Ruffalo, Renner join 'Avengers' cast

SAN DIEGO, July 26 (UPI) -- Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner have joined the cast of the superhero ensemble movie "The Avengers," it was announced at Comic-Con in San Diego, Calif.

Actor Robert Downey Jr., who is to play Iron Man in the flick, told the fans and media gathered at the convention during the weekend that Ruffalo will play Bruce Banner and The Hulk and Renner is to play Hawkeye in "The Avengers," which Joss Whedon is directing.

Set for a 2012 theatrical release, the film will also star Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson.

Ruffalo can be seen in the current release "The Kids Are Alright." Renner earned an Oscar nomination for his work in "The Hurt Locker."