It’s been a heck of a spring for Joss Whedon, hasn’t it? Besides the overwhelming, record-breaking success of The Avengers, Whedon’s previously shelved, then expectation-exceeding Cabin In the Woods was also a hit with fans. (He’d still like to let you know that’s still in “some theaters,” by the way.) But the filmmaker’s newfound epic success that has put him in some very high Hollywood ranks would not have been possible if not for all the fans who came out to buy all those tickets, then proceed to rave about what they saw. And now, Joss Whedon is humbly expressing his thanks — on Whedonesque. Because he is still the same groovy guy.
We won’t run the entire thing, but here are some higlights from Whedon’s message to his fans, framed as a fake interview between Whedon and an imaginary generic reporter known as Rutherford D. Actualperson. First, from the introduction:
People have told me that this matters, that my life is about to change. I am sure that is true. And change is good — change is exciting. I think — not to jinx it — that I may finally be recognized at Comiccon. Imagine! Also, with my percentage of “the Avengers” gross, I can afford to buy… [gets call from agent. Weeps manfully. Resumes typing.] …a fine meal. But REALLY fine, with truffles and s#!+. And I can get a studio to finance my dream project, the reboot of “Air Bud” that we all feel is so long overdue. (He could play Jai Alai! Think of the emotional ramifications of JAI ALAI!!!!)
But really, folks:
What doesn’t change is anything that matters. What doesn’t change is that I’ve had the smartest, most loyal, most passionate, most articulate group of — I’m not even gonna say fans. I’m going with “peeps” — that any cult oddity such as my bad self could have dreamt of. When almost no one was watching, when people probably should have STOPPED watching, I’ve had three constants: my family and friends, my collaborators (often the same), and y’all. … I have so much. I have people, in my life, on this site, in places I’ve yet to discover, that always made me feel the truth of success: an artist and an audience communicating. Communicating to the point of collaborating. I’ve thought, “maybe I’m over; maybe I’ve said my piece”. But never with fear. Never with rancor. Because of y’all. Because you knew me when. If you think topping a box office record compares with someone telling you your work helped them through a rough time, you’re probably new here. (For the record, and despite my inhuman distance from the joy-joy of it: topping a box office record is super-dope. I’m an alien, not a robot.) So this is me, saying thank you. All of you. You’ve taken as much guff for loving my work as I have for over-writing it, and you deserve, in this our time of streaming into the main, to crow. To glow. To crow and go “I told you so”, to those Joe Blows not in the know. (LAST time I hire Dr. Seuss to punch my posts up. Yeesh!)
And the fake interview begins:
RDA: I’ve seen a lot of a talk about “the Availers” vs “the Dark Knight Rises”. How will you feel if you’re eclipsed by Nolan?
JW: I’m glad I made you ask that. I will feel sad. But let’s look at the bigger picture, and I can’t say this enough: THIS IS NOT A ZERO SUM GAME. Our successes, whoever has the mostest, are a boon to each other. … Whatever TDKR does on its first weekend, the only stat that matters to me is the ticket I’M definitely buying. Nolan and Raimi INVENTED the true superhero flick, yo. (Special mention to Jon Favreau and James Gunn.) Happy to be in the mix.
So, did you just make a flawless movie, Joss Whedon?
RDA: Is ‘the Ravengers” a perfect movie? It did get an A+ cinemascore…
JW: There are very few perfect movies. “The Court Jester”, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, “Godfather” I & II… The list does not go on and on. “The Avengers” is notably IMperfect, which makes its success mean so much more to me — because it’s striking a chord that matters MORE than its obvious flaws. Like the team, it appears to be more than the sun of its parts. Boo-yah!
RDA: What do you feel is the greatest achievement of “the Avoiders”?
JW: Getting “mewling quim” out there to the masses. Also, Hulk.
RDA: Anyone in particular you’d like to thank?
JW: [Reads from notecard]. I couldn’t have done this myself. Part of this Saturn Award belongs to Jeremy Latcham, Kevin Feige, and the fine Marvel folk… But the secret ingredient is my closest peeps: J-Mo, who did uncredited punch-up work (carrier battle, yo!), Z-bro, Drew “I am Loki only taller and foppier” Goddard, and Kai, all of whom worked the story with me. Without them (and Jeremy), I’d still be figuring out how the Wasp fits in to this, and where to put Red Hulk.
Okay, that was a lot of it. Because it was really great. Also included: Whedon is still dead set on making Dr. Horrible 2 and he’s “still working” on Much Ado About Nothing, and he hopes that people like it.
Guys, I think the only way to counter-thank Joss Whedon is to see The Avengers, and perhaps Cabin In the Woods, at least three more times each and just give him all of our money. He might be worth it, and you don’t see Michael Bay thanking his fans in a humble post on a fan blog, do you now?
(via Whedonesque)
- Avengers to Officially Reassemble, Surprising No One; Marvel Stuff in Disney Parks Is a Go
- The Pentagon Snubbed The Avengers Because They Didn’t Know Who Was In Charge — Them or S.H.I.E.L.D.
- The Avengers Officially Has the Highest Grossing Opening Weekend
