Joss Whedon Will Never Be Done with Superheroes
At Comic-Con io9 had the opportunity to interview Joss Whedon, the director of the first two Avengers films, and he talked about superheroes, his new comic Twist, and the criticism he was hit with for the way Black Widow was portrayed in Age of Ultron.
The first thing the director talks about in the interview is how he will never be done with superheroes, saying,
“I don’t think I’ll ever be done with superheroes, because I feel like I was writing about superheroes before I realized that I was. Everything sort of falls in that category. The new thing is called Twist, it’s Victorian story about a chambermaid who becomes a superhero, because I don’t get tired of that.
“It’s a little dark and a little strange. I have license to sort of go to different places. I’m not beholden to the 40 years of this comic that existed before. But it is kind of classical in structure in the sense that it’s about women and men and power, culture and money and all the things I always like to nudge in.”
Whedon’s new Twist comic seems like it’s going to be pretty badass. You can read more about it here. When asked if Twist could be adapted into a TV show or movie the director says,
“It’s a Dark Horse book, probably like six issues with the potential to be more. Unless I kill everyone, because you know me [laughs].”
He goes on to discuss the strong lead female character in the story,
“It’s a departure for me. You know, that’s a story that’s always compelling to me. Somebody to whom nobody would pay attention, who suddenly becomes worthy of notice. Her own identity is a different voice to put this to. Although, like I said, the structure is kind of classical in the way that I like, it has a much more of a weird, dark Victorian tinge to it.”
Whedon has always promoted strong female characters in his projects, so it was a surprise that and Marvel got such a strong backlash for how he handled Black Widow in Age of Ultron. He has no regrets on what he did with the character and defends it in the following statement:
“My political opinions have never gotten me that much hate! You know, ultimately everybody’s entitled to their opinion. Sending me pictures of nooses and things was maybe a little too entitled. I disagree. It’s very simple. This is the way that I see it. The way I liked it. When I pitched it, the Marvel guys were like, “Yes.” It never occurred to us that would happen. And then, people went bonkers.
“In particular, the thing with Clint [Hawkeye], where they’re like, “Oh ... but those two!” You know. For me, that’s an outright “No. You’re wrong.” I mean, things could go any way, but that, for me, is a much more powerful and even much more romantic statement: that those people would die for each other, but they’re not trying to sleep with each other. That’s something about men and women that I wanted to say. So I’m not backing down on that one. I think they’re wrong.”
As long as Whedon keeps making movies, TV shows, and comics, the world will be a better place. Make sure to read the full interview on io9 here.