Stars Hit Red Carpet For Screening Of 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron' In Chelsea

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The summer movie season is upon us.

The so-called summer kickoff begins Friday with the release of Marvel's "Avengers: Age Of Ultron."

On Tuesday night, some of the stars graced the red carpet at a private screening in Chelsea.

Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk, came out to support the film, but his partner in crime, Robert Downey Jr., who plays Ironman, was missing.

Jeremy Renner, who plays Hawkeye, said if it wasn't for Downey, he wouldn't have taken the role in the film.

"He is sort of he granddaddy of it all, even as sprite and as young as he is, he is the guy I look up to in this world," Renner told CBS2's Jill Nicolini.

In "Age of Ultron," the greatest superheroes reunite to help save the human race. Ironman with the Hulk try their best to stop the villainous Ultron from destroying everything in his path. The Black Widow, played by Scarlett Johansson, helps to tame the Hulk, and they become partners.

"She's tremendous," Renner said of the Black Widow.

New to the cast is  Scarlett Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen, who uses mind control to help see through someone's fears, and her twin brother is Quicksilver, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

"My character has supersonic speed. He's quick in every way, quick-tempered, hot-headed, he's very cocky," Taylor-Johnson said.

Although the movie isn't in theaters here until Friday, it has opened in 44 other markets around the globe, and it has grossed over $200 million, already exceeding expectations.

"It's been thrilling to be a part of the team," Renner said.

This is the second movie in the "Avengers" franchise, all gearing up for the third installment set to be released in 2018.