The Avengers' Original Writer Dishes on Joss Whedon with Uncensored Language

Highlights

Joss Whedon removed writer Zak Penn from The Avengers without proper courtesy, sparking understandable anger and frustration.

Penn's efforts to resolve the situation peacefully were met with an apathetic response from Whedon, further cementing Penn's unfavorable perception of him. Whedon's conduct, encompassing his mishandling of internal matters, serves as a glaring example of the toxic behavior prevalent not only in the Marvel Cinematic Universe but in the industry at large.

When Joss Whedon took over as director of the 2012 film The Avengers, he made a controversial decision by removing writer Zak Penn from the project. This move had significant implications as Penn's involvement could have played a crucial role in launching the highly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. The issue at hand goes beyond financial concerns and instead focuses on the lack of basic courtesy displayed by Whedon in this situation. Considering Whedon's previous abusive behavior on projects such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, some may view this as a minor offense to be upset about. However, it must be recognized that The Avengers had the potential to significantly impact one's career.

In the book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (via Heroic Hollywood) by authors Joanna Robinson, Dave Gonzales, and Gavin Edwards, Penn reveals his thoughts on his collaboration with Whedon. Penn shared, "Joss wasn't even considered among the other directors we were discussing. I heard that he intended to rewrite the script himself. Surprisingly, he didn't express any interest in meeting with me – which, incidentally, I find to be a basic professional courtesy that should be extended when a writer is being replaced." Clearly, Penn had valid reasons to feel discontented with how things unfolded.

After Whedon fired him without giving any explanation, Penn took it upon himself to personally contact the director in hopes of resolving the situation amicably and avoiding any awkwardness. Recounting the conversation, Penn shared, "He told me that it wasn't awkward for him, as he was in the process of rewriting my character. It became glaringly obvious that he had absolutely no interest in having me involved with the film." It's understandable why Penn would feel angered by this turn of events, and he expressed his frustration with blunt language.

"I believe he is an unpleasant person," Penn continued. "I think he is morally questionable, and it was genuinely surprising. Let's remember, my compensation is tied to my name being credited. So, millions and millions of dollars, which isn't the main issue here, but that money came out of my pocket and ended up in Joss's pocket." This alone is enough to justify Penn's choice of words. Beyond Whedon misinterpreting Loki and other elements of The Avengers, the way he allegedly handled matters behind the scenes would surely aggravate even the calmest individuals.

There has been a history of inappropriate conduct within the MCU, leading stars like Brie Larson to consider quitting due to the presence of toxic fans. However, it is important to acknowledge that this toxicity can also originate from within, even among individuals like Whedon, who were once admired for their progressive creativity until allegations started to surface. It is encouraging that more individuals are now speaking out against abusive, sexist, and other forms of toxic behavior exhibited by influential figures like Whedon. Nevertheless, there is still a significant amount of progress that needs to be made in order to create a safer environment for those involved. Hopefully, the MCU has become more attuned to these issues.

You can watch The Avengers on Disney Plus.

Source: MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios (via Heroic Hollywood)