The Avengers 4 Looking to Cast the Yakuza?

A new report is suggesting that the yet-to-be-titled Avengers 4 is looking to cast Japanese mobster extras, also known as the Yakuza. With Avengers: Infinity War at the tail-end of its principal photography, attention is slowly shifting to its direct sequel which is set to cap-off Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3 and 22-run film narrative when it rolls out in 2019.

Marvel Studios is keeping their lips tightly shut regarding what we can expect from Avengers 4. The film, which is still directed by the Russo Brothers (Joe and Anthony) and is still penned by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely who, like the Russos did Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War and Avengers 3, has yet to release any official synopsis. Originally set as the second installment for what was supposed to be a two-part Infinity War film, the directors eventually decided to retitle the project explaining that it was kind of misleading given that it is not technically a part 2 of its predecessor, but a different (albeit connected) narrative altogether.

The intel comes from website Omega Underground which has uncovered a casting call for extras specifically for Japanese gangsters, as well, as Japanese cafe patrons. This has led the outlet to believe that on top of just featuring the Yakuza in the film, we might also get a location shot in the East Asian country. The requirements for the film parts are as follows:

"*Japanese Gangsters (Background/Extras):

-Male 20-49

-Slender build, this will be a night shoot and will involve rain work and facial prosthetics.

*Japanese Cafe Patrons (Background/Extras):

-Females and Males 18-80"

Guardians of the Galaxy and the Avengers team up in Infinity War

The scene under the rain is penciled for shooting between August 17 and 18 which coincides with Avengers 4 production schedule set to run July 17 until December 13. At this point, it is still quite hard to pinpoint how the mobsters or the Japan filming will fit in the ongoing narrative thread that the MCU is tackling. And it seems a bit odd that coming from Infinity War, where everything is grand and cosmic, the superheroes will suddenly level down to fight street level criminals like the Yakuza. Unless, of course, they are part of something bigger than just your average thugs running the streets or they are nothing more than just a stepping stone for a bigger reveal.

The MCU films might not have tackled gangsters, but the Marvel/Netflix shows have touched on the notion a bit in some of their properties like Daredevil and Iron Fist, especially like the fictional supervillain group called The Hand. They will also be playing a huge part in the upcoming ensemble show, The Defenders, where they will act under the supervision of main villain, Alexandra (Sigourney Weaver). Although it is important to note that while many fans would like the Marvel film and TV universes to finally cross paths, company exec Kevin Feige has been adamant about having no plans for a crossover in the foreseeable future.

In the pages of the comic books, other Marvel characters have also had run-ins with the Yakuza, particularly Black Widow and Spider-Man. While Tom Holland's iteration of the web-slinging hero is already confirmed for Avengers 4, Scarlett Johansson's iconic assassin's fate is still in limbo especially with Feige teasing several Phase 1 cast members meeting their end in Infinity War.