Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon

In October 2011, soon after wrapping filming of The Avengers, The Hollywood Reporter and various internet sites reported that Whedon had “relaxed” after completion of the massive project by shooting, at his house in Santa Clara, California, his own script of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Featuring several veteran Whedon performers—Nathan Fillion (BtVSS, Firefly, Serenity, DHSAAB), Clark Gregg

Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon

Working Outside the System

(Marvel’s The Avengers), Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse), Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity), Fran Kranz (Dollhouse, The Cabin in the Woods), Reed Diamond (Dollhouse), Tom Lenk (BtVSS, Angel, The Cabin in the Woods)—Much, we learned, would be released by “Bellwether Pictures,” a new “micro studio” . . .



. . . a new “micro studio” Whedon had established with his wife Kai Cole as co-head.





The chosen name, like most of Whedon’s use of language, is both intriguing and revealing. According to Dictionary.com a “bellwether” is

1. a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell.2. a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry.3. a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index.



4. a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like; ringleader.

But from The World English Dictionary, we also learn that a “bellwether” may likewise be understood as “a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly.” A good word, is it not, for a Joss Whedon enterprise?



At the time of writing, Much Ado’s wide release (in June 2013) is still months away, but those who had the opportunity to screen it at the Toronto International Film Festival praised what they saw. Writing in The Guardian, Catherine Shoard would praise Whedon’s “coup . . . in simply directing a very good version of the play” with “a keen ear for comedy, a no-nonsense approach to ditching the gags that don't work, a deft hand for



Whedon at the Toronto International Film Festival

Premiere of Much Ado About Nothing



Benedick (Alexis Denisoff) and Beatrice (Amy Acker)



Beatrice (Amy Acker)



Verges (Tom Lenk) and Dogberry (Nathan Fillion)



Claudio (Fran Kranz)



Leonato (Clark Gregg) and Claudio (Fran Kranz)



Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Hero (Jillian Morgese)



Don John (Sean Maher) and Don Pedro (Reed Diamond)



Don John (Sean Maher)



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



Whedon’s House



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Documents

Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon