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

[Yellow Cyclone]

if anything the avengers director should be VERY experienced with action

the whole point of doing all these solo movies (outside of making cool franchises) is that they serve as character legwork for the inevitable ensemble movie

we already know about iron man, fury, war machine. will know what's up with cap/thor

all the groundwork was laid out. obviously avengers will have dialogue and plot but the action? the action sequences have to be at a ridiculous scale. we've had 4 years, 5 movies of buildup. hell even the general public audience will have higher expectations, they know something like this hasn't been done before.

personally i don't think there's been a single action scene in a comic movie that's come close to the train sequence in spider-man 2. perfect example of environment, tension, full display of powers (on both protagonist/antagonist), location, etc. raimi absolutely nailed it.

singer? somebody already said nightcrawler, but that's about it. even then it was a 25-30sec slowmo money shot in the oval office and that's it
nolan? bourne camera in BB, def the truck chase in TDK but then more quick cuts for the other stuff (still a big improvement over BB though)
favreau? hints of it in iron man (final fight was changed b/c of the audi and plot called for a handicapped hero). IM2 seems to be fine especially since they brought on genndy tartakovsky
hulk/LL? obviously did the action well
cap/jj? man cut his teeth on star wars, indy, and the rocketeer. he gets the benefit of the doubt
thor? no clue how brannagh will do. absolutely no clue. could be similar to favreau in IM1 or something more like singer

whedon? i just don't know...

directing is one thing, but writing as well? coming up with these fantastic sequences AND then having to frame, sequence, film, adjust, improv them? i just don't know...

 

[flickchick85]

A Non Brown coat review of "Objects in Space"

Ok so I booted up Hulu and and opened my mind. A bounty hunter sneaks onboard while River deals with trying to fit in.

Right off that bat I thought it was a little heavy handed in trying to convey its a space western. Really the only way the show could get more western-y is if someone wore a cowboy hat, had a horse and yelled for"cookie" to make some vittles. I like the concept of a western in space but as I said before.

I know that people hate the term Whedon-isms but I think the script was full of these little phrases that seem like people trying too hard to be cool.

Now I was ok until the episodes villain showed up and talked and talked and talked and everything he said was in these terms and really had a hard time making it thru the episode.

On a whole it didnt make me want to see more episodes. The things I didnt like about Buffy and Angel were here....
......I gave it a try but it wasnt for me.

Well, I applaud you for taking the time to watch it. Firefly always was a literal space western, complete with horseback riding, cattle, and wagons, so I get that it's not everyone's cup o' tea. And his shows do tend to require investment - watching an episode out of context never does the series justice. But for viewers invested from the beginning, they are VERY rewarding. Like I said, I always scoffed at Buffy based on the few episodes I'd seen, but eventually changed my tune when forced to watch the whole series. One of my roommates had the same experience. But you weren't persuaded to watch more, and that's your prerogative.

Anyway, just out of curiosity, did you have a problem with the directing of the episode too, or was it just the writing that bugged?

As for the writing, if you wanted to see less "Whedon-isms" in terms of dialogue, as I said before, Dollhouse is where it's at. It's just hard to recommend an episode of that because once it got good, it was so dense that no newbie would have a clue of what's going on. But by all means, check out a clip or two on Hulu to see the difference in dialogue, at least. Every universe he's ever created has had a different language/way of speaking from the others. Dollhouse was the universe closest to our world, so they sounded the most "normal" in it. But again, those are universes HE created. I think people have brought up his work in comics to prove that he CAN write for someone else's established universe, as well, without turning them all "Whedon-y." And surely that's what the case would be for the Avengers, if that's any comfort.

For the record, I do sympathize with those who hate this choice. There are plenty of writers/directors whose style in general I despise even though they get a lot of love from the fanboy community (Letterier, Snyder), and I'd be very frustrated if they were hired for a project I cared about while their devoted fans acted like everything they touched was gold. I just feel like we'd be having these debates no matter who was chosen, and I'm happy to NOT be on the negativity boat on this one (like I was with Snyder and Watchmen, for example).

So with that, I won't argue with the Whedon-haters (anti-Whedonites?) anymore (for now, haha) and just say that I think he'll make this a great movie.

 

[roach]

Well, I applaud you for taking the time to watch it. Firefly always was a literal space western, complete with horseback riding, cattle, and wagons, so I get that it's not everyone's cup o' tea. And his shows do tend to require investment - watching an episode out of context never does the series justice. But for viewers invested from the beginning, they are VERY rewarding. Like I said, I always scoffed at Buffy based on the few episodes I'd seen, but eventually changed my tune when forced to watch the whole series. One of my roommates had the same experience. But you weren't persuaded to watch more, and that's your prerogative.

