This week brought us an exciting array of Joss Whedon news and goodies — amongst them a deleted alternate opening to the popular movie and a deleted scene featuring Captain America. We also got confirmation that Joss Whedon will be developing the live-action TV series S.H.I.E.L.D. for ABC, and we’re happy to see The Avengers returning to theaters for Labor Day weekend. Whedon recently spoke to Vulture about all things superheroes, reiterating his excitement about his television comeback.
“The important thing to me is that we know what the show is. We love what it is. It came together very organically, so when we went in to pitch [to Marvel], it wasn’t like, We’re trying to find this because you want a TV show, it was, Check this out. And that’s a good way to walk in a room,” he told them. EW reminds us that “Whedon has confirmed he’s on board to at least consult on [S.H.I.E.L.D.], though he won’t be the showrunner.” It makes sense since he’s dedicating a good portion of his time to working on the Avengers sequel, which he says he’s “pretty on fire with.” He told Vulture:
“It is unbelievably daunting, especially because I don’t want to lose sight of all the other things I have on my docket and in my heart. So, it’s going to be an insane few years, but I feel ready for that. It’s an unholy amount of productivity, but as long as I give it all I can, it’s a good thing. What’s great is that the deal with Marvel is nonspecific, so I will give all I can, but the moment I can’t, I just walk away. The moment I say, ‘You know, I’d like to help more on this project, but I need this time for The Avengers,’ there’s no obligation. It’s not like, ‘You must spend this amount of time on this movie.’ It’s as much as it needs to be.”
As Variety writer Cynthia Littleton put it on Twitter, “Joss reserves right to pepper in bits here and there. His bro Jed and Maurissa T. will be showrunners, he’ll just show up every now and then ‘and take credit for everything.'” Read the full interview at Vulture for further details on deleted scenes and much more.