It’s Official: Marvel Eying Joss Whedon To Direct ‘The Avengers’

While the news broke yesterday that Joss Whedon is on the short list of names being looked at to direct the upcoming Avengers flick, we were skeptical given that 80% of the news yesterday was to feed into “pranksgiving.” But after extensive research, we now can officially report that this news is legit.

Nothing is official just yet, and Marvel still has two other films to finish and release before even looking at The Avengers, but with a script from Zak Penn allegedly finished, they’re looking to fill the director’s chair sooner than later. From IESB:

Director Louis Leterrier has thrown his hat into the ring as wanting to bring Earth’s mightiest heroes together under one tentpole but we are hearing it will not be his cross to bear. Leterrier mentioned a short list of directors recently that Marvel was looking at, he didn’t know who else was on the list but IESB has found out one other member.

The same sources that spilled the beans to IESB about Spider-Man 4 being put on an indefinite hold back in December, have revealed that another leading contender on that short list to direct “The Avengers” film is none other than Joss Whedon.

Things may become more clear after this weekend, as Clash of the Titans could prove to be a major player in the box office. That may solidify Leterrier’s position as director, but Marvel couldn’t look much further for the ultimate fanboy pick in Whedon.

To date, Joss only has one theatrical directing credit with 2005’s Serenity, the big screen adaptation of his failed Fox series. Between his work on several other series, his battle over the theatrical Wonder Woman, and the overall crush the fan community has on him, Whedon would be an easy fit for this one.