Pro: The director of a $600 million-grossing blockbuster at least deserves a mention on a list like this, no? Whedon has been finding his own way through the Hollywood system for two decades and he was rewarded with a big gig that he knocked out of the park. It's an industry that likes to raise a toast to success, after all.

Con: But, well, I think we've been here before and with a film that seemed all but destined for major category nominations: Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight." The lesson that year was that the Academy isn't so willing to embrace comic book adaptations and "The Avengers" is bold faced in that regard. It's just not likely to garner that level of respect, even if it is admired as a marketplace milestone.

- Kristopher Tapley