The Avengers Joss Whedon leading on "Avengers" short list of directors

[FrostBite]

dude its too late...get out of here while you still can

You know we're not actual Whedonites right? In fact, we're all just Joss Whedon signing in on different accounts to post here about how good his stuff is. I and some others are here just to pull back and talk about how some of our stuff sucks so that we lead you into giving us a chance.

Join us.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Well, I was referring to much more than just talking about the movie - he's more of a "let's give the fans a treat" kinda guy - but I see your point, too.

That might be true, but Cap is not out yet. We've only really seen Favs vs LL. We have no idea how much treat giving JJ will give us. I doubt Branagh gives us much, since he has more of an artsy history and I think will be much tighter gripped on Thor than everyone else.

 

[FrostBite]

I think a big factor people are overlooking is... this is an adaptation, his take on someone else's work. How is Whedon going to go with something like that? Many who are afraid or love him are basing those traits that they love/hate about him based on his ability to conjure up his own material, not continue someone else's.

In fact, has he ever filmed an adaptation/continuation? Or is his only work like that been on X-men? Of which people seem to sing praises.

 

[mclay18]

so I think we'll probably be able to expect a higher level of communication from him than most of the Marvel movies (with the possible exception Favreau/Iron Man), and some pretty wonderful DVD extras, too.

If Whedon actually gets through filming, I really can't wait to hear his commentaries. One by himself (the more informative one) and the other with the cast (more fun to listen).

And I think that when Paramount releases the DVD and Blu-ray releases, the discs will have full color artwork and no forced trailers/previews when the discs are played. Whedon knows his fans better than anyone else.

 

[Evil Twin]

I think a big factor people are overlooking is... this is an adaptation, his take on someone else's work. How is Whedon going to go with something like that? Many who are afraid or love him are basing those traits that they love/hate about him based on his ability to conjure up his own material, not continue someone else's.

In fact, has he ever filmed an adaptation/continuation? Or is his only work like that been on X-men? Of which people seem to sing praises.

Alien: Resurrection is on his resume. And while he likes to pass the buck to Jeunet, plenty of problems can be traced to Whedon's screenplay, IMO. What with it's plucky band of space mercenaries, and women with power, it's certainly a dry run for much of what came after.

No doubt, Whedon and Jeunet weren't a good match. But, best case scenario, it was basically a "comic booky" take on the material. Perhaps a fun take, but certainly a more juvenile take than the previous three movies which were aimed at adults, Cameron to a slightly lesser extent than Scott and Fincher.

 

[roach]

You know we're not actual Whedonites right? In fact, we're all just Joss Whedon signing in on different accounts to post here about how good his stuff is. I and some others are here just to pull back and talk about how some of our stuff sucks so that we lead you into giving us a chance.

Join us.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will fight you but if I do it I do it as a man

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Serenity looked like a cheesy T.V movie and not because of it's 30mil budget.

Joss Whedon? Thats the best they could do? It's a good thing that I'm not completely looking forward to this movie because if I were I'd be hugely disappointed.

 

[Saint]

I didn't like Xander. Thought he was an annoying prick and a stereotypical nerdy kid who eventually gets the girl.

He doesn't get the girl.

 

[DACrowe]

The hate for Serenity in fanboy land is new to me. I thought most who saw the movie, especially in the geek community, thoroughly enjoyed its mature, clever and sharp writing and impressive ensemble.

I say give him a chance. I again stress that he was picked because Marvel is looking for someone to do for Avengers what Favreau did for Iron Man and Abrams for Star Trek. When those names were signed fanboys whined as well. This guy knows his way around a camera and more importantly a strong cast. If the trailer looks cool and zippy (which I don't doubt) these fans whining will be drooling in hope when San Diego 2011 comes around. Remember, Whedon is a guy who loves pleassing fans and I don't have much doubt about this.

I'm honestly more surprised people are more excited about Joe Johnston who hasn't made a particularly good movie in a LONG TIME or Louis Letterer who still hasn't made one and their future work with Marvel movies.

And if someone is going to hold Alien 4 against him, can we not counter that in the same period he wrote THE screenplay for Toy Story? While a kids film (like Favreau's previous work) it is one of genuine heart and merit that remains arguably Pixar's best project to date as well.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I can't speak for anyone else but I didn't hate Serenity and I wasn't against Abrams directing Star Trek. I just hope that the second unit director is really, really awesome.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

The hate for Serenity in fanboy land is new to me. I thought most who saw the movie, especially in the geek community, thoroughly enjoyed its mature, clever and sharp writing and impressive ensemble.

