Joss Whedon Discusses THE AVENGERS' Visual Style And Meeting Expectations!

Joss Whedon Discusses THE AVENGERS' Visual Style And Meeting Expectations!

Hit the jump and check out a lengthy chat with Marvel's The Avengers writer-director Joss Whedon, discussing his visual style for the movie as well meeting the expectations of eager fans!

By DCMarvelFreshman - Mar 07, 2012 05:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Avengers
Source: PhilSTAR



Apparently talking with the press, via PhilSTAR, the writer and director of this summer's long-awaited superhero spectacle Marvel's The Avengers, Joss Whedon, discussed his visual style for the movie among other things. Additionally weighing on meeting fans' expectation, and his overall direction, check out what he says below!

“As much as anything, my visual style as a director comes from comic books,” he says. “My understanding of visual storytelling comes from panel art, which I was reading more voraciously than I was watching movies for most of my childhood. In that sense, I had sort of a head start when I started visualizing this film. I hired Seamus McGarvey to be my Director of Photography because of ‘Atonement.’ It’s a gorgeous film. Seamus’ understanding of light as romantic and naturalistic is dazzling.

“Visually, the movie is similar to a lot of things that I do because it’s supposed to be casually iconic. In other words, I want to hit iconic moments without hitting people over the head with them. I want it to feel like a comic book without trying to look like one. I’m trying to ride that line between bigger-than-life characters and their bigger-than-life moments and the very human aspects of them.”

“I feel respect for the fans, but you can’t let yourself feel the weight of how much they want or need from the project,” Whedon explains. “I really believe that you can die from fan expectations. There are two things that I can’t stand when I go to see a movie based on a comic book: being ignored and being pandered to. Fans are well aware when movies are doing either one. Ultimately, they’re going to see everything they ever hoped to see in ‘Marvel’s The Avengers,’ from every single one of these characters. There won’t be a hint of, ‘Well, we thought we ought to put this in to make the fans happy.’

“Honestly, if I felt the weight of how famous the actors in this movie are, or how big the budget is, or how high the fans’ expectations are, I’d be in my bed right now with the covers pulled up over my head. I did have one little minor freak out and my wife just said, ‘Honey, it’s just the next story.’ That helped.”

Whedon concludes, “I want to make a great Super Hero movie. I want to make a movie that has to have Super Heroes in it and makes it very clear that the world needs Super Heroes—especially this ridiculously motley, mismatched crew of Super Heroes. I want to make the kind of movie that inspires people to say, ‘There should be more movies with Super Heroes in them.’”


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.


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P862010
P862010 - 3/7/2012, 5:30 PM
visually avengers looks like crap it looks like your typical blockbuster visually it does'nt stand out and very bland visually

it looks like battle LA with super heroes
TheMadman
TheMadman - 3/7/2012, 5:32 PM
Will this calm any worries? I never had any to begin with and this even reassured ME.
rockerdude22
rockerdude22 - 3/7/2012, 5:34 PM
The more I hear from Joss, the more I like him. I have no doubt now that he was the right man for the job.
BrotherQStark
BrotherQStark - 3/7/2012, 5:35 PM
In Joss I Trust
MarkV
MarkV - 3/7/2012, 5:42 PM
Great interview. This movie will kick all kinds of ass!!!
Spidey91
Spidey91 - 3/7/2012, 5:43 PM
this guy says all the right things,and it feels legit,not forced.

The Avengers Assemble 26/04 (for me anyways :P )
deanwilkins
deanwilkins - 3/7/2012, 5:43 PM
I love this guy. I know he did right by me. Just seeing Hulk catch Iron Man was enough for me to know this movie is awesome.
95
95 - 3/7/2012, 5:43 PM
Nice work Joss.
magnusinthebox
magnusinthebox - 3/7/2012, 5:45 PM
I've always said it, every scene we've seen so far is just like a panel of a comic book. This will be epic! 27/04 can't take so long!
SageMode
SageMode - 3/7/2012, 5:48 PM
“I really believe that you can die from fan expectations. There are two things that I can’t stand when I go to see a movie based on a comic book: being ignored and being pandered to. Fans are well aware when movies are doing either one. Ultimately, they’re going to see everything they ever hoped to see in ‘Marvel’s The Avengers,’ from every single one of these characters. There won’t be a hint of, ‘Well, we thought we ought to put this in to make the fans happy.’


That right there guarantees this to be EPIC. something that a certain other particular director clearly doesnt give a damn about. AVENGERS WILL OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!
cmax
cmax - 3/7/2012, 5:50 PM
He's saying all the right things. I'd say I'm cautiously optimistic but that would be lying. I'm hyped beyond belief. This movie will be awesome. No question.
Benjamitesandwich
Benjamitesandwich - 3/7/2012, 5:51 PM
So proud of Joss :') I can die a happy man once this film is released.

Finally we get a superhero movie for fans, by a fan.
95
95 - 3/7/2012, 5:52 PM
@P862010

There are some really epic shots, straight out of a fanboy's dream, and the rest are fairly generic.

