Joss Whedon to Direct Avengers? Reportedly so.

POSTED BY: Dewrastler
UPDATED: Tuesday, April 20, 2010 05:52
VIEWED: 8555
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DEWRASTLER

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 10:15 PM (P)

Many sites are reporting this, with the main scoop coming from Deadline New York

http://www.superherohype.com/news/avengersnews.php?id=9279

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/04/13/joss-whedon-to-direct-the-avengers-e
xistence-of-god-no-longer-in-doubt/

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118017689.html?categoryid=13&cs=1&re
f=bd_film

The EW article brings up a good point. If he casts Whedonverse alums, who would he cast and in what roles. Variety also reports that he is "reworking" the script, which I think is pretty common for a director to do.

Thoughts?

________________________________
People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do

RAJPUTSMURF

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 10:58 PM (P)

I don't know how much latitude he'll have for casting and writing given that this is the movie that is supposed to bring numerous other Marvel 'verse threads together so it's bound to be pretty tightly controlled. Could be a hairy assignment but it's the best news I've heard for a while.

OUT2THEBLACK

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 11:04 PM (P)

So , apparently Joss has seen the light , and is no longer atheist , then ?

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/04/13/joss-whedon-to-direct-the-avengers-e
xistence-of-god-no-longer-in-doubt

FILLION for Captain America !

STORYMARK

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 11:14 PM (P)

Nobody believed me when I posted this 2 weeks ago....

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

DEWRASTLER

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 11:35 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Nobody believed me when I posted this 2 weeks ago....

I believed you, but was still skeptical. So many rumors these days, one can't be sure.

________________________________
People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do

JAYNEZTOWN

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 11:44 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Nobody believed me when I posted this 2 weeks ago....

"

Your thread was dated April 1st of course nobody took you serious

BIGRICHARD

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 12:18 AM (P)

Also, two weeks ago, it wasn't a sure thing, he was just a finalist. Lots of the time, getting excited for the shortlist for a film is just a bad idea, you mostly end up getting disappointed.

And it's true, I don't think he'll be able to cast that many, since a lot of the main roles will already be cast. Cameos, maybe. Small little roles, sure. But a lot of it will have come before.

Here's hoping he does a bit of a rewrite, and it's amazing. Just a long time to wait until May 2012 is all.

*Marks calendar, sits back, starts twiddling thumbs*

DEWRASTLER

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 2:57 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by BigRichard:
\
And it's true, I don't think he'll be able to cast that many, since a lot of the main roles will already be cast. Cameos, maybe. Small little roles, sure. But a lot of it will have come before.

I'd be OK with that, as long as it's done in good taste and doesn't try and draw attention away from the movie by having too many characters pop in (for an example, like Wolverine).

________________________________
People who don't care about anything will never understand the people who do

OPPYH

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 3:17 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Nobody believed me when I posted this 2 weeks ago....

I believed you, I just didn't care a whole lot. Like I said then, If he were WRITING, and directing the film that would be pretty awesome. As it stands he's got a gig as a director for a movie....big deal.

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70's TV FOREVER

CYBERSNARK

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 1:41 PM (P)

Directing a movie isn't like directing a TV show; in TV, guest directors work for contract, while the producers and exec. producers hold the real power (no, not the writers; but many head writers are also exec. producers). In movies, the director is basically the show-runner; he has complete control of everything and can rewrite the script as needed (look at Michael Bay writing the RotF script while his writers were on strike --or hell, Kuzui throwing out Joss' original BtVS script and telling his actors to improvise). This'll have Joss' stamp, don't you worry.

And it'll have Samuel L. Jackson. The same Sam Jackson who has a well-known tendency to take on small-budget vanity projects (like Snakes on a Plane or Afro Samurai) just because they tickle his fancy. And now he gets to work with Joss Whedon, one of the best Storytellers and entertainers in the business, who also has a long history of recycling his actors to do quirky small-budget experimental stuff. This could well be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Hmm. Maybe that Dr. Horrible sequel will feature a new character. . .

My only worry is Robert Downey Jr. We know that Joss has trouble with actors ad-libbing or improvising (at least, he did until Serenity --where he knew all the actors well enough to trust them). RDJ is one of those actors who ad-libs everything. That hilarious running patter in Iron Man? Favreau just turned on the camera and let RDJ go wild. It's really the only way to direct someone like that, but I'm not sure it's Joss' style. Joss & Downey are both top of their fields; I really hope they can work well together --I've seen too many good movies ruined by "creative differences" between equally-skilled artists.

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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

EAGERREAVER

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 2:00 PM (P)

The great thing about an opportunity like this is it can be a humongous game-changer for Joss if he churns out a hit. Most directors have their own ideas of what they want their next dream project to be but before anyone loosens the purse strings and takes a punt on a vanity project the director in question must first score a major win for the team.

If Avengers knocks 'em dead the first question the studios will ask is "so, what do you want your next project to be?"

Just imagine...

STORYMARK

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 4:10 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by OPPYH:
Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Nobody believed me when I posted this 2 weeks ago....

I believed you, I just didn't care a whole lot. Like I said then, If he were WRITING, and directing the film that would be pretty awesome. As it stands he's got a gig as a director for a movie....big deal.

-------------------------------------------------

70's TV FOREVER

It is a pretty big deal. Directors have a lot more clout than writers in the film world. Plus, this is a FAR more high profile gig than anything he's done. Basically, if he doesn't screw it up - it's a sure-fire mega hit, which will leave him with a lot more options than he has currently.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

OPPYH

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 5:48 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:

It is a pretty big deal. Directors have a lot more clout than writers in the film world. Plus, this is a FAR more high profile gig than anything he's done. Basically, if he doesn't screw it up - it's a sure-fire mega hit, which will leave him with a lot more options than he has currently.

