Update: Added high resolution versions, plus another Captain Amerca image courtesy of Paramount.

Entertainment Weekly has posted two brand-new photos of Captain America and Thor. Both characters are part of the upcoming Avengers film and have respective movies coming out this year.

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Captain America: The First Avenger is directed by Joe Johnston (The Wolfman, The Rocketeer) and stars Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci, Sebastian Stan and Dominic Cooper. This is the first official shot we have of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in full Captain America regalia (although the film is said to have a few costume switch-ups throughout). A teaser trailer for the film is expected to arrive soon.

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Thor is being helmed by veteran actor/director Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Sleuth) directing another solid cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba. You can view the trailer for Thor here.

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In a recent interview, director Johnston commented that it was very important to have the Captain America costume feel real, while remaining faithful to the comic – aside from just using the colours and shield. For example, Captain America needs the wings on his mask; having them painted on his helmet is much cooler and less campy than having actual pieces attached. Branagh has gone on record with similar feeling towards the look and feel of everything in Thor.

These two films are Marvel Studios’ buildup to the eventual Avengers film, and things look to be shaping up nicely. There looks to be something here for newcomers as well as old-school fans.

Thor hits theatres on May 6, 2011, followed by Captain America: The First Avenger on July 22, 2011.