Joss Whedon on Marvel vs DC and His Hopes For Wonder Woman

CBR

By Rob Cave

Published Oct 21, 2016

The writer/director discusses the differences between Marvel and DC films, and his mixed emotions about the upcoming Wonder Woman movie.

As the writer and director of "The Avengers" and "Avengers: Age of Ultron," and co-creator of "Agents of S.HI.E.L.D.," Joss Whedon has his own perspective on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and what separates it from DC's live-action offerings.

In a wide-ranging interview with Complex, he said the primary difference comes down to method, saying, "DC has been more cinematic — their stuff looks amazing — but I feel like Kevin [Feige, president of Marvel Studios] is a really good storyteller. He really cares about coherence, and I feel like style never defeats substance at Marvel, but a little style creeps in. 'Ant-Man' had some, 'Doctor Strange' might be funky."

Whedon then contrasted their different approaches to television. "The Marvel-Netflix thing is working really well, " he said. "DC’s decision to have their shows on TV with different actors playing the same characters at the same time as their movies, is a little interesting." However, he noted that the move hasn't been popular with his his daughter, a fan of both "The Flash" and "Supergirl" TV series.

He also addressed his high hopes for the upcoming "Wonder Woman" movie, and his mixed feelings in light of his own history with the project. Whedon had been attached to write and direct a film starring the DC Comics icon as early as 2004, but parted company with Warner Bros. three years later, explaining, “They just didn’t like my take. It’s pretty simple.”

"I want it to be good," Whedon told Complex of the Patty Jenkins film. "The trailer was just wonderful. I'll probably be disappointed, me more than anybody else, because I'll be like, 'Wow, my version ...' or whatever, but I can still get myself up for it. The trailer had her shield and her fire hammer and yep, I'm good, this will be fine, everything is good. Such an image."

Opening June 2, 2017, “Wonder Woman” stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, Lucy Davis, Danny Huston, Elena Anaya, Saïd Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner, Lisa Loven Kongsli and David Thewlis.