True. I didn't think of the benefits of being attached to such a big movie. We need a Spielberg of this generation. Way too many untalented hacks directing movies currently(Boll, Bay, McG, The guy who directed the Mummy films).

-------------------------------------------------

70's TV FOREVER

JAYNEZTOWN

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 9:17 PM (P)

I wonder if they will use the Ultimates version of WASP and ANTMAN?
Cap is also important, but there are really a core of 3 founding members. The rest join later

Anyway these 3 are the big guns in the core

The magical fighting God

A man radiated by a bomb and made into a green monster

and the patriot, arms dealer, womanizer, alcoholic...aka Ironman

THESOMNAMBULIST

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:12 PM (P)

Good or bad, comic book films tend to draw attention to themselves. So if Joss can work in enough of his style and flare into these types of films, his influence may grow and generate a desire for more of 'his' stye of work.
So it's good news. Even though seeing another comic book film is about the last thing I would want to see, but hey, if it's Joss... Well I'm in.

ZEEK

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:26 PM (P)

I'll believe it when I choose to.

Though it could be really good for Joss's career. This is the type of thing I've been waiting for him to do. This is very main stream and won't have any marketing trouble. That's something he's suffered through for long enough IMO.

STORYMARK

Wednesday, April 14, 2010 10:51 PM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by JaynezTown:
I wonder if they will use the Ultimates version of WASP and ANTMAN?
Cap is also important, but there are really a core of 3 founding members. The rest join later

Anyway these 3 are the big guns in the core

Hulk has always been a tertiary character in Avengers, never around for long. Most consider Cap, Iron Man and Thor to be the core team. They've heavily hinted that Hulk will be the villain for at least some of the movie, much like the initial Ultimates story.

As for Wasp and Ant Man.... who knows. I doubt they'll have any wife beating in Avengers. And Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) has been attached to do a solo Ant Man movie for years, but has been tied up with Scott Pilgrim.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

CHRISISALL

Thursday, April 15, 2010 1:04 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by TheSomnambulist:
Even though seeing another comic book film is about the last thing I would want to see

Wow, I never thought I'd see the day someone said THAT (child of the 80's here)

Quote:
, but hey, if it's Joss... Well I'm in.

Fair enough to say.

The laughing Chrisisall

PIZMOBEACH

Thursday, April 15, 2010 1:13 AM (P)

I never got with The Avengers 100% until The Vision joined them, loved that character.

Agree Chris (I think) - not done with the comic book superhero movies yet.

Scifi movie music + Firefly dialogue clips, 24 hours a day - http://www.scifiradio.com

THESOMNAMBULIST

Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:20 AM (P)

Originally posted by chrisisall:

Quote:
Wow, I never thought I'd see the day someone said THAT (child of the 80's here)

The exagerrated proportions of the Marvel/DC style always frustrated me see. Their sense of anatomy is bizarre and ultimately I find myself unable to relate to the characters. Always has been this way even since I was a boy.

But my main problem with the genre as a whole is that they design the films to be 'comic book films' . Rather than films. It's a minor quibble but the lack of sincerity is evident on screen. That's why the Chris Nolan Batman films are so good -- because he is investing in the story not the comic book.

PDCHARLES

Thursday, April 15, 2010 3:23 PM (P)

Wow.... and interesting. Joss sure has his work cut out for him.

Joss's Project "Cabin in the Woods" actor Chris Hemsworth is already Thor so there's a start.

But if they get Ed Norton in on this as well. RDJ, Sam Jackson, Ed Norton and Joss. Whoa.

Human torch guy has been named Captian America right?

STORYMARK

Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:33 PM (P)

Variety is now reporting that not only will he direct, Joss will rewrite the Avengers script... and possibly do a quick rewrite on the Captain America move that shoots this summer.

It is becoming the Marvel Favreau/Whedon verse....

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

CHRISISALL

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:31 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Variety is now reporting that not only will he direct, Joss will rewrite the Avengers script... and possibly do a quick rewrite on the Captain America movie that shoots this summer.

[Carmine voice]
I gotta lie down!
[/Carmine voice]

The laughing Chrisisall

STORYMARK

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:37 AM (P)

Thanks for fixin' my typo.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

TECHTREKKER

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:54 AM (P)

This is good news for Browncoats everywhere. IF Joss directs this big damn movie, and IF it does well, then maybe...

"Smelling a lot of ifs in this plan."

The thing is... we want another Serenity movie. And if this gig for Joss helps make THAT happen... well then you'll see every Browncoat in the Verse go see the Avengers movie.

By the way, being an Avengers fan as well, when I heard this I literally cheered. I can't think of anyone more talented to direct this movie.

Talk about Big Damn Heroes...

CHRISISALL

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:55 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
Thanks for fixin' my typo.

I take no credit for that which the Internet Spelling Fairy has made so.

The laughing Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Friday, April 16, 2010 1:57 AM (P)

Quote:
Originally posted by Techtrekker:
I can't think of anyone more talented to direct this movie.

Well, there's....

*crickets*

No, you're right!

The laughing Chrisisall

MICJWELCH

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 5:52 AM (P)

Per http://io9.com/5520429/black-widow-purrs-in-new-iron-man-2-pictures

Quote:
Samuel L. Jackson spilled the beans on his Captain America cameo and confirmed Joss Whedon would direct The Avengers.

While not an official announcement, that's a pretty reliable source.

"Always be yourself. Unless You suck." - Joss Whedon