Whedon to direct The Avengers?
- Thread starter Skywalker
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Really?
You think if Whedon directed a script by, let's say, a random 5th grader, it would be good just because he "directed" it? Come on, man.
If this is not BS, I would be rather curious to see it just because it would be a comic book movie directed by a film director who had written comics. I don't know if that's been done before.
You think if Whedon directed a script by, let's say, a random 5th grader, it would be good just because he "directed" it? Come on, man.
Well, hyperbole aside, a great director can turn a mediocre script into something good, yes.
Does Frank Miller not count? Of course the movie he directed on his own ("The Spirit") flopped, but I wouldn't take that as proof that no one could ever successfully do both comics and movie direction.
You think if Whedon directed a script by, let's say, a random 5th grader, it would be good just because he "directed" it? Come on, man.
Hopefully Whedon will direct someone else's script just to avoid us having a scene where Black Widow beats up Iron Man, Thor, Cap and the Hulk on her own.
The Avengers was written by Zak Penn who co-wrote "X-Men The Last Stand" so Joss would be directing that script.
I'm all for Joss Whedon. He's an undeniable talent. Serenity was a very well-crafted film, very solid filmmaking. He is able to juggle ensemble casts and knows how to tell a story visually with good storytelling. Plus, I trust that with him at the helm the script, no matter how shitty it is, would be improved upon before filming. The Avengers is being written by Zak Penn after all, who doesn't have the best track record when it comes to these sort of things.
However, with that said, I would have preferred Joss Whedon been offered the X-Men: First Class project now that Bryan Singer is only producing and no longer directing. His Astonishing X-Men run was fantastic and I loved his take. I would really enjoy seeing him take on the X-Men on the big screen (especially since his reasons for passing on X-Men: The Last Stand was because he wanted to focus on the original team, but 20th Century Fox wanted more new mutants, and First Class could ostensibly return the X-Men to some form of that original team).
Also, Whedon made a comment back in 2005 that he had no interest in The Avengers, but I guess that has changed.
However, with that said, I would have preferred Joss Whedon been offered the X-Men: First Class project now that Bryan Singer is only producing and no longer directing. His Astonishing X-Men run was fantastic and I loved his take. I would really enjoy seeing him take on the X-Men on the big screen (especially since his reasons for passing on X-Men: The Last Stand was because he wanted to focus on the original team, but 20th Century Fox wanted more new mutants, and First Class could ostensibly return the X-Men to some form of that original team).
Also, Whedon made a comment back in 2005 that he had no interest in The Avengers, but I guess that has changed.
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Wow...I don't understand this. Buffy and Angel were pretty big budget shows with a ton of action and character development and he handled those pretty well. I'm not saying he will be Orson Wells or Peter Jackson on this but an Avengers movie is right up his alley even despite the large scope of the picture. I think he'd be as good as anyone else to direct an ensemble comic book film like "The Avengers".
I don't think it's a good idea.
Whedon is a good writer and decent director but The Avengers is A list blockbuster material and i believe that may be over his head and league.
Whedon is best when he has total control over the material creatively and can write to his style but i don't see that happening with Avengers. Avengers will most likely have a top of the line script writer (or even a whole team which may lead to all kinds of other problems) so that leaves Whedon with "only" steering the boat.
Additionally there'll be all kinds of meddling by the studio and the actors (some A list names will appear in this movie) and i don't think Whedon has the director starpower or capability to keep them all in check and do what's best for the movie.
So no.. i think Marvel will go with a better recognized and experienced director who has done similar grand projects and proven he (or even she?) can pull it off. They won't risk a damn thing with the movie they've been preparing a decade for.
Whedon is a good writer and decent director but The Avengers is A list blockbuster material and i believe that may be over his head and league.
Whedon is best when he has total control over the material creatively and can write to his style but i don't see that happening with Avengers. Avengers will most likely have a top of the line script writer (or even a whole team which may lead to all kinds of other problems) so that leaves Whedon with "only" steering the boat.
Additionally there'll be all kinds of meddling by the studio and the actors (some A list names will appear in this movie) and i don't think Whedon has the director starpower or capability to keep them all in check and do what's best for the movie.
