Dollhouse, Firefly, Angel, Buffy : news, photos & videos

Joss Whedon - About recent topics - Tvguidemagazine.com Interview

Webmaster — 2009-11-09T20:43:20Z

Sure, Joss Whedon is still working on Dollhouse (and we'll tell you all about that next week), but he's got lots of other things going and he tells TV Guide Magazine all about it.

How's your deal going to buy the rights to the Terminator franchise ? You put up a couple of bucks, I hear.

I haven't heard back but I've made it clear that this is a non-exclusive offer that other people can have the rights, too. I just have them also. That's a good bargaining chip. You crunch those numbers and that's $10,000 ! That's a lot of money. I will say for the record, as a bargaining chip, I'm willing to go up to $15,000.

Some people have been awfully hostile about your offer. What's that's about ?

I was just joking with my friends ! I was depressed one morning and I thought ‘Ah, I'll cheer myself up,” because I had seen that and thought, “Gosh, I wish I had the wherewithal to buy the Terminator franchise. That would be amazing.' So as a lark, I decided to make a pitch during my morning tea and then people were like—“Oh my God ! Are you insane !” No, are you ? I will say for the record, no one loves the Terminator franchise more than I do. I'm not joking about that part. I loved the series. Josh Freidman did an amazing job and he's hard-core. I loved the Terminator movies. I always wanted to make Terminator movies since I saw one, even before I saw one, I wanted to make a Terminator movie.

On the really happening front, aren't you directing an episode of Glee ?

I am.

Is Glee your new favorite show ?

That would be an exactly correct assessment. With Sarah Connor and Battlestar gone, my wife and I need a new obsession and it landed in my lap. And sang to us !

Are any Dr. Horrible or Buffy songs on the performance roster ?

I would have to say a resonant ‘no way.' The episode isn't about me. It's the next episode of Glee. Hopefully my hands will be invisible on the show. You'll just go, “Why, that is remarkably good. It gives me glee.” That is my hope. I'll be shooting in March.

What's the latest on the sequel to Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog ?

Sad looks from the writers to each other, going “Why is making Dollhouse so hard ? We have to write Dr. Horrible.” We have an outline, a wonderful concept, two songs, and general song placement. It really just needs the time. I'm going to win/win. Either I get the time or I don't because of Dollhouse. Either way it's a success.

Will the entire cast be back ?

I like to think they'll show up. Yeah. Those people, I don't just work with them because they're crazy talents, I work with them because they're the best people I know. They walk over coals. They do it all the time, so yeah, they'll be back.

So do you love or loathe the fan video faux sequel to Dr. Horrible, Horrible Turn ? Have you seen it ?

As long as they're not charging for it, I think it's adorable. As long as it doesn't become copyright infringement, I think it's itsy kitschy glitzy.

Joss Whedon on his $10,000 bid for 'Terminator' : 'It's all ridiculous, but it comes from love'

Webmaster — 2009-11-03T20:18:16Z

Earlier today, geek guru Joss Whedon posted an open letter on fansite Whedonesque.com announcing a $10,000 bid for the rights to the Terminator franchise. (The Financial Times first reported the very real auction, with Sony Pictures and Summit Entertainment reputedly among those in the running.) Almost immediately, the web lit up wondering just how serious Whedon was (sample suggestion for how he'd change the franchise : “Christian Bale's John Connor will get a throat lozenge”). So EW phoned Whedon, and asked him : Was he just being funny ? Or making a bid for the franchise by way of being funny ?

His first response : “What do you mean, funny ?! You think $10,000 is funny ?!”

His second response : “Here's the thing : It's not a slam on The Terminator. I love The Terminator. That part's totally true. I was thinking to myself, ‘Not since they auctioned off frames from The Little Mermaid have I wished I had more money this much. So you know what, never hurts to ask.' I loved the movies, even the later movies. I loved the mythology. I loved the TV show [The Sarah Connor Chronicles]–like, really loved. Not for pretend. And not just because of [star] Summer [Glau].

“But mostly, it's just me being a dumb-ass, because that seems to be what I do best — I'm not even very good at that. So, no, I do not think they're going to call me and say ‘Congratulations ! We'll have that $10,000 now.' Although, it would be non-exclusive. Other people could make Terminator movies and TV shows too. I'm just putting that out there in case you publish this.

“But I adore the franchise. I literally did learn a huge amount from that [franchise]. [The Terminator] came out when I was in college, and I was like, This is how you construct a story. It's very important to me. That part was true. The part where I think I'm going to get it, not so true. And certain ideas, like [bidding for] The Lord of the Rings and the Batman franchise, also possibly not true. If they will give them to me for $10,000, I absolutely would write a check. That's true. They just didn't say those [properties] were for sale. They said they were on back-order, is what I understand. It's all ridiculous, but it comes from love.”

