Westlake 'Avengers' extra anticipates big-screen debut

Mel Maurer gets the star treatment in the makeup room before shooting his scene in "The Avengers" last August.

It’s now been almost eight months since I stood before the cameras of those making the superhero movie, “The Avengers” in the County Court House. My scene – how could it be called anything else? – may well be the most pivotal one in the reportedly $250 million blockbuster. (Of which $155 was paid to me as an extra, or as some might say, “background artist.”)

Since shooting was completed, I’ve patiently waited to participate more in the process of rolling it out to its premiere on May 4. My heart first beat faster when I received a letter from Hollywood just days after my work – I had not filled in a block on my application.

I soon received another Hollywood envelope – containing a check for my performance. Somehow I couldn’t get any media interest in taking my picture cashing the check.

Then, as Christmas approached and some of the other stars – Thor, Iron Man and Captain America, among others – began to appear in magazines and on TV teasing about their roles. Still no call came for me.

January came and with it another mailing from Hollywood. Yes, finally – maybe they want me to pose for the movie poster – perhaps standing there in my tux about to whip my cummerbund at the villain, Loki. But no, it was only a tax form for my work. Had I not electronically filed my return I would have added a note for the IRS to check out my Hollywood W-2 which I know would have been impressive, something to tell their kids when they got home.

I thought for sure they were saving me for the various premieres and could picture myself walking the Red Carpet with a young starlet (my wife did give me permission to do this once she stopped laughing). Alas, no calls came – had they lost my number, my address? No, it’s not easy being a star.

And now, as the movie will soon open here in Westlake, I plan, along with my friend, William Vodrey, who stumbled into this gig with me, to see my movie on May 6 at the Regal Theaters, along with some family and friends – the more eyes trying to see us on screen the better.

We’ll be in a scene (or so we hope) depicting a reception for an Egyptian exhibit in a German museum (or opera house). I’ll be standing near a man speaking German announcing something when Loki appears. I’m the one jumping up and down yelling “Look at me, look at me!”

Whether we make it to the screen or not, it was nice for the movie people to let William and I play with their big movie – definitely something to tell the grandkids.