I say give him a chance. I again stress that he was picked because Marvel is looking for someone to do for Avengers what Favreau did for Iron Man and Abrams for Star Trek. When those names were signed fanboys whined as well. This guy knows his way around a camera and more importantly a strong cast. If the trailer looks cool and zippy (which I don't doubt) these fans whining will be drooling in hope when San Diego 2011 comes around. Remember, Whedon is a guy who loves pleassing fans and I don't have much doubt about this.

I'm honestly more surprised people are more excited about Joe Johnston who hasn't made a particularly good movie in a LONG TIME or Louis Letterer who still hasn't made one and their future work with Marvel movies.

And if someone is going to hold Alien 4 against him, can we not counter that in the same period he wrote THE screenplay for Toy Story? While a kids film (like Favreau's previous work) it is one of genuine heart and merit that remains arguably Pixar's best project to date as well.

Hold it, he wrote Toy Story? Okay, he gets a pass with me for life! Now I'm very excited that he's re-writing the Avengers!

 

[Saint]

Nothing against Joss Whedon but not everything he touches is gold, so now the dialogue will have hip smart quips that speak to today's goth teen repressed society with a little pop culture references thrown in, that worked in the 90's dude.

Yes, because in AXM Whedon had Cyclops making "hip smart quips that speak to today's goth teen repressed society with a little pop culture references thrown in." Oh, wait: that didn't happen. As Flickchick pointed out nicely, the humour of Buffyverse was just that--the humour of the Buffyverse. That was part of the language of the show, and Whedon doesn't use it where it's not appropriate.

Plus... MUSICAL EPISODES ! :

Sorry, the musical episode of Buffy kicked ass. No debate. This is actually a quantifiable fact; the President signed it into law and everything.

 

[flickchick85]

That might be true, but Cap is not out yet. We've only really seen Favs vs LL. We have no idea how much treat giving JJ will give us. I doubt Branagh gives us much, since he has more of an artsy history and I think will be much tighter gripped on Thor than everyone else.

For the record, I was basing that statement on their history. Whedon has a long history of fandom love. JJ's new to the arena. I'm not saying JJ won't be the Fanboys' Best Friend throughout this whole thing - just that it's practically a guarantee with Whedon.

Sorry, the musical episode of Buffy kicked ass. No debate. This is actually a quantifiable fact; the President signed it into law and everything.

Haha, yep, and it was apparently #14 on TV Guide's list of the "100 Greatest Television Episodes of All-Time."

 

[JP]

Wow, now we're hating on musicals.

 

[rashad]

Hold it, he wrote Toy Story? Okay, he gets a pass with me for life! Now I'm very excited that he's re-writing the Avengers!

One of the eight writers. Yes

 

[neemer5]

I think Whedon is a truly inspired choice because he's very good at handling ensembles, and this will be an ensemble film with a huge cast. Win.

 

[Rock Sexton]

I think Whedon is a truly inspired choice because he's very good at handling ensembles, and this will be an ensemble film with a huge cast. Win.

Define "ensemble"? He's worked with three major leading men in a movie like Norton, RDJ, and Sam Jackson? How about two new leading mens' names like Hemsworth and Evans, plus other namers like Don Cheadle and Scarlett Jo?

Guys like Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson, or Quentin Tarrantino have handled this sort of thing ..... not that I wanted either of those guys to direct, but these are uncharted waters for Whedon.

 

[Saint]

Define "ensemble"? He's worked with three major leading men in a movie like Norton, RDJ, and Sam Jackson? How about two new leading mens' names like Hemsworth and Evans, plus other namers like Don Cheadle and Scarlett Jo?

Guys like Steven Soderbergh, Paul Thomas Anderson, or Quentin Tarrantino have handled this sort of thing ..... not that I wanted either of those guys to direct, but these are uncharted waters for Whedon.

"Ensemble" does not imply big names; only a cast in which the actors and their characters are given roughly equal focus. So while it's true that Whedon has not worked with a lot of big name actors, this has nothing to do with whether or not he has experience directing ensembles.

"Whedon hasn't worked with big name actors" is sort of a strange complaint, anyway. So what? What are we afraid is going to happen as a result? That Whedon's product might be even better than usual as the result of talented performers like Norton and Downey? Oh no!