So there you have it, but all joking aside, no matter who actually ends up controlling the rights to the Terminator, it seems like Whedon just made a savvy play to be the new creative force behind it. Would you like to see him try his hand at the franchise, or do you think there is someone better suited to it ?

Joss Whedon - About current shows - Zap2it.com Video Interview

Webmaster — 2009-09-26T10:53:31Z

Joss Whedon - 826nyc.org Audio Interview

Webmaster — 2009-09-25T11:49:51Z

Click on the link :

http://www.826nyc.org/interview/Joss_Whedon_interview.mp3

Joss Whedon - "Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible & Cabin In The Woods" - Scifiwire.com Interview

Webmaster — 2009-09-15T19:49:45Z

Big Joss news : Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible and Cabin updates

We caught up with new Emmy winner Joss Whedon on Monday night at a party for Fox's upcoming fall season, and he gave us the exclusive scoop on a possible Dr. Horrible sequel, the new season of Dollhouse and his upcoming horror movie Cabin in the Woods.

Over the summer, SCI FI Wire reported that Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment for the Fox network, said he would leave Whedon alone after Dollhouse's rocky first season. It turns out stand-alone episodes did not make the show more accessible, and once Whedon started exploring the story, the fans clamored for more. (Possible spoilers ahead !)

In the second-season premiere, Whedon furthers the mythology of Echo (Eliza Dushku) and the Dollhouse by showing her cycle through different imprints over the course of an engagement. In the climax, Paul Ballard (Tahmoh Penikett) hits Echo to trigger an imprint that will give her the fighting skills to escape a desperate situation. Later this season, Whedon regulars Alexis Denisof and Summer Glau will join the cast.

Two days after his Emmy win for Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Whedon attended Fox's annual Fall eco-party to support Dollhouse. The following Q&A features edited excerpts of our exclusive interview with Whedon in West Hollywood, Calif. Dollhouse returns Sept. 25 and will air on Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Congratulations on your Emmy win for Dr. Horrible.

Whedon : Thank you very much.

Does this affect anything for getting a sequel going ?

Whedon : Well, I would like to think that it does, but actually we've been working on one. We've been working on writing. The writers, we all have jobs, I'm happy to say.

Last we talked, you were considering doing the sequel as a feature film. Does becoming "The Emmy-winning Dr. Horrible" change things ?

Whedon : Well, the Emmy-winning Dr. Horrible was never on TV. If we were on TV, maybe we would've won an Oscar. If we're in theaters, we can win a Tony. It's very confusing. We don't understand.

captain_hammer.jpg

Is all forgiven for the "Once More With Feeling" snub [the musical episode of Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer] ?

Whedon : You know, I didn't realize that was a snub. Awards are what they are. It's extraordinary to have won it, and we're very grateful, but it's not like we were trolling for it.

How does it feel to be left alone on Dollhouse ?

Whedon : I'm afraid and I want Kevin to come back and hold me. The fact is, we definitely feel more centered about what we're doing. That doesn't mean that we're doing it completely in a vacuum. We still get notes, and sometimes they're enormously helpful, because that's what a collaboration is supposed to be like. The problem with last year was there was a question about what the show was. That doesn't exist anymore.

Now we go episode by episode, but what are we trying to accomplish ? So it's still a collaboration, but in terms of "Oh, let's try and mold this show to what we thought it was going to be," that's over. So in that sense, yes, they have left us alone.

Dollhouse_Dushku_Penikett_season2.jpg Paul (Tahmoh Penikett, right) and Echo (Eliza Dushku) fight over her new husband (guest star Jamie Bamber, left) in the season premiere "Vows," airing Sept. 25.

Did you have reservations about doing a scene where Paul really hits Echo ?

Whedon : Well, I didn't really have reservations about it, because it very quickly becomes clear that he hits her in order that she can beat the thundering s—t out of him and everybody else in the room. He's basically igniting a bomb, so it's shocking and sort of awful, but then when you see why he's doing it, there is that moment, which is my favorite, as she comes at him where he just sort of goes [makes the "bring it on" gesture], "Do it, take me, give me what I deserve."

What kind of character does Alexis Denisof play for you this time ?

Whedon : Alexis is a politician who is actually sniffing around Rossum [the corporation that runs the Dollhouse], and so he's definitely more suave than Wesley was in his early incarnation. Right now he's an earnest guy trying to do the right thing, but he's coming up against the Dollhouse, and we know how well that went for Paul Ballard.

When will we see Summer Glau ?

Whedon : You will see Summer around episode five or six. She'll be working for the team. I believe that's already out there. She'll be working for the Dollhouse team.

