Joss Whedon Will Write & Direct 'The Avengers 2'

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by Kevin Jagernauth
August 7, 2012 5:34 PM
15 Comments

With Disney confirming development of "The Avengers 2" shortly after its record breaking opening weekend, and with Marvel unveiling a logo at Comic-Con, all that was left to do was get writer/director Joss Whedon back on board. “I have not come to a decision on directing 'Avengers 2' yet,” he said only just a couple of weeks ago. “I am having too much fun with this ('Firefly' reunion) now.” But it looks like the dump truck full of money and promises from Disney and Marvel has finally landed.

/Film reports that on the Walt Disney Investors Conference Call (zzzz), the studio confirmed that Whedon would be back to write and direct "The Avengers 2." So breathe easy fanboys, your franchise remains in good hands. It's a smart move by Marvel, which is likely paying a prettier penny than they are used to, but they realize Whedon delivered the best movie, both critically and commercially, than its ever done, and trying to do it without him would be ruining a lot of goodwill. And hell, it's not like they can't afford him at this point. And that's not all. Whedon is also developing a live action TV-series with Marvel characters as well.

"The Avengers 2" is a long way off -- it doesn't even have a release date yet, and the earliest bow is likely 2015 -- but the building blocks are being constructed as ever on the Marvel slate, for the next action-packed team up. Much more to come we're sure, but Whedon will continue to be the superhero behind the camera for the franchise.

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15 Comments

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anon | August 7, 2012 10:32 PMReply

warners has their nolan...now it seems marvel has their whedon
cinematic_high | August 7, 2012 8:58 PMReply

Sweeten the pot.....get Sony to let SpiderMan join in for this go around.....
hector | August 7, 2012 8:44 PMReply

boo, Avengers was a disappointing mess
Sean | August 7, 2012 7:41 PMReply

Good (expected) news. And here's to hoping he makes it a truly quieter film as he says the sequel should be.
mpbstereo | August 7, 2012 7:24 PMReply

Someone please explain to me why the world insists on comparing The Avengers vs. The Dark Knight Trilogy. Outside of the fact that they are both rooted in comics, they really don't have much in common. It's that divergence that celebrates, I think, how far we've come in the relevance of comic book adaptations. Both are brilliant in their own right, for different reasons. Even Whedon doesn't get it: "let's look at the bigger picture, and I can't say this enough: THIS IS NOT A ZERO SUM GAME. Our successes, whoever has the mostest, are a boon to each other. We're in the business of proving that superhero movies aren't just eye-candy (they're eye-TRUFFLES!). People seem intent on setting us against each other, and though I'm proud to be Woody Strode to Nolan's Kirk Douglas, I think they're missing the point. Whatever TDKR does on its first weekend, the only stat that matters to me is the ticket I'M definitely buying." (http://whedonesque.com/comments/28797)
J Dawg | August 7, 2012 6:31 PMReply

Avengers awesome. Dark Knight Rises awesome. The difference is the Avengers is a pure popcorn movie and the Dark Knight trilogy are films with some popcorn movie qualities. 30 years from now in terms of Superhero movies the Dark Knight trilogy will be regarded as The Godfather or Goodfellas of the Superhero genre. The Avengers will be more looked upon like a Scarface. Still a great entertaining movie, but it doesn't carry the same kind of weight and doesn't age as well as some of it's peers.

This is from a big Joss Whedon fan. He's a great writer. Movies, television, comics. He can do it all.
Sean | August 7, 2012 7:41 PM

I just can't believe you're comparing the Godfather to Goodfellas. The Godfather is pristine and real where as Goodfellas is quick an flashy. Both are superb in their own rights.
kevin | August 7, 2012 7:34 PM

I think it's the other way around: TDK trilogy are popcorn movies with some "film" qualities. Which is to say they're relatively well-made and a little pretentious about their own seriousness. "The Godfather or Goodfellas of the Superhero genre?" I don't think that says much, since it's hard to imagine the superhero genre getting the same kind of respect the gangster film has.
rotch | August 7, 2012 6:12 PMReply

Good call, specially on the writing duties. And yes, The Avengers was pretty much perfect. The Dark Knight Rises was awful, a case of the emperor's new clothes.
Tom | August 7, 2012 6:12 PMReply

In Whedon we trust.
Collin | August 7, 2012 5:56 PMReply

Nonsense, haters. "The Avengers" was pretty much perfect. Whedon did a fantastic job.
Evie | August 7, 2012 5:40 PMReply

who cares? will be bad as the first.
These fanboys are ruining the cinema.
timothyeraw | August 7, 2012 11:47 PM

yeah, hard to believe blockbuster season once told stories, not about people wearing spandex.
Kindred spirit | August 7, 2012 5:39 PMReply

Great news... big fan of Whedon since Buffy the Vampire Slayer but lets be real- Avengers 2 will not be on the level of TDK. Ok I am jumping to conclusions, sure, but The Avengers is not an immensely rewatchable film like the Batman trilogy so there's that...
PRESIDENT MAO | August 7, 2012 5:37 PMReply

"Joss Whedon Will Write & Direct 'The Avengers 2'".

Surprise, surprise...