Character” in THE AVENGERS (August 23, 2010)

Here's what we reported:

Joss Whedon says "It is true that the movie is only going to have one female Avenger.  But she will not be the only female character."

True or False: Technically true.

The Reality: Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) was the only female Avenger.  However, the film did have two other named female characters: Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow).  Sadly, those other two female characters were so insignificant that this rumor was only technically true.

Gwyneth Paltrow Says Pepper Potts Will NOT Be in THE AVENGERS (December 11, 2010)

Here's what we reported:

Paltrow was doing press for Country Strong, and Steve asked her directly if Pepper Potts was going to be in The Avengers.  Paltrow responded:

Surprisingly, she said, “no. no Pepper.”  I then asked if this was for sure or was it a maybe.  She said, “I think it’s a for sure.  I think they’re starting shooting soon and they probably would have asked me by now.”

True or False: False

The Reality: Pepper Potts is in three brief scenes in the movie. It's likely that Marvel asked her to be in the movie between this interview and when cameras started rolling.

Will THE AVENGERS Battle the Skrulls and the Kree? (December 26, 2010)

Here's what we reported:

The Albuquerque Journal [via AICN] printed the following in a recent writeup of the Avengers‘ planned visit to Albuquerque Studios:

“The Avengers script will blend Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger story lines as the Avengers battle with two alien races, the Skrulls and the Kree.”

True or False: False

The Reality: There are no Kree in The Avengers.  The Skrull-Kree war was a story arc in The Avengers 1970s comics.  And as we said, the Skrulls are technically in the movie, but they go by the name of the Chitauri.

Marvel Shot a Secret AVENGERS Trailer Featuring the Villain of the Film? (March 2, 2011)

Here's what we reported:

AICN is reporting that Marvel recently shot a teaser trailer with Loki, Thor’s brother (played by Tom Hiddleston in Kenneth Branagh’s Thor). Now, you may remember that back in Steve’s video blog for his Thor set visit, he mentioned that the ending of that film hinted at setting Loki up as the villain for The Avengers. It looks like this all may turn out to be true.

In addition to Loki, Latino Review is reporting that Thor’s archenemy will get a hold of the cosmic cube seen in Hugo Weaving’s hand in the Captain America trailer in order to summon the Skrulls to help him take over Earth.

True or False: True

The Reality: The teaser trailer after the credits of Captain America: The First Avenger show Loki being escorted through the interior of the Helicarrier.  Additionally, Loki did get his hands on the cosmic cube (although we didn't know it would be called the "tesseract" in the movie), but he arguably used it to "summon" the "skrulls" since they couldn't have invaded Earth if he didn't use the cube to open the portal.

Another Major Villain May Be Starring in THE AVENGERS [Potential Spoilers] (May 27, 2011)

Here's what we reported:

According to Latino Review, Thanos would appear in The Avengers but LR wouldn't say in what capacity.

True or False: True

The Reality: Thanos appears in a brief scene midway through the credits of The Avengers.  Click here to learn more about the character.  (As a side-note, I'm thrilled that I forgot this story when I went to see the movie).

Clark Gregg Discusses the Possibility of an Agent Colson Spin-Off Movie (July 17, 2011)

Here's what we reported:

Collider: What about your own superhero spinoff flick?

CLARK GREGG: You know, I certainly think it’s a great idea. I’m just trying to get the Marvel guys as excited about it as I am. They seem to be weirdly more open to it. There’s more talk about seeing Agent Coulson in some other mediums, lately, and I’m open to the idea.

True or False: Mostly false.

The Reality: Since filming was well underway when Gregg gave this interview (Gregg said he was almost completely wrapped on the movie), he probably knew his character was going to die.  Granted, the "Agent Coulson in other mediums" did come to fruition in the short films "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer" and "The Consultant".  There's always the possibility of prequels or flashbacks, but we've probably (and sadly) seen the last of Agent Phil Coulson.

Joss Whedon Says THE AVENGERS Will Be from Captain America’s Perspective (January 13, 2012)

Here's what we reported:

In the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly, Whedon explains,

“I set out with a very simple problem: There is no reason for these people to be in the same movie. So that’s what my movie has to be about.  So much of the movie takes place from Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) perspective, since he’s the guy who just woke up and sees this weird ass world. Everyone else has been living in it.”

True or False: False

The Reality: When the director says something about this movie, it doesn't really qualify as a rumor.  However, this statement didn't come to pass.  The Avengers isn't from any one perspective.  It's possible that Whedon intended to make the movie from Steve Rogers's perspective, but decided not to go that way after getting in the editing room.  As we recently reported, there are 30 minutes of deleted scenes and they focus on Captain America.