The Avengers

Joss Whedon to direct The Avengers

Interesting... I wonder if Iron Man, Captain America and Thor will be in it since they all have their own movies? (how can The Avengers not have them?).

Actually, the plan all along was to make the individual Avenger movies first before making the big ensemble flick that is being produced now.

Yes but that still doesn't answer the question- Maybe they can get by substituting War Machine for Iron Man? I can't see Robert Downey Jr. actually making an appearance here.

IMO, this is his last chance to prove he can direct; otherwise, he should go back to being a full-time writer.

I don't get that, I think he's proven he can direct. I don't remember any negative opinions on his direction of Serenity. If anything, it would be the script that was a little weak in parts. The big question would be if he has enough mainstream appeal for this big a project. I'm a huge fan but I can't help wondering...I agree its make or break time though. You got to wonder how much control he would be given after his recent track record. If it even happens-remember Wonder Woman?

All the stars of the current Marvel Studios films (Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson) signed multi-picture deals which include not only sequels to their own films, but for the Avengers movie as well. This was set up with the appearance of Nick Fury at the end of Iron Man, as well as RDJ showing up at the end of Incredible Hulk, which also had references to Nick Fury and Captain America.

Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk? OK, well, I don't really see that at all. It's too bad they wouldn't get Norton back but supposedly he tried to rewrite The Hulk movie he was in and the studio didn't appreciate that (maybe that's why it was a halfway decent movie?).

Buffy the vampire slayer was one the best directed tv shows in the history + 1 decent film serenity doesn't make him worthy or deserving of this big super hero ensemble. This big machine requires the skills of michael bay, martin cambell, james cameron, john woo, doug ligman, tony/ridley scott who can handle big set production & action sequences.

The fact you put Michael Bay first makes your whole point moot.

I agree.
Whedon has no experience at handling a production this big.
Besides, his real skill is as a writer, not a director.

And one of his best contributions to writing was his stellar run on the Astonishing X-Men that also featured Nick Fury himself. I think this is tailor fitted for him.

Issue 1 on his run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O490WDOoiuM

Whedon has creative vision, and truly cares about producing a quality product that is enjoyable. I trust he can make this movie worthwhile.

Agreed. Joss is da man; he'll do fine.

I despise Bay as much as anyone...BUT what he has done with the transformers on the big screen makes him totally fit for the avengers..and some.

Yeah, the Avengers certainly needs more testicles and lots of pot smoking moms.

transformers one, sure. number two....not so much

Doug Liman had only directed a couple of low-budget indie dramas before he made The Bourne Identity. Martin Campbell worked mostly in TV before Goldeneye. Ridley Scott directed commercials and only had one small feature under his belt before Alien.

Whedon hasn't directed anything that I have remotely liked. So I am nervous. Quite nervous.

Same goes for Captain America with Joe Johnston. While I did like The Rocketeer, that is about all with him. The guy has made one so-so film after another. I know he has had bad luck with interfering studios, but this is fricking Captain America and they should have hired someone who at the top of his game.

Well exactly... Bourne, goldeneye, and Alien were homerun smashes so they were more than capable for the avengers. BUT serenity is not, in fact it was kinda lame felt like a tv show more than a big action film.



Well being the half full milk person I will say whedon did direct some of the best fighting action I've ever seen on tv or in film with Buffy so hopefully he can take that to the next level because we all know there will a whole lot of kick ass fighting with the avengers. Whedon Im afraid just cannot make it a big production epic like john woo or Bay can which this film and what the avengers is capable of even more so then my beloved Xmen's.

Btw why the hell is nick fury is in this when any true Avenger comic fan know that Vision was one of if not the nucleus of the Avengers?

Holy crap..I just realized not only is there no Vision but no scarlet witch and Wasp. See this is why hollywood shouldn't get involved with bringing great comic franchise to the big screen if they cannot even the simplest basic things in order. My god no Vision and scarlet Witch is like having no spanky and buckwheat if you're going to do the Little rascal movie.

the original Avengers lineup was Thor, Giant Man, Ironman, Hulk and Captain America.

Let's please not use the name Michael Bay and The Avenger's in the same sentence.

So, first your complaint was that he didn't have enough experience directing mega-budget huge action movies. And now your complaint is that the people who direct mega-budget huge action movies should just automatically know how to do it at birth?

Whether you liked Serenity or not, the fact is that it was a movie with a significant amount of VFX and a storyline with a large ensemble cast. That's pretty much exactly what's called for here. None of the other Directors you cite are known for their ensemble work.


I hate to burst your bubble, but in movies like this, the action scenes are usually coordinated by 2nd Unit Directors who specialize in doing action. In some cases, the official lead Director may not even be around while the action scenes are being shot. He'll sign off on the 2nd Unit's work, but will mostly focus on the dialogue scenes and plotting. As far as the action scenes go, the most important thing that the Director has to do is make sure that he hires the right 2nd Unit team.

With the type of budget that The Avengers will have, I'm sure that Whedon will have no problem surrounding himself with the best people available.

All the directors I mentioned are proven big action directors that can handle big sets, big production, for big ass super heroes with big action and epic fighting sequeneces ok joshy baby do you get it mr know it all? BIG-BIG-BIG...big!

Secondly, the ensemble in serenity are individual human characters not big bad ass super heroes ok theres a difference. Nancy Meyers can handle ensemble doesn't mean she can direct superhero action. When I watched serenity it felt like I was watching more a tv show than a film. It didn't have that epic or big production. Even the campy Starship Troopers you feel encapsulated in a big sci fi action film...that's the kind of epic production treatmen the Avengers need.

And as bad as pearl harbor and Bad boys 2 was, if Bay can do the same with the avengers as he did for transformers I would be more than happy. These guys know how to handle big action. Comic books are all about the "look" and feel on how the characters are brought to the big screen more so than a "normal" film.