Joss Whedon to direct 'The Avengers'

[CeeKay]

That Presidential tweet isn't real, is it?

In related spoiler news about that character:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Wheedon says he's dead.  http://io9.com/5909088/joss-whedon-explains-why-he-had-to-do-unspeakable-things-to-one-character-on-the-avengers

Probably not. Still awesome.

wouldn't it be hilarious if

Spoiler for Hiden:

Marvel brings Agent back, and then they have Whedon direct Avengers 2 where he kills Agent again.  rinse and repeat for A3-  it could be a running gag.

[rickfc]

That Presidential tweet isn't real, is it?

In related spoiler news about that character:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Wheedon says he's dead.  http://io9.com/5909088/joss-whedon-explains-why-he-had-to-do-unspeakable-things-to-one-character-on-the-avengers

Probably not. Still awesome.

wouldn't it be hilarious if

Spoiler for Hiden:

Marvel brings Agent back, and then they have Whedon direct Avengers 2 where he kills Agent again.  rinse and repeat for A3-  it could be a running gag.

Spoiler for Hiden:

They killed Agent!

YOU BASTARDS!

 

[Teggy]

"This account is run by #Obama2012 campaign staff. Tweets from the President are signed -bo."

Sadly looks to be fake.

[Bullwinkle]

So, how much would that climactic battle have cost in real world dollars?  $160 Billion

[Bullwinkle]

[Kagath]

Blonde hair on Hawk.

[CeeKay]

Blonde hair on Hawk.

the comic book version has or had blonde hair.

[Blackjack]

Yeah, Hawkeye has had sooooo many incarnations in the comic books. I gather they just wanted to steer clear of the purple ness and the goofymasks that earlier incarnations had. Lot of stuff looks cool in a comic that don't work on film. Some of the latter Hawkeye incarnations look too much like Duke Nukem to me.  

As for hair color, just don't think they'd ask Renner to die his hair unless the character's hair color truly was an important part of the character; whereas we'd probably understand Jennifer Lawrence dying her hair to match Katniss' color in the book in The Hunger Games' case.

So on my 4th viewing of The Avengers last night, I still either could not hear or didn't understand certain lines. Help me!   Let's go with spoiler codes, even though it's debatable whether these lines are truly spoiler-ish....

OK, when Stark and Captain America have an exchange something like...

Spoiler for Hiden:

Cap: "And you're all about style."
Stark: "OK, among those of us in this room, which one of us is wearing a spangly outfit, and which one of us is *mumble mumble*. What does Stark say at the end of that line? Even purposely trying to listen closely, I can't understand it.

I think that's partly cause the "spangly outfit" line tends to crack the audience up, and then I can't quite hear what Stark says after that.

Also, there's a sequence where Black Widow and Hawkeye are talking later, she says something like:

Spoiler for Hiden:

"I was compromised. I cleared my ledger. I wanna blah blah blah." (some sort of explanation of "what Loki has on her," which Hawkeye asked about; or maybe it was more "What did Loki do to you?").

I didn't get that part. Is she saying Loki "compromised" her and magically cleared her ledger? I thought he insulted her and indicated he'd do nothing for her because she had too much blood on her hands (from assassinations) to ever clear her. I still don't quite understand that dialogue exchange with Hawkeye afterwards (once he's recovered from the brainwashing or whatever).

And then I think there's a third one I didn't quite understand, but ... oh hell I'll have to see it a 5th time to remember that one.  

[Kagath]

You, sir, are a dedicated fan.

Hopefully for the DVD release they will cleanup some of the dialog volume. I missed what Stark said to Cap when he got a lift too. Otherwise it was OK for me even in my crappy small town theater as they had it cranked up volume-wise.

Also:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Who was that at the end of the first credit sequence? I never really was into comics so I don't have a prior background knowledge.

[CeeKay]

Also:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Who was that at the end of the first credit sequence? I never really was into comics so I don't have a prior background knowledge.

Spoiler for Hiden:

Thanos

[Eel Snave]

Just came back from seeing it. Loved it! Totally Whedon-y and yet scratched that summer movie itch. Reminds me of this:

[Blackjack]

Isn't anyone going to answer my little dialogue questions?  

Fwiw, Avengers wiped out Dark Shadows at the box office Friday (about $29.1m to 9.7m). I don't think it was a good release date for DS, but the release date sked does get crowded after May. They think Avengers may break the 2nd weekend record of $75m, set by The Dark Knight in July 2008 and Avatar in December 2009.

I'm skeptical it can reach Avatar numbers ($750m domestic) just because June-July will crowd with summer blockbusters that theaters will eventually have to make room for. Avatar had freakishly big box office even 2 months after release, at least in part because Jan.-Feb. is such a dead time at the box office, with little competition.

