Organisers of the Academy Awards are reportedly scrambling to try and book as many Avengers stars as possible to make up for the lack of a host at this year's ceremony.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the show on 24 February will instead rely on a rotating cast of stars to introduce various segments on the night.
The move was apparently inspired by the success of the superhero franchise and also the well-received 2013 telecast that featured Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/The Hulk), Samuel L Jackson (Nick Fury) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye).
Kevin Hart stepped down as host for this year's Oscars after controversy erupted over his past homophobic comments.
Despite speculation that he might return following support from Ellen DeGenres, the comedian and actor recently said he was "done" apologising and he was "over it".
"I have explained how I've evolved," he told Good Morning America anchor Michael Strahan. "I'm not saying how I've changed any more. I'm not saying what I've done, and what the new me is. I'm not giving no more explanation of who I am. I've done it. I've done it several times."
The Academy has not yet commented on the Avengers reports.
