Tag Archives: Joss Whedon

Say hello to your 2011 Avengers

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They are: Robert Downey Jr. — Tony Stark; Clark Gregg — Agent Coulson; Scarlett Johansson — Black Widow; Chris Hemsworth — Thor; Chris Evans — Captain America; Samuel L. Jackson — Nick Fury; Jeremy Renner — Hawkeye; Mark Ruffalo — Hulk.  Director Joss Whedon and Marvel head Kevin Feige are up there, too.

Marvel killed it at Comic Con this year.  They literally slaughtered the competition.  After unveiling new footage of Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor (in 3D), the official ensemble cast of The Avengers was announced.  The biggest surprises?  Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) is set in stone as Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo (Shutter Island, The Kids Are Alright) replaces Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/Hulk.  Marvel head Kevin Feige on the Ruffalo decision: “Ruffalo is Joss Whedon’s Banner. He is the Banner that is going to be in that [Bill] Bixby type, wants to help people and is somewhat ashamed of what he goes through but isn’t as strong and angry in his Banner form as he is in his Hulk form, which is something we haven’t really seen in the past films. .. Something like how he was portrayed in the Ultimates, a guy who just wants to be left alone and wear his glasses and do his science.”  Feige also shares that he “hope[s] to develop a standalone franchise” for Renner’s Hawkeye post-Avengers.

During the panel Downey Jr. worked the crowd, naturally.  He invoked the success of Inception, saying it was “just about the most ambitious movie I’ve ever seen.”  He continued, “And then thought wait a goddamn second.  Marvel Studios is going to take all of their top super heros and they’re gonna put them all together in The Avengers?  That’s the most ambitious movie I’ve ever seen.”   He concluded, “If we’re going to make a movie this ambitious [then] the most important thing is that we had to find a person to helm it to get your [the fans’] approval”.  Enter Joss Whedon: “I have had a dream all my life and it was not this good…This cast is more than I could have ever of dreamed of working with. And I am going to blow it…I need your love, I need your support.”  Joss, you got it.

The Avengers is slated for a May 4, 2011 release.  Whet your appetite with Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger on May 6, 2011 and July 22, 2011 respectively.  Bonus!  Look in the gallery below for newly released mini-one-sheets featuring Thor and Cap concept art.  Peek after the break to watch your 2011 Avengers assemble at Comic Con in video form.

[Via IGN, here, here, here & here; Marvel]

Continue reading Say hello to your 2011 Avengers →

Visionaries J.J. Abrams & Joss Whedon spill their guts at Comic Con

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At this year’s Comic Con in San Diego, a panal called “Visionaires” brought my two favorite people together: J.J. Abrams (MI: III, Cloverfield, Star Trek, Lost, Fringe) & Joss Whedon (Serenity, Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse).  The panel, conducted by Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jenson, is literally packed with all sorts of intriguing information.  Jenson starts things off with the question, “When did you guys decide you wanted to be storytellers?”  Whedon and Abrams are also asked about their takes on comic books, 3D movies, the current and future states of television (including what it wants and supports, the waning of serialized story format), and the outlook for new media (shooting for the web, web content).  They also delve into their respective past and upcoming projects.  Whedon makes it official that he is directing Marvel’s The Avengers and briefly elaborates on the direction he plans to take the movie; he also talks about his now-on-hold horror flick Cabin in the Woods and what’s up with the impending Dr. Horrible sequel.  Abrams shares an anecdote surrounding his super-secret Super 8 movie (which is set to start production this September) and the collaboration with producer Steven Speilberg.  During the 3D movie discussion, Abrams confirmed that Super 8 will not be shot for 3D; he pans 3D and that it adds an unnecessary barrier between the viewer and film.  Although Joss is “totally into” watching 3D flicks, he hopes that his upcoming Cabin in the Woods doesn’t get the streoscopic treatment.  While going back and forth about the state of the serialized story format for TV, Abrams spilled that his upcoming NBC show Undercovers will be self-contained episodes (meaning you can miss a few episodes and still know what’s going on), but there will be an overall mythology to keep week-to-week viewers satisfied.  Speaking about mythology, Abrams also shares his thoughts on the final episode of Lost (spoiler: he loved it).  Whedon continues the conversation by bringing up the demise of FOX’s Dollhouse.  All in all, it’s a great watch and interesting look into two very successful film and TV artists that shouldn’t be missed.  Head over to EW to access the 5-part stream.  Or click here to watch an abridged interview.

Want to take part in the Whedon/Spurlock Comic Con doc?

