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Joss Whedon played an integral role in bringing together the members of the Avengers in 2012. He had the enormous pressure of delivering the ultimate team-up film that fans have been dreaming about. The MCU had been slowly building to this film and the studio was attempting a huge risk that they were bold enough to commit to.
Marvel had hired Zak Penn to pen a script for an Avengers film. But as soon as Joss Whedon got attached as director, he took total authority on the direction of the film and its script. This did not sit well with Penn and he decided to leave the project.
Also read:“It was frustrating”: Jeremy Renner Hated Working in Joss Whedon’s $1.5B Avengers Film, Felt His Character Was Unjustly Sidelined
Joss Whedon’s Authoritative Behavior Made Zak Penn Back Away fromThe Avengers
Phase 1 of the MCU was a building block for what Kevin Feige wanted the universe to look like. The initial films of the MCU connected storylines and characters while building to a crossover film. This would become the firstAvengersfilm in 2012.
Zak Penn had written the script of the film but whenJoss Whedonwas attached as director, he took total control of the project and told Penn to remove his name from the writing credits of the film. Penn talked about his displeasure with Whedon and ultimately leaving the project saying, (viaMCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios)
“Penn said that he balked when Whedon told him to take his name off the screenplay that he had spent years developing. ‘My kids have grown up while I’ve been working on it. They’ve all told their friends about it. What’s going to happen when their friends are like ‘Your dad didn’t work on Avengers?’ Whedon’s response, according to Penn: What’s going to happen when my kids think that you wrote half the story.?”
It is extremely disrespectful and offensive on Whedon’s part to force someone to leave a project while taking the ideas that they spent years working on. Whedon’s actions and irresponsible behavior have now led him to be blacklisted in Hollywood and more people have come out voicing the director’s vile and obnoxious way of working.
Also read:“You guys do whatever you want”: Kevin Feige Had Warned Joss Whedon for His ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Series Fate With $714M Chris Evans Movie
Zak Penn Did Not Hold Back While Talking About Joss Whedon
Zak Penn backed off from the firstAvengersfilm as he had conflicts with director Joss Whedon, who told him to remove his name from the writing credits of the film. Although Penn’s name is still included in the story credits of the film, Penn did not have kind words to say about Whedon.
In the bookMCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, he called Whedon a bad person and expressed his displeasure about Whedon profiting from the ideas that he spent years working on. He said,
“All the other directors we had been talking about, Joss wasn’t on the list. I heard he was going to rewrite the script himself. He didn’t even want to meet with me – which, by the way, I always call the writer I’m replacing. I feel like that’s courtesy. He said to me, ‘No, it’s not awkward for me. I’m rewriting you.’
It became pretty apparent that he had less than zero interest in, in any way, having me involved with the movie. I think he’s a d*ck. I think he’s a bad person, and it was really surprising. Remember, my bonus is based on my credit. So literally millions and millions of dollars, which is not the issue here, but that just came out of my pocket and went into Joss’s pocket.”
Although the film turned out to be a huge hit for the studio, the behind-the-scenes scenario involved a lot of mistreatment and misuse of power. It is only fitting that Whedon is now known for his horrible behavior throughout the years and is blacklisted from the industry.
Also read:Despite His Unforgivable Acts, Henry Cavill Reportedly Liked Joss Whedon’s Superman More Than Zack Snyder’s Version
Rahul Thokchom
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1276
Rahul Thokchom is a senior content writer at Fandomwire who is passionate about covering the world of pop culture and entertainment. He has a Masters Degree in English that contributes to the richness and creativity in his works.