[Teggy]

Also, there's a sequence where Black Widow and Hawkeye are talking later, she says something like:

Spoiler for Hiden:

"I was compromised. I cleared my ledger. I wanna blah blah blah." (some sort of explanation of "what Loki has on her," which Hawkeye asked about; or maybe it was more "What did Loki do to you?").

I didn't get that part. Is she saying Loki "compromised" her and magically cleared her ledger? I thought he insulted her and indicated he'd do nothing for her because she had too much blood on her hands (from assassinations) to ever clear her. I still don't quite understand that dialogue exchange with Hawkeye afterwards (once he's recovered from the brainwashing or whatever).

Spoiler for Hiden:

I don't think she said she "cleared" her ledger. She said she "had red on her ledger". I don't remember exactly when this took place - it was either when Hawkeye is coming to and asking her what happened or after she decides to be the one to close the portal. Anyway, the bit about her being compromised (which is how they refer to Hawkeye when Loki gets him with the scepter) is her not-so-subtle way of admitting she loves Hawkeye. I think there is also backstory we don't know about (maybe explained in comics or elsewhere) that is implied - at some point Hawkeye saved her life and she needed to return the favor.

[TheEgoWhip]

You, sir, are a dedicated fan.

Hopefully for the DVD release they will cleanup some of the dialog volume. I missed what Stark said to Cap when he got a lift too. Otherwise it was OK for me even in my crappy small town theater as they had it cranked up volume-wise.

Also:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Who was that at the end of the first credit sequence? I never really was into comics so I don't have a prior background knowledge.

Am I the only person that uses subtitles whenever watching a movie on dvd?  It can add a bit to the movie since quite often non audible statements are a part of the script and thus get subtitles.

[Harkonis]

Also, there's a sequence where Black Widow and Hawkeye are talking later, she says something like:

Spoiler for Hiden:

"I was compromised. I cleared my ledger. I wanna blah blah blah." (some sort of explanation of "what Loki has on her," which Hawkeye asked about; or maybe it was more "What did Loki do to you?").

I didn't get that part. Is she saying Loki "compromised" her and magically cleared her ledger? I thought he insulted her and indicated he'd do nothing for her because she had too much blood on her hands (from assassinations) to ever clear her. I still don't quite understand that dialogue exchange with Hawkeye afterwards (once he's recovered from the brainwashing or whatever).

Spoiler for Hiden:

I don't think she said she "cleared" her ledger. She said she "had red on her ledger". I don't remember exactly when this took place - it was either when Hawkeye is coming to and asking her what happened or after she decides to be the one to close the portal. Anyway, the bit about her being compromised (which is how they refer to Hawkeye when Loki gets him with the scepter) is her not-so-subtle way of admitting she loves Hawkeye. I think there is also backstory we don't know about (maybe explained in comics or elsewhere) that is implied - at some point Hawkeye saved her life and she needed to return the favor.

SPOILER WITHOUT TAGS! OMG!

They actually come right out and tell you what that history is Teg 

Hawkeye is an idiot for being blind, that scene she is pretty obviously saying she's into him.  Hawkeye was sent to kill Black Widow and instead he brought her in alive and they converted her to 'our' side.  She's been trying to make up for all the bad she's done ever since and she feels she owes her life to him.  Now that he did a bunch of bad thanks to Loki, Hawkeye feels he has to make up for that as well.  She mentions at both the moments you mention Teg, that she feels she has to still make up for what she had done.

[CeeKay]

$1 billion world wide.  any bets that we'll see a sequel for Holiday 2014?  I'd say Summer 2014 but Captain America 2 is due out around then.

[Turtle]

So, apparently, the Marvel Superheroes have entered the territory of non-geek girl crushes now in schools, alongside Legolas and Twilight characters. It's apparently much more hip to like those characters than ever before.

Geek kids rejoice.

Of course, the actors playing those superheroes are pretty much handsome hunks, and the geek boys will still have to deal with superhero level physique expectations.

[rickfc]

Awesome artwork (SPOILERS)

Spoiler for Hiden:

[Teggy]

Hawkeye keeps a quiver on even when he wears a suit?

[Blackjack]

$1 billion world wide.  any bets that we'll see a sequel for Holiday 2014?  I'd say Summer 2014 but Captain America 2 is due out around then.

2015 at the earliest. I think they learned from Iron Man 2 backlash that 2 years between sequels is rushing it. imho, if they rush it, there's no way Whedon will do it as he has several smaller personal projects he wants to do. Whedon is not Michael Bay -- I don't know if Joss necessarily even wants to become a perennial comic book franchise mega-film director.

