Considering the summer blockbuster is near-completed, Joss Whedon has been able to talk more freely and mindfully about Marvel's The Avengers; as showcased with the many interviews during SXSW weekend. And now, the writer-director has offered up even more deets in the latest issue of Total Film magazine.
Having such a wide variety of characters, initially Whedon sought focus by telling the story largely from one person's perspective; defrosted WW2 super-soldier Captain America. "That was the plan anyway". However, "In the final cut that's probably not true," Whedon reveals. "There was stuff with Cap I cut out. Although he has an 'in' with the audience in that this world is stranger to him, so he's an identification figure."
The climax Whedon pitched Marvel was so enormous that it was apparent there wouldn't be enough time or money to pull it off, "But that's exactly what we shot," he reveals. The scale is "quite large", but it's not about that. "Its the toll it takes," Whedon says. "I find superhero movies to be a little too neat. And when you have Earth's mightiest heroes - like Thor, you know Thor! - you have to put them in a situation that makes you feel like they're not all going to make it." "The climax of this movie isn't one where you go, 'Oh yes, there's the Avengers, good for them, bye!'" When it all hits, it hits hard."
Whedon then went on to discuss The Avengers potential sequel, essentially revealing that he went all-out to avoid Iron Man 2 syndrome, where the story's reduced to a series of sequel-pointers. "We DO give a nod to a greater problem than the one solved in this film." says Whedon. "I'm a great believer in the idea that if you make the first one to be a 'first one,' then you have already failed," asserts Whedon. "As much as we want to service the idea of a film in a franchise, I want this to be a satisfying film experience. I don't want people to go out saying, "When's the next part?" I want people to say, "Oh, I want to see that again!"
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”--the super hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel super heroes Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins.
Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, & directed by Joss Whedon from a screenplay by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble on May 4, 2012. The film is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. In addition to "Marvel's The Avengers," Marvel Studios will release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Iron Man 3" on May 3, 2013!; and “Thor 2” on November 15, 2013.