The Marvel Cinematic Universe has in some ways been an experiment in filmmaking, one which has paid off fairly nicely through the years. After introducing varied characters via solo motion pictures, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes lastly crossed over and embraced serialized storytelling with Joss Whedon’s The Avengers. He additionally stepped in to deal with the screenplay, which was beforehand written by Zak Penn. The unique Avengers author was fired by Joss Whedon (who mentioned he was performed with Marvel) years And years later he calls that filmmaker a “dick.” Let’s break all of it down.
These of us who’ve been watching the Marvel motion pictures so as know what an thrilling occasion The Avengers was. However there was some behind-the-scenes drama forward of the MCU’s first large crossover blockbuster. Within the new ebook MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (through CBM), author Zak Penn received trustworthy about what it was like seeing Whedon introduced in to take over the film he’d been spending years writing. In his phrases,
All the opposite administrators we had been speaking about, Joss wasn’t on the record. I heard he was going to rewrite the script himself. He did not even need to meet with me – which, by the best way, I at all times name the author I am changing. I really feel like that is courtesy.
Ouch. It appears like Penn was actually blindsided when Joss Whedon was employed for The Avengers, and shortly began writing his personal script for the blockbuster. What’s extra, he didn’t immediately talk with the unique screenwriter, who would go on to get a “story by” credit score alongside the controversial Buffy filmmaker.
Penn really knew Joss Whedon previous to this shake-up, and reportedly reached out to him about The Avengers. Per The Reign of Marvel Studios, he appealed to Whedon, who insisted he’d rewrite your entire script. The author received blunt about this expertise, sharing:
I believe he is a dick. I believe he is a nasty particular person, and it was actually stunning. Keep in mind, my bonus relies on my credit score. So actually hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of {dollars}, which isn’t the problem right here, however that simply got here out of my pocket and went into Joss’s pocket.
Touche. In the long run Zak Penn wasn’t credited for The Avengers’ screenplay, and was solely listed as having labored on the story. And as such, he misplaced out on an enormous paycheck, in addition to a serious credit score for his resume. It’s little doubt for that reason that he thinks Whedon is such a “dick.”
Penn was no stranger to superhero motion pictures on the level of engaged on The Avengers, as his earlier credit embrace tasks like X2, and The Unimaginable Hulk. Alas, Joss Whedon was decided to pen a brand new script, and to have the function writing credit score on the blockbuster. In the long run he did simply that.
That is the most recent instance of tales popping out about Joss Whedon’s habits on main productions. He was {accused} of misconduct by quite a few collaborators, together with Buffy’s Charisma Carpenter. Plus there’s all of Whedon’s Justice League drama.
The MCU will return to theaters with The Marvels on November tenth, and The Avengers is streaming now with a Disney+ subscription. Remember to try the 2023 film launch dates to plan your subsequent film expertise.
