'Avengers' to close Tribeca Film Fest

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NEW YORK, March 28 (UPI) -- "Marvel's The Avengers" has been chosen to close the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival in New York next month, organizers said Wednesday.

Directed by Joss Whedon and starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson, the superhero ensemble flick is to premiere April 28 at Tribeca BMCC Performing Arts Center.

Firefighters, police, emergency workers and members of the military will be invited to attend the screening and meet the movie's stars, organizers said.

"We are proud that 'Marvel's The Avengers' is the closing film of this year's Tribeca Film Festival and we are excited to welcome local heroes to the screening as special guests," Marvel Studios' producer Kevin Feige said in a statement. "We all know and love our iconic superheroes, but when it really counts, it's our real-life heroes who save the world every day by making it a better place for all of us."

"'Marvel's The Avengers' is an exciting ride that absolutely transports audiences," said Jane Rosenthal, the festival's co-founder. "It is the perfect way to end our 11th festival."

Whedon said showing his movie at Tribeca is "both an honor and a double homecoming" for him since he grew up in Manhattan and shot part of "The Avengers" there.

"I'm thoroughly psyched to be closing the festival with our intimate little think-piece," the director joked.

The movie is to be released in theaters May 4.

The 11th annual Tribeca Film Festival will begin April 18.