Anyway, just out of curiosity, did you have a problem with the directing of the episode too, or was it just the writing that bugged?
There was one thing that bugged me and I dont know if it was writing or directing of the budget. Serenity is moving and the bad guy vessel moves above it. The bad guy opens the airlock and drops down onto Serenity. It bothered me since people in zero-g dont drop...especially onto another ship that is in motion. Other than that I didnt see anything wrong with the direction...

As for the writing, if you wanted to see less "Whedon-isms" in terms of dialogue, as I said before, Dollhouse is where it's at. It's just hard to recommend an episode of that because once it got good, it was so dense that no newbie would have a clue of what's going on. But by all means, check out a clip or two on Hulu to see the difference in dialogue, at least. Every universe he's ever created has had a different language/way of speaking from the others. Dollhouse was the universe closest to our world, so they sounded the most "normal" in it. But again, those are universes HE created. I think people have brought up his work in comics to prove that he CAN write for someone else's established universe, as well, without turning them all "Whedon-y." And surely that's what the case would be for the Avengers, if that's any comfort.

For the record, I do sympathize with those who hate this choice. There are plenty of writers/directors whose style in general I despise even though they get a lot of love from the fanboy community (Letterier, Snyder), and I'd be very frustrated if they were hired for a project I cared about while their devoted fans acted like everything they touched was gold. I just feel like we'd be having these debates no matter who was chosen, and I'm happy to NOT be on the negativity boat on this one (like I was with Snyder and Watchmen, for example).

So with that, I won't argue with the Whedon-haters (anti-Whedonites?) anymore (for now, haha) and just say that I think he'll make this a great movie.

I declare a cease fire on hostilities

 

[Jake Cassidy]

^ Quitter.

 

[conan69]

The news of Whedon rewritting Capt A might be good news. If its to incorporate some ideas he has for Avengers, rewritting Cap and introducing them will make for a better character arc.

So good news I say.

thor? no clue how brannagh will do. absolutely no clue.

There are some real issues with Frankenstein, mostly script issues. Some of the stuff he did in that film is brilliant - especially some of his frame composition, photography and camera angles.

Brannah was a really inspired choice for Thor. I think he can pull it off.

 

[roach]

I think Brannagh got the Thor job because he is the definitive Shakespear director of our time and will bring those sensibilities to the film.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Branagh is the best director to do a comic book movie ever, imo.

 

[roach]

I agree. He is bringing a level of sophisticaton to the films and I am more worried about Cap than I am Thor....with Thor there isnt a cast decision he made I questioned...Anthony Hopkins as Odin alone is worth the price of admission

 

[Jake Cassidy]

I'm not worried about Cap. Johnston is a good director, imo.

Rocketeer is awesome. t:

 

[roach]

yeah but Wolfman was meh

 

[Jake Cassidy]

That wasn't entirely his fault. He was brought in last minute and was rushed.

Rocketeer is actually how a Captain America movie should be. Just more serious.

 

[Yellow Cyclone]

The news of Whedon rewritting Capt A might be good news. If its to incorporate some ideas he has for Avengers, rewritting Cap and introducing them will make for a better character arc.

So good news I say.

There are some real issues with Frankenstein, mostly script issues. Some of the stuff he did in that film is brilliant - especially some of his frame composition, photography and camera angles.

Brannah was a really inspired choice for Thor. I think he can pull it off.

oh i know he can pull it off, i was referring more to the action scenes. i have no idea what to expect but i'm totally cool with that

 

[flickchick85]

I declare a cease fire on hostilities

Agreed. And it's nice to hear the direction didn't bother you at least (though I don't remember the part you pointed out so can't really comment).

I actually don't have a problem with any of the directors of upcoming Marvel films at the moment - I think they're all well-suited to their specific projects - so that's a nice (and rare) feeling. I'll enjoy it while it lasts, lol.

 

[roach]

I wont pretend that the man doesnt have talent. Obviously he has since he has a following...its just his sensabilities irk me...and I would hate to see that in Avengers. I know people will say he will keep it out but thats like asking Tim Burton not to make a gothic film

 

[Ace of Knaves]

if anything the avengers director should be VERY experienced with action

the whole point of doing all these solo movies (outside of making cool franchises) is that they serve as character legwork for the inevitable ensemble movie

we already know about iron man, fury, war machine. will know what's up with cap/thor

all the groundwork was laid out. obviously avengers will have dialogue and plot but the action? the action sequences have to be at a ridiculous scale. we've had 4 years, 5 movies of buildup. hell even the general public audience will have higher expectations, they know something like this hasn't been done before.

personally i don't think there's been a single action scene in a comic movie that's come close to the train sequence in spider-man 2. perfect example of environment, tension, full display of powers (on both protagonist/antagonist), location, etc. raimi absolutely nailed it.