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Back in February E! News spilt the details of a Comic Con documentary to be developed by Joss Whedon (Dollhouse) and Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me).  Now we have an official press release that instructs how you can take part in the doc.  Here’s the pertinent details:

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, producer Thomas Tull, comic book icon Stan Lee, writer/producer Joss Whedon, and film guru Harry Knowles have joined together to bring audiences the feature-length documentary COMIC-CON EPISODE FOUR: A FAN’S HOPE – a documentary celebration of all things con-tastic!

We are looking to cast original, eccentric, funny, touching, and mildly obsessive people that will capture the excitement, enthusiasm, joy, and passion of comic book, anime, sci-fi, and fantasy lovers everywhere.

If Comic-Con International will be the highlight of your year and you have a story to share about your passion, let us know. Join the fellowship, take part in this epic documentary, and write us at ComicConDoc@gmail.com. Include your name, phone number, a picture, and tell us your story.

Do you think you have what it takes to star in a such a doc?  Then watchareya waiting for?  Send that email off to the powers that be and keep your fingers crossed!  Look after the break for the full PR.

[Via AintItCoolNews] Continue reading Want to take part in the Whedon/Spurlock Comic Con doc? →

Joss Whedon set to direct Marvel’s ‘The Avengers’

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OK, did you take that all in?  Good.

According to Deadline, Buffy the Vampire Slayer–Dollhouse–Firefly–Serenity–Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog creator Joss Whedon is in “final negotiations” to direct Marvel Studio’s mega-sequel The Avengers!  Whedon has been rumored to helm the massive superhero flick for some time now, and I can’t believe the stars are aligning.  The Avengers will bring together Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Hulk (Edward Norton), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), SHIELD leader.  Others are expected to join, too.  Thor and Captain America will be introduced in their own movies sometime next year.  The Avengers is on track to hit theatres May 2012.

[Via Deadline]

Joss Whedon & Eliza Dushku aren’t done yet

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Sure, due to low ratings FOX’s Dollhouse didn’t last long for creator Joss Whedon and star Eliza Dushku.  But that doesn’t mean they are parting ways so quickly.  From Dushku’s mouth to our ears, she and Whedon will be working together again, this time on a feature film:  “I would say that we would [be working on something new very soon]! I think we’re going to work on a kickass feature together that we’ve been thinking about for a few years.”

The dudes over at Slashfilm have geniusly tied this comment to a future Whedon project, a horror movie called Goners that features a female lead.  In 2005 Whedon described it:

It is a fantasy thriller, it is pretty dark and it’s all me. So people will pretty much know what that means if they look at my body of work. But it’s a new universe set in the present day with a new concept for me and a new bunch of characters. It’s been a long time since I got to do that, so that’s really fun.

It’s the story of a young woman’s journey that involves a great deal of horror and some heroics.

Though we can’t be certain that such a connection exists, news that Whedon and Dushku have something in the works is more than exciting.  You can be sure I’ll be keeping my ear to the ground on this one and will report back with new details as they surface.

[Via Geektyrant; Slashfilm; HollywoodLife; Wiki]

Joss Whedon & Morgan Spurlock may film a Comic Con documentary

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According to E! News, creator/director/producer/writer/genius Joss Whedon is teaming up with director Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me) to develop a documentary following a group of uber-nerds attending this year’s Comic Con.  According to the source, “They want to follow people for about three months leading up to this year’s Comic-Con.  And then they want to film them there.  They’re looking at all types of people.”

As much as I would love to be featured in this doc, I don’t know if I have the chops to make the cut.  I’m not really into the whole costume thing.  But they did say they are searching for all types of people.  WHEDON & SPURLOCK, listen here: If you’re looking for a blogger who goes to Comic Con to walk the convention floor and attend as many TV/movie/web series panels as humanly possible, I’m the one you want!  Hey, it’s worth a try.

[Via E!]

Gleeks, rejoice! (again!); NPH joins for Whedon-directed episode

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The headline says it all, really.  According to EW, Dr. Horrible himself, Neil Patrick Harris, is expected to join forces with Dr.H creator Joss Whedon for an upcoming episode of FOX’s hit show Glee.  In fact this would be quite a reunion for NPH; not only will he team with Whedon but he’ll also work with Zachary Woodlee who helped choreograph the song-and-dance inspired 100th episode of How I Met Your Mother.  NPH is expected to both sing and dance in the role, no surprise here.  The only road block is CBS allowing NPH to jump over to FOX for the shoot.  EW’s Ausiello points out that HIMYM and Glee are both produced by 20th Century Fox, so there really shouldn’t be an issue.  Glee returns with all new episodes April 13 on FOX.