Though realistically, if they want to do a follow up by 2015, they'd probably have to have the writer/director lined up some time in 2013. So the question might be if they basically leave Whedon alone for a year and then re-visit him and say, "We loved your work, would you be up to tackling it again?", is that enough time for him to do the other things he loves to do, and be recharged enough to tackle a colossal sequel, or would he just say "nah."

The idea -- from what I've read -- is for again all these solo films (IM3, Thor 2, CA2, perhaps a "Hulk 3.0") to again build and lead into a second Avengers film. I'm kinda sad Marvel deemed Cap will be strictly modern-day. And not just because I won't be able to ogle Hayley Atwell anymore.  

[Isgrimnur]

Marvel Studios is listed for the following upcoming:

• The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
• Iron Man 3 (2013)
• Thor 2 (2013)
• "The Incredible Hulk" (2014)
• Deadpool (2014)
• Ant-Man (2014)
• Captain America 2 (2014)

Plus eight more "In Development" under IMDB Pro, in the off chance someone has a membership (PR_GMR?  No?) or wants to sign up for their 2-week trial.

[PR_GMR]

If they don't hire Whedon for the sequel, Marvel will be stupid. 2015 would be optimal for a sequel, though studios are now insistant on a 2-year turnaround between sequels. They might push a 2014 release date. I've one message for Marvel in general: 'Avengers sequel? Whedon? Pay the man!'

[CeeKay]

Plus eight more "In Development" under IMDB Pro, in the off chance someone has a membership (PR_GMR?  No?) or wants to sign up for their 2-week trial.

I'm guessing some of these that have been mentioned from time to time:

new Hulk movie (the one on the list is a TV show)
Black Widow
Black Panther
Iron Fist
Luke Cage
Vision
whatever X-Men movie they do next

[hepcat]

If they don't hire Whedon for the sequel, Marvel will be stupid. 2015 would be optimal for a sequel, though studios are now insistant on a 2-year turnaround between sequels. They might push a 2014 release date. I've one message for Marvel in general: 'Avengers sequel? Whedon? Pay the man!'

It may not be up to the studio.  Some directors just don't enjoy sequels or working with large studios.  I got the feeling that's what happened with Branagh and the Thor franchise.

[CeeKay]

I got the feeling that's what happened with Branagh and the Thor franchise.

I heard that he couldn't make the time commitment due to other projects:

Instead of crossing the Rainbow Bridge again, Branagh will be busy as the returning star of the acclaimed British television series “Wallander” and with his ramping work with a theater group in his native Belfast.

[Bullwinkle]

I thought I'd read that X-Men 2nd Class (or whatever) was moving forward to shoot after Jennifer Lawrence had finished Catching Fire.

EDIT:  It starts shooting in January.

[CeeKay]

Whedon on possibly doing a sequel:

“The Avengers” passed the $1-billion mark in worldwide ticket sales this weekend, and a sequel is already in the works. Does that mean writer-director Joss Whedon will be back at the helm of the franchise that unites Marvel’s box-office heavyweights, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Hulk?

“You know, I’m very torn,” Whedon said in a sit-down interview in Beverly Hills before the film’s U.S. opening. “It’s an enormous amount of work telling what is ultimately somebody else’s story, even though I feel like I did get to put myself into it. But at the same time, I have a bunch of ideas, and they all seem really cool.”

[Blackjack]

This is pretty sweet, was in PA Report's "The Cut"...

Story of a Five Year Old Avenger, Meeting The Avengers
http://www.g33kwatch.com/movies/story-of-a-five-year-old-avenger-meeting-the-avengers/
*The photo of Tom Hiddleston with a kid on his shoulders was all over, and folks had assumed the kid was a son of a cast or crew member.

[Bullwinkle]

This is pretty sweet, was in PA Report's "The Cut"...

Story of a Five Year Old Avenger, Meeting The Avengers
http://www.g33kwatch.com/movies/story-of-a-five-year-old-avenger-meeting-the-avengers/
*The photo of Tom Hiddleston with a kid on his shoulders was all over, and folks had assumed the kid was a son of a cast or crew member.

So cool.

I imagine it's not over, though.  Someone important will see this and get that kid's pictures signed.  

Hell, I wouldn't be suprised if he had a cameo in the Captain America movie, holding that shield.

[CeeKay]

the Avengers will assemble on blu ray and DVD on September 25th.