singer? somebody already said nightcrawler, but that's about it. even then it was a 25-30sec slowmo money shot in the oval office and that's it
nolan? bourne camera in BB, def the truck chase in TDK but then more quick cuts for the other stuff (still a big improvement over BB though)
favreau? hints of it in iron man (final fight was changed b/c of the audi and plot called for a handicapped hero). IM2 seems to be fine especially since they brought on genndy tartakovsky
hulk/LL? obviously did the action well
cap/jj? man cut his teeth on star wars, indy, and the rocketeer. he gets the benefit of the doubt
thor? no clue how brannagh will do. absolutely no clue. could be similar to favreau in IM1 or something more like singer

whedon? i just don't know...

directing is one thing, but writing as well? coming up with these fantastic sequences AND then having to frame, sequence, film, adjust, improv them? i just don't know...

I'm afraid he didn't. Doc Ock doesn't have superhuman durability. He's just a man with indestructible metal tentacles.

One half arsed jab from Spidey should of knocked him out instantly.

It was a brilliant scene, no doubt. But Raimi didn't nail it, it wasn't perfect because it had a massive hole in the logic previously set up in the film.

 

[DocHoliday]

Best Firefly episode is "Out of Gas". Which I actually believe was a Tim Minear episode. Then I like Jaynestown, not sure who directed that one though.

 

[roach]

I'm afraid he didn't. Doc Ock doesn't have superhuman durability. He's just a man with indestructible metal tentacles.

One half arsed jab from Spidey should of knocked him out instantly.

It was a brilliant scene, no doubt. But Raimi didn't nail it, it wasn't perfect because it had a massive hole in the logic previously set up in the film.

well nobody had a problem with it in the comics when he would punch him

 

[FrostBite]

That wasn't entirely his fault.

Pagemaster and Jurassic Park 3 were though.

I'm just teasing you though, I remain hopefully for all of these movies as of right now.

 

[mclay18]

I wont pretend that the man doesnt have talent. Obviously he has since he has a following...its just his sensabilities irk me...and I would hate to see that in Avengers. I know people will say he will keep it out but thats like asking Tim Burton not to make a gothic film

I know what you're saying. Sometimes Tim Burton can put aside his Gothic tendencies and make films out of his comfort zone -- like Alice in Wonderland and Big Fish.

I'm trying to temper my excitement, in case Joss is so micromanaged by Marvel that he can't deliver a solid film (and gets replaced with an inferior director). There's a fine line to make a film accessible to people outside of the fanbase, and making it generic.

That said, I would love to see Matthew Vaughn come on the project if Joss couldn't make the film work.

 

[roach]

I know what you're saying. Sometimes Tim Burton can put aside his Gothic tendencies and make films out of his comfort zone -- like Alice in Wonderland and Big Fish.

I'm trying to temper my excitement, in case Joss is so micromanaged by Marvel that he can't deliver a solid film (and gets replaced with an inferior director). There's a fine line to make a film accessible to people outside of the fanbase, and making it generic.

That said, I would love to see Matthew Vaughn come on the project if Joss couldn't make the film work.

I havent seen Big Fish but Alice in Wonderland did have is gothic sensabilities...my thinking is that all these films are going to be micromanaged.

 

[kedrell]

yes, because cap joining the rockets is much better than cap singing and dancing on his own

also, what about jj excited you? was it his sketchy track record, underwheming style, or his unfamliarity with the character?

Spoiler

yes, i'm being facetious, but in all seriousness why did jj excite you?

Rocketeer, Hidalgo & October Sky are the main reasons that I am fully confident in JJ. When he's doing something he's been in from the start(like those and the Cap movie will be the same way) rather than coming into somone else's franchise or passion project(JP3 & The Wolfman), he delivers. Same thing goes for Honey I Shrunk The Kids(even though that was a family movie - but hey, so were Elf & Zathura). And HISTK also proved that something of his origin could connect with the GA in a vast way since that was a blockbuster hit(again, comparable to Favs on Elf). I dig his style. I don't think there's anyone working in hollywood today who's better at doing period-piece work than JJ.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I seriously don't get why people are complaining about Whedon's lack of doing action will hurt the action in this film. When has Branagh done an action film or anything huge? I don't even think he has much experience in action, if any.

 

[Spider-Man Luvr28]

Edgar Wright tweeted this a while ago:

I just met Joss Whedon for the first time. Speculation commence!

 

[Spider-Man Luvr28]

Edit

 

[FaT_tONle]

My guess is that Ant-Man will be back on the radar with Wheldon producing as long as Marvel is still keen on Edgar Wright. So even if Pym doesn't make the cut, maybe he will get a spinoff film between Avengers and any sequels.