The Avengers‘ release date is getting close and closer as we progress into the year, making us just shy of only three months until the film is released. Of course, more marketing and photos, along with plot details, will be revealed as the release window gets shorter and shorter. That all begins today as Empire Magazine’s photospread on the upcoming superhero team-up and interview with Marvel’s Kevin Feige both hit the internet, piping up a good amount of intrigue.

Special thanks to ComingSoon for both the photos and the interview quotes.

First, here is your latest look at The Avengers via scans of the magazine (click to enlarge):

Hmm…it seems Hawkeye and Black Widow are getting quite cozy. Could the two have a relationship within the film? That’s certainly been one hot rumor that certainly hasn’t been denied.

Speaking of denying rumors, the article within the magazine spoke with Marvel’s Kevin Feig, who decided it was time to get some rumors out of the way. With alien-motion capture squads seen in set photos, and video game tie-ins seemingly confirming their appearance, it seems Feig is calling that all into question:

“Who said they were aliens?” he teases. Beings from the Nine Realms, then, ventures Empire? “Closer…It’s not Skrulls, I’ve been clear about that. Beyond that, we want to hide it. The identity of the alien race is not impactful. It exists in the comic books, but we’re not setting up the Kree-Skrull war or anything like that.

So…just who is this mysterious army that Loki has at his hand? That’s something I suppose none of us will see until the film rolls. But, what about that rumor we’ve reported on as well about Red Skull possibly playing a hand into the events of the film? We did see him fly into a place that looked suspiciously like Asgard’s realm, however. So, will he be showing up in The Avengers:

“Was Skull vaporised at the end of the movie, or thrust into another realm?” asks Feige. “That remains to be seen. It would be fun to see Skull in future, but he’s not in this one.” Whedon though is a little more circumspect when Empire confronts him. “I do have a comment on that,” he says, before pulling a move worthy of Loki himself. “It’s…oh, you’re breaking up!”

No Skull either?! Just what can fans expect as a surprise when they step into theaters on May 4th? Hmm…very curious.

We’ll have more from The Avengers when a full-length trailer of the film is released within the next month.