Katie Crocker - Associate Editor
Cult Director Joss Whedon, out stumping “The Avengers”, took some time out today to answer pressing questions from his Whedon-ites (is that what we call them? If so, I’m definitely one of them! ) on Reddit !
Of course the fans grilled him on a follow-up to his internet sensation ”Dr. Horrible” (something I’m dying to see!), the buzzworthy “Cabin in the Woods,” his trademark “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” and shot off questions about his upcoming super, super pricey blockbusterish release, “Avengers.”
Here are some of the best questions/answers !
What should we expect to see in the Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog sequel? Do you plan on bringing back the original core cast?
Whedon: Top of Form Yes, the original cast will be back for Dr H 2, but Penny will be… um… I don’t want to say “decomposing”…
I read online that you plan to begin shooting Dr Horrible 2 after you finish up on The Avengers. Is this true, and is there any chance you could give us an idea of what we can expect?
Whedon: We’re not shooting right now, we’re still in the early stages of writing. But we hope to make a great deal of progress this summer. And you can expect the death of someone you love.
What is your personal favorite work of Science Fiction? And what inspires you to continue to create?
Whedon: Whedon: Dune. (The book). And what inspires me is Dune (the miniseries). (Actually, I don’t think of myself as being inspired to create. I can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s like breathing.)
Which joke in your body of work are you most proud of?
Whedon: Titan A.E.
Have you ever been approached to write a Doctor Who episode? Is it something you’d be interested in doing if the opportunity presented itself?
Whedon: The doctor is dope, but I’ve just spent 2 years writing other people’s characters, plus I’ve got my Firefly kickstarter adventure.
What is your dream project? I mean, if money and marketability weren’t an issue in any way, what would be the first movie or TV show you’d make?
Whedon: I have many dream projects. But all the money in the world means just one thing: spaceships. Spaceships in trouble.
Would you have brought Fred back if Angel hadn’t ended with season 5?
Any regrets as far as stories, character developments that you were unable to do with any of the Buffy/Angel characters?
Whedon: Season six of Angel would have kicked all manner of ass. And Illyria would have manifested as Fred often enough to become very confused about her identity.
And now I’m sad again.
Which of your characters was your absolute favorite to write? Why? Conversely, which of your characters was the most difficult for you to write?
Whedon: Top of Form Favorite characters? Jeez. Spike, Andrew, Illyria, River, Captain Hammer, Loki, the Cheese Man… hell, I love them all, or I wouldn’t write them. But I tend to the left of center.
The hardest was always Angel. How to make a decent, handsome, stalwart hero interesting — tough. Angelus, on the other hand…
Do you use techniques to boost your creativity for writing? Do you for instance write better when you meditate, exercise, take alcohol etc.?
Whedon: I like movie scores. They really help put me in the moment, no matter where I am. Avengers owes a lot to Rachel Portman’s Never Let Me Go and Hart’s War. Also Zimmer: the Thin Red Line, King Arthur, Black Hawk Down…
special mention: Breach, Seven Pounds, Passengers…
lifetime achievement award: Memoirs of a Geisha, by the man himself, Mr. Williams.
And I do like a reward for writing — cup of tea, glass of wine, meth-fueled crime spree… but when a story has me, I don’t need anything but a pen.
While shooting the Avengers how hard was it not to replace Captain America with Captain Hammer?
What was it like handling that many stars at once on the Avengers set?
Whedon: Handling that many stars was easy, because they looked after each other. They cared about the work. They one time did what I said (well, asked). No, it really was a dream ensemble.
And Captain America IS Captain Hammer. DON’T TELL CHRIS EVANS.
