It’s official, Joss Whedon is directing The Avengers movie — and actor Mark Ruffalo is now the Hulk, replacing Ed Norton.

Joss Whedon: “I have had a dream all my life and it was not this good.” …”This is The Avengers; a team is more than the sum of its parts — this cast is more than I could have ever hoped for … and I am going to blow it. I need your love; I need your support.”

Here’s the info and pic we just received from Marvel:

(L-R) Robert Downey Jr., Clark Gregg, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, Director Joss Whedon, Producer and Marvel Studios’ President Kevin Feige from the motion picture MARVEL STUDIOS’ THE AVENGERS in which Earth’s Mightiest Heroes including Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Nick Fury and Agent Coulson assemble together on screen for the first time. Click photo for larger view:

Sadly, no, Nathan Fillion nor Simon Pegg will not be portraying Ant-Man — at least in the Avengers movie. Just an internet rumor, started by Joss Whedon himself, who stated: “Nathan Fillion is Ant-Man. Unfortunately Ant-Man isn’t really in the movie.” Later, Joss commented: “No that was a joke. Unfortunately there is no such thing as sarcasm at Comic Con. That’s why I explained that he’s not actually Ant-Man – although by the way I think he would be great – Ant-Man does not appear in The Avengers. I just like to play with Nathan. And if you ever get a chance to ask him to do his Ant-Man audition, you will not be disappointed.”

Here’s Nathan Fillion at Comic-Com commenting on that his schedule is too busy for Ant-Man:

So what direction will The Avenegers take as they head to the big screen? io9 spoke to Joss: “It just really just goes back to the very first incarnation of The Avengers. It goes to The Ultimates, it goes to everything about it. It makes no sense, it’s ridiculous. There’s a thunder god, there’s a green “ID” giant rage monster, there’s Captain America from the 40s, there’s Tony Stark who definitely doesn’t get along with anybody. Ultimately these people don’t belong together and the whole movie is about finding yourself from community. And finding that you not only belong together but you need each other, very much. Obviously this will be expressed through punching but it will be the heart of the film”