April Fools came and went, and while everyone else was trying to fool you one website was posting news that Joss Whedon had met with Marvel folks about directing The Avengers. While everyone laughed it off as an April Fools gag, IESB was insisting this wasn’t a prank.
Well a week later and its finally verified. It wasn’t a joke.
Only now is it cropping up thanks to The Flickcast and The LA Times saying … no really — it’s true. So, sorry IESB and to anyone else who dug deeper to confirm that I haven’t tipped a hat to.
So it’s official: Marvel has spoken to Whedon about directing The Avengers. Spoken. Not offered, not signed. He’s just on a list, has talked to them about the possibility, and it could be promising.
I think that Whedon could do a fine job at handing the Avengers for a couple reasons.
1 – He has written for Marvel before and he has a good relationship with Marvel
2 – He handles ensemble casts very well. Of all his successful products, a large cast of intermingling personalities is a strong point.
3 – He is a pure fanboy with a solid head on his shoulders. He would respect the characters and give them life with the balance this ensemble cast is going to need.
Now he just sat down to chat, which means nothing. He is on their radar and nothing more. Hell, he could be offered something else. Many times when an actor or writer is approched, after getting to know their vision, sometimes they are offered a completely different role than they applied for.
Whedon could be brought in with Avengers in mind, but then they use him for something else that they feel he fits better.
I am hoping its Avengers.