[Via EW]

Dr. Horrible sequel notes

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Now that Dollhouse has been (sadly) cancelled, Joss Whedon now undoubedly has time to focus on his highly successful Internet-series project, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  New comments have surfaced concerning the anticipated sequel.  MTV News has the scoop…

Joss’ brother Zack Whedon: “We’ve been planning it pretty much from the minute we finished the first one.”  “They finish up ‘Dollhouse’ in the winter—at least what they’ve scheduled to shoot thus far—so hopefully when that’s done, we’ll all be able to get together more frequently and grind it out,” he explained. “There are a couple of songs written. It’s very promising. We’re all very excited about where it goes.”  “Yeah, you have to see them [Dr. Horrible and Captain Hammer] in the sequel.  We will expand the world a little bit into other areas you have not seen… and it will be hilarious.”  He concludes, “We’re doing it for fun and for ourselves and for the fans.  So doing a sequel is really a no-brainer.”

Star Nathan Fillion (Captain Hammer): “There are plans.”  “The media for the sequel has not yet been decided, but there is a title.”  “Joss, I was talking to him right before we won the Emmy.  He said that he’s finished writing a song or two.  He told me a couple of verses to the song.”  “It’s going to be great.  I know a bunch of cast members of Dr. Horrible who would love to get back into it.”

So, a SEQUEL is coming…a TITLE has been selected…and some SONGS have been written.  Still no word on “dead” Penny (Felicia Day).  I’m sure some way or another the Brothers Whedon will figure a way to get her back.  Can’t wait.

[Via MTV, here & here]

RIP Dollhouse

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FOX, those sons of bitches.  First they cancelled Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles after (true, an overall lousy) first season and a spectacular second season.  Now they’ve gone ahead and cancelled Joss Whedon’s cult hit Dollhouse which stars the beautifully talented Eliza Dushku.

I am surprised FOX cancelled this series?  Honestly no, I am not.  The show did have low viewership; that’s what’s often expected when you place a show on a Friday night.  FOX gave Dollhouse a chance when it granted it (and not Terminator) another season last year.  During its first season the show garnered an averaged 14.5 million viewers.  This year it managed to capture an audience of a low 3 million (again, thanks to the move to Friday).

So here’s the plan for the remainder of season 2: The rest of the 13 episode order will air on FOX in December.  Dollhouse will skip over the November sweeps period and will air back-to-back episodes on Fridays nights for three weeks (yes, that means two-hours of Dollhouse each week!) and will complete its run in January in a series finale that the writers say will bring closure to the fans.

Creator (and overall mastermind and known genius) Joss Whedon had this to say after FOX broke the unfortunate news:

“Hmm. Apparently my news is not news.

I don’t have a lot to say. I’m extremely proud of the people I’ve worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew. I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you’ll agree in the coming months. I’m grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again.

I’m off to pursue internet ventures/binge drinking. Possibly that relaxation thing I’ve read so much about. By the time the last episode airs, you’ll know what my next project is. But for now there’s a lot of work still to be done, and disappointment to bear.

Thank you all for your support, your patience, your excellent adverts. See you again. -j.”

And here’s a note to you, Joss.  It seems like TV series don’t bode so well for you (minus Buffy).  As great and amazing and spectacular as they all are, I think it’s safe to say that your talents lie in the realm of the Internet.  Just take a look at the insane amount of success Dr. Horrible brought  to you and your team.  So…here’s hoping that your “next project” is indeed the sequel to Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.  I need my NHP, Nathon Fillion, Felicia Day, and Groupie fix ASAP.  Oh, and I’m totally looking forward to your directorial debut on Glee.

[Via IGN; EW; here & here]

Gleeks, listen here: Glee is renewed for a full season and Joss Whedon will direct an episode

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After a strong performance in the ratings, Fox’s hit series Glee has given the thumbs up to produce “the back nine.”  This is a TV term that means a show has been ordered to create 9 more episodes in addition to the original set of 13.  So what does this mean for fans of Glee?  There will be a total of 13 + 9 = 22 episodes of Glee this season.

And the great news doesn’t end there.  According to EW, creator, director, writer, genius Joss Whedon (Buffy, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible) will be directing one of the back nine episodes!  Apparently Whedon is a big fan of the show (who isn’t) and is enthusiastic about helping create a special episode of Glee.  Glee creator Ryan Murphy: “Joss directed one of the great musical episodes in the history of television on Buffy, so this is a great, if unexpected, fit. I’m thrilled he’ll be loaning us his fantastic groundbreaking talent.”  I, for one, cannot wait to see what Joss has in store for Glee.  His brilliance and unique talents will only add to the amazingness that Glee has already become.

[Via EW, here & here]