Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are excited to glean any little detail they can about upcoming films and projects and one of those that always seems to manage to excite is that of Joss Whedon. He was recently interviewed by the Japanese Gizmodo site which has had a translation float up courtesy of Bleeding Cool. The piece has a number of intriguing nuggets but also paints a very different picture of what some might expect Avengers 2 to be like, though some misreading and translation may come into it. Beyond that, it’s made perfectly clear that Whedon is taking on a similar role at Marvel Studios to Kevin Feige in guiding things and bringing those visions to life and giving it all a cohesiveness that has simply never been done cinematically before. Suffice to say, if you’ve enjoyed what’s come so far, this just reaffirms the faith.
As Bleeding Cool notes, there’s a fair bit of work that went into this, so give both sites a click to their articles as we’ve just clipped a small sample here.
G: A lot of different heroes appear in Avengers, but the spotlight the spotlight really did shine on all of them. Was writing the scenarios particularly difficult?
W: Yeah, writing the scenarios for this movie was nothing but difficult. It was like homework. I didn’t want to include characters that don’t do anything in the movie, because casting these actors and not allowing them to do anything would just be absurd. So thinking about the structure was really like a mathematical puzzle.
But once I figured out everyone’s place, coming up with the characters’ appropriate speech and behaviors was really very easy. I really love these characters too.
G: It was recently announced that you’ll be directing The Avengers 2, but should we be expecting bigger events, a bigger team and a bigger villain for the next movie?
W: It would seem so. Normally you would think a sequel would be bigger, but I was thinking I’d like to do the opposite and go smaller. When I presented that idea I was asked in return “So you’re going to turn down the volume on the movie?”, but that’s not what I meant at all.
Of course new characters will be added. But having just met this wonderful cast, even I’ve just begun groping for a demonstration of what kind of synergy they have together. I’ve said that it’s important to put in not only necessarily always a large scale, but a lot of love. Movies can be on a grand scale but also more personal. I’ve already touched on that, so I don’t really need to go into it again. The issue is really just how deep can I delve in.
G: It seems as though you’ll be collaborating on filming some Marvel Comics TV series as well.
W: That’s right. I can’t talk about that right now, but if I could say one thing it would be that Marvel has brought new meaning to the entertainment industry with The Avengers. It’s not merely pride, but a particular way of thinking. It’s a very exciting thing.
G: How much will you be involved with future Marvel movies?
W: I’ll be very deeply involved. My contract is not simply to make The Avengers 2, but to consult on the entire Marvel world view. So that’s why I’m involved in TV series as well. I’m talking with Kevin [Feige] about all of the future movies that will be released. They’ll all be great movies and we’re cooperating so that they all tie into The Avengers 2.
G: So they’ll all be unified them.
W: Yes. But since they should all have their own unique franchise identities, they can’t all be the same. So we’re continually careful to not have them fall into the same pattern, and we definitely have to meet expectations. Naturally they all have to have ties back to Avengers. It’s very fun creating an integrated world, but at the same time they are each unique. When they’re all together they’ll definitely be exciting.
G: So The Avengers 2 will have elements from all of the movies and TV programs from this point on?
W: Well…[he points to the Avengers poster] they’ll all definitely be in it. Apart from that, the character conflicts will be fresh and their problems will be unique and realistic.
I know where the characters stand within each of their stories, but at the same time the Avengers series has to exist in a different place from those. People who see The Avengers should be able to see The Avengers 2 without seeing the other movies.
As for putting something from all of the other works into my movie, it would not only be inconsistent with my own plans but would also be conceited of me. No matter what the movie, you only have once chance to approach the audience with those characters.