AVENGERS 4-Disc BD Combo Pack, 2-Disc BD Combo Pack and 2-Disc DVD Combo Pack Special Features:
* AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR JOSS WHEDON
* MARVEL ONE-SHOT: ITEM 47
* SECOND SCREEN
* GAG REEL
* DELETED SCENES
- Alternate Opening - Maria Hill Interrogation
- Extended Scene - Loki & Barton Strategize
- Steve Rogers - Man Out of Time
- Nick Fury & World Security Council
- Extended Viaduct Fight - Raw Footage
- Fury & Hill Discuss the World Security Council
- Extended Scene - Banner and Security Guard
- Alternate Ending - Maria Hill Interrogation
* FEATURETTES
A Visual Journey
- Assembling the Ultimate Team
* SOUNDGARDEN MUSIC VIDEO - "Live to Rise"

AVENGERS DVD Special Features:
* AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR JOSS WHEDON
* FEATURETTES
- Assembling the Ultimate Team

I bet the one shot, 'Item 47', will be about:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Agent getting the vintage Captain America cards-  either the whole set or the ones he needs to complete it.

[Soulchilde]

Avengers 2  musing

Spoiler for Hiden:

Hope they work in the Infinity Gauntlet, but that might be too geekish

Wonder if Whedon could pull off the Secret War...

[Bullwinkle]

Avengers 2  musing

Spoiler for Hiden:

Hope they work in the Infinity Gauntlet, but that might be too geekish

Wonder if Whedon could pull off the Secret War...

Just read the series you mentioned in the spoiler, and I don't know that it would really work on screen. 

Spoiler for Hiden:

It's too big, with necessarily undefined powers.  And lots of characters movie viewers wouldn't have heard about.  Plus the human heroes don't actually get to do much.

[Soulchilde]

Just saw this blog and it supports my musing about Avengers 2

[Blackjack]

For box office nerds like me...

All Time Grossers
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/showdowns/chart/?id=alltimegrossvs.htm
*The Avengers made not quite $11M this past weekend. Has a decent chance of passing Titanic ($600.8M) for 2nd place all-time domestic box office. Barring a massive re-release down the road, The Avengers isn't likely to pass Avatar domestically ($749.8M), or Avatar ($2B) or Titanic ($1.5B) internationally. Just makes you more appreciate what box office freaks those two movies were in their respective release windows (late 1997-1998 for Titanic; late 2009-2010 for Avatar).

[metallicorphan]

the Avengers will assemble on blu ray and DVD on September 25th.

AVENGERS 4-Disc BD Combo Pack, 2-Disc BD Combo Pack and 2-Disc DVD Combo Pack Special Features:
* AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR JOSS WHEDON
* MARVEL ONE-SHOT: ITEM 47
* SECOND SCREEN
* GAG REEL
* DELETED SCENES
- Alternate Opening - Maria Hill Interrogation
- Extended Scene - Loki & Barton Strategize
- Steve Rogers - Man Out of Time
- Nick Fury & World Security Council
- Extended Viaduct Fight - Raw Footage
- Fury & Hill Discuss the World Security Council
- Extended Scene - Banner and Security Guard
- Alternate Ending - Maria Hill Interrogation
* FEATURETTES
A Visual Journey
- Assembling the Ultimate Team
* SOUNDGARDEN MUSIC VIDEO - "Live to Rise"

AVENGERS DVD Special Features:
* AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR JOSS WHEDON
* FEATURETTES
- Assembling the Ultimate Team

I bet the one shot, 'Item 47', will be about:

Spoiler for Hiden:

Agent getting the vintage Captain America cards-  either the whole set or the ones he needs to complete it.

we have a September 17th date for that

we also have this listed,which makes the 'Avengers Assemble' UK title a bit more likable 
Amazon.co.uk

6 Pack Blu-Ray set
Iron Man
Iron Man 2
Thor
The Incredible Hulk
Captain America
Avengers Assemble

for £34.99 that's not a bad Blu Ray box set price

[CeeKay]

rumor that there may be an extended version coming to theaters in August.

[Teggy]

Avengers had a different name in the UK? Something to do with the old 60s show?

[Harkonis]

Avengers had a different name in the UK? Something to do with the old 60s show?

yes to both

[Isgrimnur]

Avengers had a different name in the UK? Something to do with the old 60s show?

Now with links!

[metallicorphan]

Avengers had a different name in the UK? Something to do with the old 60s show?

Now with links!

yeah a bit dumb,because that show was a hit all round the world,but then there is the godawful film with Sean Connery and Uma Thurman

I don't mind our title,as it still fits with the Marvel Avengers Comics,but to rename it incase we get mixed up with the other is annoying,how dumb do they think we are?

this is quite a good(short) article from March on name changes to movies
http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/avengers-gets-new-uk-exclusive-title.html

Last year Marvel altered the title of their Captain America film to just 'The First Avenger' in Russia, Ukraine and South Korea. They thought plastering ‘America’ all over the poster would harm it’s commercial prospects.

At this rate expect Ridley Scott's Alien prequel 'Prometheus' to be renamed 'Ridley Scott presents... Alien Zero: Prometheus' sometime next week.