 

[ImWithTeamConan]

Every project Whedon's been on he's handled with as much care and enthusiasm that he can muster. Every shoot he's been in charge of turns into a close-knit family type atmosphere. IMO Whedon gets character (Astonishing X-Men, Angel, Buffy), IMO Whedon gets action right when he has no budget (Astonishing X-Men), and most importantly and which is why I have said since day one I thought he was perfect for the spot: Whedon understands chemistry.

I don't worry about the leading men and up and comers bowling him over or taking over the shoot. Whedon'll get everybody to work together.

Said it before when it was a rumor and I'll say it again now that it looks like reality: Whedon would be amazing.

 

[chamber-music]

Agreed. As I said earlier in this thread, all Whedon has ever done is give his female characters the same sort of prominence male character enjoy everywhere. What's more, the role of women in superhero films (and in comics themselves) is so ludicrously sad that the participation of someone who will write female characters who are actually interesting is a blessing, not something to worry about.

I agree with this. Alot of the time around peoples choice of actress is simply is she hot.

 

[FrostBite]

I'm honestly more surprised people are more excited about Joe Johnston who hasn't made a particularly good movie in a LONG TIME or Louis Letterer who still hasn't made one and their future work with Marvel movies.

Say what you will, but TIH is still one of my girlfriend and I's favorite films. Still... I'd have to completely agree with Johnston... the man's very meh. I still keep my hopes up that he'll turn out a quality product but just saying "he did the Rocketeer" doesn't make him anymore qualified than Whedon in my eyes. Though, the first third of Wolfman was great (and only the first third.)

 

[Ace of Knaves]

The hate for Serenity in fanboy land is new to me. I thought most who saw the movie, especially in the geek community, thoroughly enjoyed its mature, clever and sharp writing and impressive ensemble.

I say give him a chance. I again stress that he was picked because Marvel is looking for someone to do for Avengers what Favreau did for Iron Man and Abrams for Star Trek. When those names were signed fanboys whined as well. This guy knows his way around a camera and more importantly a strong cast. If the trailer looks cool and zippy (which I don't doubt) these fans whining will be drooling in hope when San Diego 2011 comes around. Remember, Whedon is a guy who loves pleassing fans and I don't have much doubt about this.

I'm honestly more surprised people are more excited about Joe Johnston who hasn't made a particularly good movie in a LONG TIME or Louis Letterer who still hasn't made one and their future work with Marvel movies.

And if someone is going to hold Alien 4 against him, can we not counter that in the same period he wrote THE screenplay for Toy Story? While a kids film (like Favreau's previous work) it is one of genuine heart and merit that remains arguably Pixar's best project to date as well.

Unleashed/Danny the Dog is 100000x better than Serenity.

 

[david icke]

Unleashed/Danny the Dog is 100000x better than Serenity.

It's an alright film, it's fun, but Whedon could have also directed it easily.
I doubt LL could have directed the Buffy season 5 ep 'The Body'.

and i was catching up on some of the posts yesterday and noticed that you complained that Whedon made Wolverine into an 8 yr old girl in AXM(I have that issue), your complaint was that it was a 'Whedonism'.
But, a few posts later you said it was 'awesome'. So, to be honest , I don't really see how the guy can win in your eyes, he does something that showed his own style, and you found it awesome, and yet you complained about it.

 

[Ace of Knaves]

I never complained about Wolverine being turned into a 8 year old girl. I DO think it was awesome.

But it's still a typical "Whedonism". But in that case an acceptable one. Because i ain't being funny, anyone who isn't even slightly amused by Wolverine having his mind turned into that of an 8 year old girl needs a slap.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I'm not going to lie I'm baffled by the directors that Marvel is choosing.

I have nothing against Letterer but TIH was fun but it was also forgettable. Thats all he ever does is fun but forgettable so I got what I expected but he wasn't the best choice to revamp that series into something special...even on paper.

Joe Johnston is a little better than Letterer but he's not exactly great either. Although I look forward to Cap because of Evan's I am not expecting to be blown away.

I can't lie and say I was onboard with Favs because I wasn't but atleast I thought that Elf was a damn good movie and a bit of a Chrismas Classic now. He did a great job though so my mis-giving were wrong.

Whedon hasn't made anything truely popular or really good since Buffy. DollHouse was unwatchable and Serinity was okay but it slips out of the mind fairly quickly. He's skills as a director leave alot to be desired going by the only movie he directed. I'd be okay if he were a co-writer on The Avengers but as a director....I think that this could be a disaster.

Hopefully I'm wrong.