Kick-Ass 2 star Aaron Taylor-Johnson has emerged as the front runner to play Quicksilver in writer-director Joss Whedon's sequel The Avengers 2.

Last month, Joss Whedon confirmed that both Quicksilver (a.k.a. Pietro Maximoff) and his sister Scarlet Witch (a.k.a. Wanda Maximoff) will be a part of this Marvel Phase Two ensemble. Oddly enough, both Marvel and 20th Century Fox share the rights to these characters, whose father is Magneto from the X-Men universe. We reported last month that American Horror Story star Evan Peters is playing Quicksilver in director Bryan Singer's X-Men: Days of Future Past, which is currently shooting in Montreal.

Quicksilver possesses the gift of superhuman speed, while his sister Scarlet Witch can control the power of probability. It isn't quite clear how these superhero siblings will fit into the story quite yet.

In related news, Marvel is still negotiating with Robert Downey Jr. to return as Tony Stark/Iron Man for The Avengers 2. Last month's Iron Man 3 was the last movie in the actor's contract, so a new deal must be made if he is to return. Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk) and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) are all expected to return.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has Kick-Ass 2 hitting theaters this August, and he is currently shooting Godzilla in Vancouver for director Gareth Edwards.