Stellan Skarsgård Returns For 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron'

We didn't know how big it would be, but when news broke that Stellan Skarsgård was returning for Joss Whedon's first Avengers film, we knew it was a big deal. Skarsgård's character, Dr. Erik Selvig,  appeared in the Thor post-credit scene and was a key piece in Loki's plan to take over Earth. The question now is, if he comes back for Avengers: Age of Ultron, would it be for a story role that is equally as important?

We'll find out soon, because in a new interview Skarsgård confirmed that he is indeed coming back for the May 1, 2015 sequel. Read the Stellan Skarsgard Avengers: Age of Ultron news below.

Skarsgård revealed the role in an interview with Total Film, via Comic Book Movie. The quotes started when talking about first getting the role in the original Thor:

I didn't have much clue about the Marvel universe at that time. What I said to Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel, was, 'All those superheroes? Still in those comic books? Can you make money out of that?' The whole table just froze and looked at me as if I was an idiot. But you sign on for at least five films, I think. Or I did. I'm going to do my fourth. I'm going to be in Avengers: Age Of Ultron, a small appearance. It's something really nice. Even if it's owned by Disney now, it's really run by four or five people, and they know exactly what they're doing. I like working with them because if I have a problem with the scene, I have Kevin Feige's number. I can call the head of the studio. You can't do that when you work on a normal Disney film or with Warner Bros or Paramount.

So it's "a small appearance" and "something really nice." Could it be some kind of touching cameo? The actor next joked about being naked in Thor: The Dark World (which some sites are reading as a suggesting he's doing that in Avengers 2. I don't agree with the context) and then said this about the role:

First of all, I don't know what I'm allowed to say. But usually they call me in if they need something explained. There's a lot of explanations to do when it comes to that universe.

So maybe it's not a touching cameo. Something more traditional, perhaps?

The list of characters who cameo in the film, from the past, present, living and dead add some very odd potential to Age of Ultron. Russ suggested to me at Comic-Con (after the insane final shot in the Avengers: Age of Ultron teaser) that Scarlet Witch is getting into the mind of our heroes and giving them visions. That's a very simple, blanket way to explain almost anyone appearing in the movie. Selvig, though, knows his technology and maybe, as the actor said, will be able to explain something about Ultron. Or possibly he works for S.H.I.E.L.D., or whatever S.H.I.E.L.D. has become in the film. Again, I guess we'll see.

Avengers: Age of Ultron opens May 1.