Joss Whedon in final negotiations to direct "The Avengers"

[JacksonArcher]

It was first thought was wildly impossible, but apparently it is actually happening: Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse and director of Serenity, including his stint on the Astonishing X-Men comics, is in final negotiations to direct the big-screen Avengers movie for Marvel Studios.

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Joss-Whedon-In-Final-Negotiations-To-Direct-The-Avengers-18074.html

This definitely seems like it came out of left-field, since Whedon commented back in 2005 saying he had no interest in The Avengers but apparently that has changed. I know some might be opposed to this, but I say bring it on. He knows how to handle an ensemble and Serenity was an assured and confident feature film debut, so I think he has the talent and skill. Better him than some industrialist hack like Michael Bay or Brett Ratner, don't you think?

 

[T'Baio]

I think it's intriguing and makes me interested in The Avengers more. I've always wondered how they were going to handle incorporating the real world motif that's been laid down in Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk with the dimension spanning Thor movie. Whedon is a guy that's good at finding entry points in mixing genres in that way, so he's a good man for the job, as long as he's allowed to play with the screenplay, while being stopped from adding too much melodrama. Now they just need a great effects team and 2nd unit crew to take some of the pressure off him, and it should be interesting what comes out the other end.

 

[BlackestPanther]

If true, this project is doomed.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Not a bad choice (though I'm sure this will up even further the fan demands that a bunch of actors from Firefly be cast in important roles).

 

[Shazam!]

Not a bad choice (though I'm sure this will up even further the fan demands that a bunch of actors from Firefly be cast in important roles).

As if you wouldn't like to see Nathan Fillion pop up somewhere.

 

[BlackestPanther]

Not a bad choice (though I'm sure this will up even further the fan demands that a bunch of actors from Firefly be cast in important roles).

As if you wouldn't like to see Nathan Fillion pop up somewhere.

I can see him as Hank Pym.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

It's a bit of a daring choice, which I quite like.

I'm a lot more psyched to see a Whedon-helmed superhero movie than, say, a Joe Johnston helmed one.

Any word on if he's writing it or not?

 

[Aragorn]

Not a bad choice (though I'm sure this will up even further the fan demands that a bunch of actors from Firefly be cast in important roles).

Michelle Trachtenberg as someone who beats up Iron Man, Captain America, Nick Fury, Hulk and Thor at the same time single-handedly without breaking a sweat or using weapons?

 

[JacksonArcher]

I think it's intriguing and makes me interested in The Avengers more. I've always wondered how they were going to handle incorporating the real world motif that's been laid down in Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk with the dimension spanning Thor movie. Whedon is a guy that's good at finding entry points in mixing genres in that way, so he's a good man for the job, as long as he's allowed to play with the screenplay, while being stopped from adding too much melodrama. Now they just need a great effects team and 2nd unit crew to take some of the pressure off him, and it should be interesting what comes out the other end.

People tend to think that The Avengers needs to have an industrialist director to be able to churn out a film that has all of the apparently requisite action sequences and spectacle, but honestly at the end of the day I'd much rather have a director who spends his time focusing on the character interaction that should be the heart of the film. That's why there's the second unit director, to handle all of those stunts and fights, so the director can work on the important things: the characters and the story.

 

[Shazam!]

People tend to think that The Avengers needs to have an industrialist director to be able to churn out a film that has all of the apparently requisite action sequences and spectacle, but honestly at the end of the day I'd much rather have a director who spends his time focusing on the character interaction that should be the heart of the fillms

Yes. The former leads to guys like Paul WS Anderson landing the gigs whilst the latter gives us John Favreau.

 

[Captaindemotion]

This is a brilliant choice, IMHO. An avowed comic geek who has written comics as well as great tv and movies and who knows how to direct well.

I mean, maybe some people would rather see Michael Bay, Brett Ratner or Louis Leterrier handle this but I opt for the guy with the knack for character, sharp scripting and wit.

 

[doubleohfive]

Not complaining here!

 

[doubleohfive]

Also: http://www.deadline.com/2010/04/mar...rs/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

[Shazam!]

some people would rather see Michael Bay, Brett Ratner or Louis Leterrier handle this

Those people are dead on the inside.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Oh god oh god oh god please let it be true.

Ok, fanboy moment is over.

I think it's a fantastic choice.

 

[Awesome Possum]

This is just great.

 

[T'Baio]

I think it's intriguing and makes me interested in The Avengers more. I've always wondered how they were going to handle incorporating the real world motif that's been laid down in Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk with the dimension spanning Thor movie. Whedon is a guy that's good at finding entry points in mixing genres in that way, so he's a good man for the job, as long as he's allowed to play with the screenplay, while being stopped from adding too much melodrama. Now they just need a great effects team and 2nd unit crew to take some of the pressure off him, and it should be interesting what comes out the other end.

People tend to think that The Avengers needs to have an industrialist director to be able to churn out a film that has all of the apparently requisite action sequences and spectacle, but honestly at the end of the day I'd much rather have a director who spends his time focusing on the character interaction that should be the heart of the film. That's why there's the second unit director, to handle all of those stunts and fights, so the director can work on the important things: the characters and the story.

Exactly. I really think at this point the most important part of this project, and what will define it, is how well the various tones of the various characters with their various themes will be combined into something tonally coherent. With, like I said, Thor being the most difficult of those. But Whedon is pretty good at combining the fantastic and paranormal with the real world, and Marvel may be on to that being the biggest problem with the picture. Even Favreau said as much himself.

 

[CaptainCanada]

Not a bad choice (though I'm sure this will up even further the fan demands that a bunch of actors from Firefly be cast in important roles).

As if you wouldn't like to see Nathan Fillion pop up somewhere.

I can see him as Hank Pym.

Luckily, from all appearances, Hank Pym won't be in it.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

Didn't think this was a possibility but this is great news, hope he gets the helm and directs the greatest superhero ensenmble team movie ever, until Nolans JL, if that even happens

 

[Gecko of Gorn]

WoOt!

JW can pull off the "normal world meets the extraordinary" very well.

..But what I'm looking forward to is Tony Stark cracking wise with the other Avengers under the guidance of JW!