So no.. i think Marvel will go with a better recognized and experienced director who has done similar grand projects and proven he (or even she?) can pull it off. They won't risk a damn thing with the movie they've been preparing a decade for.
"Top of the line writer"? Yes, because Zak Penn is the genius that has brought us such memorable pieces of filmmaking such as X-Men: The Last Stand, Fantastic Four, Electra, Behind Enemy Lines and Inspector Gadget. Penn got the writing gig for Avengers because he's a comic-book aficionado and is one of Marvel's many ghost writers they keep in storage.
I'd rather Avengers have a director of merit and talent and not some Brett Ratner-type who makes industrialist films with a workmanship-esque quality. Joss Whedon understands the ensemble, he understands comic-books, and most importantly of all he's a damn good writer, and will likely fix or correct any flaws that Penn brings to the screenplay. Serenity proved he's a capable director. I say give him a shot. I would certainly want him steering the Avengers rather than someone like Michael Bay or Brett Ratner or any other mediocre filmmaker.
However, on the flip side, another one of the contenders for the gig, Louis Lettetier (director of The Incredible Hulk) is someone whom I wouldn't mind to nab the gig, even though it is highly unlikely. Even though Incredible Hulk wasn't nearly as good as Ed Norton's original screenplay, it was still a lot better than most of Marvel's recent adaptations (Fantastic Four, Electra, Daredevil, Ghost Rider, the list continues). Perhaps someone on his level wouldn't be so bad.
I'd rather Avengers have a director of merit and talent and not some Brett Ratner-type who makes industrialist films with a workmanship-esque quality. Joss Whedon understands the ensemble, he understands comic-books, and most importantly of all he's a damn good writer, and will likely fix or correct any flaws that Penn brings to the screenplay. Serenity proved he's a capable director. I say give him a shot. I would certainly want him steering the Avengers rather than someone like Michael Bay or Brett Ratner or any other mediocre filmmaker.
However, on the flip side, another one of the contenders for the gig, Louis Lettetier (director of The Incredible Hulk) is someone whom I wouldn't mind to nab the gig, even though it is highly unlikely. Even though Incredible Hulk wasn't nearly as good as Ed Norton's original screenplay, it was still a lot better than most of Marvel's recent adaptations (Fantastic Four, Electra, Daredevil, Ghost Rider, the list continues). Perhaps someone on his level wouldn't be so bad.
I'm all for Whedon as director. He's proven he's not only a talented writer, but a great director. Plus, as stated, he has geek cred in spades.
I would love for Whedon to make Avengers, but it will not happen.
Studio Execs: "Will you make this movie for us?"
Whedon: "If I can have complete creative control."
Studio Execs: "You can have limited control, but you don't get to write the script."
Whedon: "Sorry, I'm out. Fox has offered to back another TV show of mine."
Studio Execs: "Get Gore Verbinski on the phone, he knows special effects and can stay on script."
Studio Execs: "Will you make this movie for us?"
Whedon: "If I can have complete creative control."
Studio Execs: "You can have limited control, but you don't get to write the script."
Whedon: "Sorry, I'm out. Fox has offered to back another TV show of mine."
Studio Execs: "Get Gore Verbinski on the phone, he knows special effects and can stay on script."
Don't forget that all of the movies you've mentioned were made by major studios, not by Marvel's own production company. So far Hulk and Iron Man are the only movies actually made by Marvel themselves, with Thor on the way. I suspect that accounts for the gap in quality - Marvel do seem to be taking these projects more seriously than, e.g. Fox.
I have no opinion, although I did kind of like the Serenity movie. I had a cast question. We know Captain America, Iron Man and Thor will be in it. I also understand the Hulk and Black Widow will appear as well. Has anyone heard what other Avengers will be in the flick? Henry Pym/Giant-Man and Janet Van Dyne/the Wasp? Anyone else?
Well, Edgar Wright is supposed to direct "Ant-Man", but it doesn't look like he'll have it out before "The Avengers". He has a full plate with his next Pegg-Frost collaboration ("The World's End") and his re-make of that classic sci-fi giant ants movie "Them!' on the agenda. What's with this guy and ants? 
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