The cast of the 2012 blockbuster The Avengers has reunited for a unique and meaningful project: dubbing the film into the Lakota language. This initiative was spearheaded by Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A Special Project for the Lakota Community
The Marvel films have gained a massive global following, earning billions at the box office and receiving widespread acclaim. Although the original Avengers cast—Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, and Mark Ruffalo—hasn’t been active together in the MCU for some time, they’ve come together for a special cause.
The Avengers have now been dubbed in Lakota, a language spoken by around 2,000 people from the Sioux tribes. This effort is a significant step in preserving a dying language. The Lakota version of The Avengers is available on Disney Plus, thanks to Ruffalo’s dedication to the project.
Mark Ruffalo: The Driving Force
Mark Ruffalo is a notable advocate for the Lakota people. His involvement in projects like the documentary Lakota Nation vs. United States has shown his commitment to their cause. For this dubbing project, Ruffalo brought together the original Avengers cast, including Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner, who participated despite still recovering from a severe snow plow accident.
Ruffalo shared that organizing the cast for this project was challenging but rewarding. He mentioned, “Everyone was into it,” and emphasized the complexity of the Lakota language, which has unique sounds not found in English. Despite the difficulties, the cast found the experience fulfilling.
The Impact of the Project
The dubbing process took over 15 months and involved 62 Lakota-Dakota speakers, in addition to the original Avengers cast. Ray Taken Alive, the executive producer of the Lakota dub, highlighted the significance of the project, saying, “You have the most famous film franchise in the world and some of the most famous actors, celebrities, and characters speaking our Lakota language that was once banned.” This project represents a powerful reclamation of the Lakota language and culture.
Behind the scenes, the Avengers cast was dedicated to getting the language right, demonstrating their commitment to this meaningful cause. For the Lakota community, this project is more than just a film; it’s a celebration of their heritage and a significant step toward keeping their language alive.
