Once upon a time, there existed a sweet relationship between Joss Whedon and Marvel Studios. He not only created the first television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., he also helmed two of their most successful big-screen hits to date - The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron.
But it was the second Avengers movie that brought bitterness into their relationship. Despite the movie bagging quite a bit of money, it was criticized by many, who blamed the director. However, the director didn't feel like he deserved it all, so he parted ways with the studio.
Earlier this year, Joss Whedon revealed that he would eagerly make a comeback to the MCU if he is asked to direct a female superhero movie, and if it has a "Jessica Jones-ey kind" of story. He also suggested that he isn't interested in directing Captain Marvel.
During his latest interview with IGN at San Diego Comic-Con International, the interviewer asks Whedon whether he would want to helm a Black Widow standalone movie. Without hesitating at all, the director responds in the affirmative, and says that he would want to do it for "two reasons". What are they?
Firstly, Whedon thinks that Black Widow is "very interesting and earthbound". He explains:
"¦So it's the kind of action that I got to do less of with somebody like Thor or The Vision. When you get into your Superman territory, it's harder to maintain the gritty action that the Russo brothers do so brilliantly, and she's got that kind of thing, and [you can] really do a spy thriller. Like really do a good, paranoid, John le Carré on crack sort of thing. That would be really fun.
Okay, that's his first reason to be willing to do a Black Widow solo movie. What is the second reason? The second reason is none other than the actress who plays Natasha Romanoff in the MCU, Scarlett Johansson! According to the director:
Scarlett Johansson is just delightful. She works really hard, but she just spends most of her time cracking me up, so it would be a fun shoot.
Johansson has already expressed her desire for a Black Widow solo movie. Her MCU co-stars, including Anthony Mackie and Clark Gregg, also like the idea. While the Falcon actor said that he would want his character to be in that movie, the Phil Coulson actor claimed that it would be "tragic" and "a waste" if they didn't give the female superhero her standalone movie!
Marvel President Kevin Feige said a few months ago that they are "most committed" to doing a Black Widow standalone movie. So, whether it happens and whether they’ll consider Whedon as the film’s director remains to be seen.
You can check out the director's full interview below!
