Cobie Smulders, from “Marvel’s The Avengers” to “Delivery Man”

She recently starred as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill in “Marvel’s The Avengers,” which grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide. She will reprise her role for “Captain America Winter Soldier” which will be released on April 4, 2014 and also for “The Avengers 2.” But for now, Cobie Smulders stars in DreamWorks Pictures’ “Delivery Man,” a heartfelt comedy about the complexities of life, seizing the day and becoming the person you are destined to be.

“Delivery Man” tells the story of affable underachiever David (Vince Vaughn) whose anonymous donations to a fertility clinic 20 years earlier resulted in 533 children. David must now embark on a journey that leads him to discover not only his true self but also the father that he could become.

For the role of David’s girlfriend Emma, the filmmakers were looking to cast an actress who could hold her own opposite Vaughn on both a dramatic as well as comedic level. The part went to Cobie Smulders, who exuded a unique combination of toughness and vulnerability.

In the film, Emma is all too familiar with David’s shortcomings and is desperate for him to grow up. The fact that she is pregnant with his child makes things all the more complicated.

Smulders explains, “David comes to her door very late at night, and he’s trying to make up with her. He hasn’t been in touch for a while, and Emma has been trying to get in touch with him because she’s pregnant. She is a New York City police officer and she’s battling with the idea of this man being her child’s father. Will he support her? Is he a good father figure? And so it’s a journey for both of them in a way that Emma learns to trust David and David grows up.”

As irritated as Emma is with David, part of her wants to give him the chance to step up to the plate. “David is flaky. He’s one of those guys, who’s so sweet, so charming, and everybody loves him,” observes Smulders. “But, he’s not dependable. And for someone like Emma who is so by the book, who is much more organized, having this person in her life can be very frustrating.”

Smulders says, “When Emma reveals that she’s pregnant to David, he goes on a quest to prove to her that he could be a good father. It’s almost like he doesn’t have to prove it to her first, but he has to prove it to himself first. He starts showing up for ultrasound appointments and becomes very supportive. In the end, upon revealing his identity to her and to the world, saying, ‘I’m the father, and I want to be there for these people,’ is a huge testament to him growing up, becoming responsible, becoming present, and it shows her what a good father he would be.”

While wanting to support Emma and be the father she’s hoping he could be, David is still conflicted about doing right by her and his biological offspring, as well as his father and brothers. “He has a lot of love and affection for Emma,” says Vaughn. “He realizes that his life and the way he conducts himself maybe doesn’t come off as the most consistent partner, but he wants to work on that because he does want to be a part of his child’s life, and he wants to be a part of Emma’s life.”

Opening soon the Philippines on Dec. 4, “Delivery Man” is a DreamWorks Picture distributed by Walt Disney Studios International.