Official synopsis for Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron released

Today, Marvel released the official synopsis for AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, which follows on the heels of CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER. Directed by Joss Whedon, the sequel sports a new villain with James Spader's Ultron and a host of new characters, including Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, and Vision (and those are the ones we know about!). Excitement is naturally high to see the gang back together, especially after 2012's THE AVENGERS notched into the box office belt as the third-highest grossing film of all time. Tough act to follow, but based on the continued growth and success of Marvel Studios, I don't think anyone is breaking a sweat on this one.

Here's the official synopsis:

Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision. Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963. Get set for an action-packed thrill ride when The Avengers return in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015.

Not a lot of new information, especially if you've followed the developments and scoops that have seeped in over the past few months. Still, that doesn't diminish the excitement for the film, which is sure to be one of the top earners of 2015 and hopefully a kick ass flick to boot.

AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON hits theaters on May 1, 2015.