Joss Whedon has definitely created for himself a unique position. He is one of the few creators that can almost guarantee a fanbase for any project he makes simply by attaching his name to it. With TV shows like Buffy and Angel, comic series Astonishing X-Men and co-writing credits for films such as Toy Story and Titan A.E., Whedon has known a lot of success.
So it doesn’t come as a surprise that the master storyteller has been pegged to direct the upcoming Avengers film.
- Ensemble casts: one need only look at projects like Buffy and Angel onscreen, and comics like Runaways and Astonishing X-Men, to realize that Whedon knows how to work an ensemble cast. I don’t think I need to emphasize how important this talent is going to be in not only directing the Avengers movie, but in also script-doctoring the Avengers script. The Avengers have to gel, and that is something that Whedon has been able to create both on screen and on page.
- Whedon has his Marvel Zombie on: with titles like Runaways and Astonishing X-Men, beloved titles within the Marvel Universe, Whedon has already had his share of Marvel. A lifelong comic book fan this is probably a dream come true for Whedon, and he’s going to bring that same respect that be showed Astonishing and Runaways to any Avengers movie he gets his hands on.
- How big is this movie, really? I think that it also has to be taken into account that this isn’t exactly beyond Whedon’s payroll. Putting aside the high profile movies he’s already worked on, and his continuing success on the small screen, the Avengers movie isn’t actually going to be rivalling Avatar or the Dark Knight in terms of importance. It’s going to be a big fan favourite, but with a lot of superhero movies pulling in under $100 grand at the box office, Whedon isn’t being asked to step beyond his abilities.
- Whedon’s script-doctoring abilities are already well showcased, and on top of his already excelling writing skills we can be guaranteed a script that reflects what the fans want to see.
So bring on May 4, 2012 and let’s see what Whedon can provide. And seriously people, let’s remember that we’re a minority of moviegoers and that the Avengers is not really all that big.