From a Gizmodo Japan interview (via the Bleeding Cool English language translation), Joss Whedon hints at what his role actually is at Marvel Studios for the next three years:
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… I’ll be very deeply involved [with the other movies]. 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… 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.
I’m both excited about the idea of Whedon helping to construct a larger “Marvel World View” – especially because I think my tastes align with his vis a vis superheroes and comedy – and somewhat uncertain about the fact that “all” the movies will interconnect with Avengers. I mean, it’s not the greatest surprise, but somehow I found myself hoping that we’d have some standalone movies from Marvel at sometime soon…
August 22nd, 2012 at 4:13 pm
New meaning? A by the book action film without a single new approach to the idea of a superhero story other than “lots of heroes?” Really, Joss?
August 22nd, 2012 at 7:06 pm
And his approach will include a racially diverse Marvel Universe just like his BTVS, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse properties. Oh, wait!
August 22nd, 2012 at 7:59 pm
@M Did you actually watch Dollhouse? And convenient of you to leave off Firefly. So you glossed over his last two TV shows. Good stuff.
August 22nd, 2012 at 8:00 pm
At least some of the other movies are going to have to be only tangibly connected. Like, for example, Thanos being the villain in Guardians of the Galaxy, not Avengers 2.
August 23rd, 2012 at 1:03 am
@Kyle -One Indian on Firefly and one Asian on Dollhouse is not representative of the current population numbers worldwide. The remainder is made up of African Americans. Really?
Five actors out of sixteen characters of the combined two shows who are not white is not what I’d consider diversity.
Avengers-one black man. I’ll not fault Joss Whedon for that since that’s more of a Marvel mandate.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:31 am
Joss Whedon found guilty of un-PCness? I guess there’s always someone holier than thou.
August 23rd, 2012 at 4:33 am
Lol @M
so what?wheres the main target market of this movie or tv series(&his previous tv series)?the marvel movies taking place in what country?thats why they are called minority in US isn’t?
beside where did Joss ever promise that?&theres equally less diversity in big 2 comics currently.
you are thinking too much,just enjoy a movie/tv from its story,without the need of diversity agenda.
August 25th, 2012 at 5:11 am
Hollywood has always targeted the 18 to 35 white male demographic, true. However, considering that the US economy is tanking and other nations such as China, India, Brazil and Malaysia are on the rise, one would think that the industry would take a smarter financial approach. In terms of the US, the Hispanic population is outstripping African Americans, Asian Americans and even Caucasians in population growth. In the years to come, the term minority will certainly be dubious in application to certain Americans.
And I don’t enjoy Joss Whedon’s work because of a lack of diversity. I don’t enjoy it because it’s terrible and panders too much to the teenage nerd/geek demographic. More adult writing would be much appreciated.