@supersaiyanfan1

I agree. Probably be way better than CA:TFA, which I didn't like as much as IM1, it was several times better than Thor or IM2. The Avengers looks like a really, really great superhero movie. The definitive comic book movie.
HulkbusterNYC
HulkbusterNYC - 3/7/2012, 5:53 PM
I have come to the conclusion that..

1. Joss is perfect for this movie

2. Anyone hating on this movie shouldn't even be a member on this site because you're not a true CBM fan

Were getting a Comic Book movie with some of the best actors portraying some of our favorite super heroes, a director that understands the history and dynamic these characters and their universe have, Avengers style action and a story that brings everything together and expands this wonderful MCU.

What more can we, as fans, ask for?
Flashito
Flashito - 3/7/2012, 6:00 PM
I'm a DC fan I never had own a single marvel title because I don't really like the cheesy costumes they use on their characters but, OMFG this movie will kick batman's sorry ass for good. and I totally agreed with deanwilkns just because of the Hulk catching Iron Man, my summer will be worth living. ROCK ON MARVEL STUDIOS!!!

Note: Nolan you better have a good film under you arm dude or is gonna be a lame good bye from your batman's universe!!!
2gold
2gold - 3/7/2012, 6:03 PM
I can actually see the fighting and he isn't using the new "bourne style" tight too close fighting I see in way too many movies. If he avoids those ultra tight stupid close ups in the fights and lets me SEE the action then I will love it. I don't need to see a close up of two guys doing something that I think is punching but I can't tell because of the camera work. Give me comic panel style pulled back shots of seeing the action. That is EXACTLY what I want in a super hero movie.
Armyshot
Armyshot - 3/7/2012, 6:04 PM
And anyone who says they want a story like Iron man 1... okay i can see that, but the incredible hulk? really? Edward Norton blew as Banner, the story was horrible. I just love what Joss said about the hulks story in this, in regards to banner, screw feeling sorry for himself and always lookin for a cure, done twice, was done better in the first one (Ang Lee's)Bottom line this movie will be epic, leave the other CBM'S outta comparison, different directors, different stories, just sit back and enjoy the show.
Flashito
Flashito - 3/7/2012, 6:09 PM
Amen to that 2Gold and Armyshot I almost agreed in everything you said but the Ang Lee's part!!! Anyway I can hardly wait for April 26th!!!
luckylu
luckylu - 3/7/2012, 6:26 PM
if whedon only put hawkeye in some sort of costume that resembles the character i would be praising this guy.
superotherside
superotherside - 3/7/2012, 6:28 PM
I want to make the kind of movie that inspires people to say, ‘There should be more movies with Super Heroes in them.

Now that's just great. Can't wait. Marvel should do a TV series of Secret Avengers with him writer/director. It would be awesome.

May 4th can't you hurry up?!!? 59 more days to go! :)
Spidey1996
Spidey1996 - 3/7/2012, 6:37 PM
@superotherside:
I can't wait either!
brewtownpsych
brewtownpsych - 3/7/2012, 6:47 PM
i think he could really pull of something special here ... the great thing about the "hulk catch" was not the actual catch, it was the bit right before.

there is this great shot right after it cuts from iron man getting clipped where you see iron man off in the distance in the clouds and then rapidly descending downward with no power in the suit right before the green guy gets him. that perspective shot is similar to what a really good comic book panelist would do.

getting even more stoked for this day by day.
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 3/7/2012, 6:48 PM
I'm with you, luckily, that has been my only disappointment so far.
Vence
Vence - 3/7/2012, 6:57 PM
This will be special, i can feel it. Counting down the days
GingerBird
GingerBird - 3/7/2012, 7:00 PM
Good job Joss, I think comic book fans will really like this movie.
thewonderer
thewonderer - 3/7/2012, 7:19 PM
Marvel fanboys are so insecure

Chances are Avengers and Spider-Man will be great

but when someone brings up the one DC property in years that has been excellent, people freak and insult it.

As of now, Nolans Batman movies have been the only good things to come out of DC in a while.

Stop insulting them you marvel turds. TDKR will blow your precious Avengers and Spiderman out of the water but that doesn't mean they can't still be decent in comparison

Comix
Comix - 3/7/2012, 7:23 PM
Im a marvel fanboy and shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit I will be there to see Avengers, spiderman, and Tdkr despite all the shit i may talk about it.
plan99fromouterspace
plan99fromouterspace - 3/7/2012, 7:27 PM

@P862010 - 3/7/2012, 5:30 PM
"visually avengers looks like crap it looks like your typical blockbuster visually it does'nt stand out and very bland visually"
The Department of Redundancy Department called...
@3D Anyone who says CA was better than Thor has automatically lost all credibility with respect to giving their opinions on movies.
AvengersRock
AvengersRock - 3/7/2012, 7:28 PM
This is going to be a great movie, and as some have said, it doesn't matter whether it does better than TDKR or ASM. We should want them all to do really well, so that everyone will rush to make more quality CBMs.

I want the Avengers to do really well, but if they all get over $300 Million, then "Mission Accomplished." I do think Avengers will hit $400 Million, but that's just a fanboy talkin'.
headlopper
headlopper - 3/7/2012, 7:33 PM
I bet he's sick of being interviewed by now.
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