Kicking some ass ?

Whedon : She will not be terminating, nor will she have a trigger that turns her into a living weapon a la River, or Mellie. Knowing it was going to be Summer, or hoping it was going to be Summer, I wanted to do something that was different and plays to her strengths, but at the same time is a different character and kind of lovely. There'll be a little romance involved as well.

How is post going on Cabin in the Woods ?

Whedon : Really well. Cabin's coming along. [Director] Drew [Goddard] and I are getting very excited.

What might you show for a trailer when the whole thing is so secretive ?

Whedon : We're talking about what they're going to show, and they'll start giving up some information to get people into the theaters. We're working on that now ; should be soon.

What about Goners ?

Whedon : I wish I could say something about Goners. Universal, release Goners into the wild so it can be free again.

Joss Whedon - 2009 Comic-Con Red Carpet - Buddytv.com Video Interview

Webmaster — 2009-08-14T16:38:15Z

Ben Edlund - About Joss Whedon influence - 2009 Comic Con - Whedonage.com Video Interview

Webmaster — 2009-08-13T09:00:50Z

Click on the link :

http://comic-con.whedonage.com/interviews/ben-edlund-reveals-lessons-from-joss-whedon-supernatural-spoilers/

Joss Whedon - "Angel Would Kick The S—t Out Of Edward Cullen" - Mtv.com Video Interview

Webmaster — 2009-08-06T14:30:38Z

Click on the link :

http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2009/08/05/buffy-creator-joss-whedon-angel-would-kick-the-s-t-out-of-edward-cullen/

Joss Whedon - "Dollhouse" Tv Series - Airlockalpha.com Video Interview

Webmaster — 2009-07-31T09:32:41Z

Joss Whedon - "The Cabin in the Woods" Movie - Newsarama.com Interview

Webmaster — 2009-07-25T21:53:45Z

Joss Whedon is showing some love to comics again – this time for his upcoming horror film Cabin in the Woods.

Announced at Saturday's Dark Horse panel at San Diego Comic-Con, the Cabin in the Woods comic will come out concurrently with the movie's planned release in February 2010.

Although details about the movie have been kept under tight wraps by filmmakers of the MGM film, Whedon told Newsarama that what happens in the cabin during the film has a long history that can be explored further in the comic.

"It is definitely a horror movie, and there is a cabin. And not-great things happen in it," Whedon said. "The idea behind the comic was to explore the history and mythology and the bad things happening. It's a very old cabin. It has a rich and storied history of appalling things."

Whedon, who co-wrote the film with Drew Goddard of Lost/Cloverfield fame, said the comic will be "kind of intuitive of the old ECs, the Graham Ingels feel, the really classic, horrible tales," referring to EC Comics, the publisher that became well-known in the '50s for its horror comics. "That might provide a little insight into the film without stepping on too much."

The comic will "probably" take place before the continuity of the movie, Whedon said, again trying not to reveal too much and opening the door for stories during or after. But the writer did say the format will most likely be a series of different stories. "When we were talking about it, the thought was to do it as a series of stories, again in the EC mode," Whedon said.

Whedon, whose comics based on his Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie and TV show have been best-sellers, said that just like he had to bring in other writers to help with those comics, he'll probably do something similar for the Cabin in the Woods comic.

"I'll probably be working with other people. I have to put out the movie, and apparently some TV show as well," he joked, referring to the second season of his Fox TV show Dollhouse. "So Drew Goddard and I very much feel that they should be done right, but at the same time we also know that we can't really afford to do everything ourselves. So I'll be in it as much as I am able."

Whedon said that while many of his fans see him as a creator who likes to work in different mediums, he doesn't necessarily look for those types of opportunities.

"Actually, it's something I don't like doing. But when it works, when it makes sense, then it's cool with me," Whedon said. "But it's nothing I actively seek out. I didn't decide I want to spend my life multi-platforming. But with Cabin, it works. And with Dark Horse, it works. They actually have their own horror tradition."

Besides, Whedon said, this type of "multi-platforming" may seem like a new trend, but it's actually something that's always been around.

"I think it's been going on forever. I think it's never not been happening on some level," he said. "People were making operas out of ballets. People were making odes to Grecian urns. Everything has always found an outlet somewhere else.

"But I don't go out actively looking for new ways to tell stories. It just does seem to happen. You see TV shows made out of movies and movies made out of a TV show and comics out of TV shows out of a movie. There's a lot of crossover now. People aren't as afraid of moving from one media to another. I don't think of myself as the poster boy for it, but maybe I'm kidding myself," he said with a chuckle. "Who am I ? What's my life mean ?"

Although the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Eight series wasn't something he actively pursued, he admitted that its success influenced the decision to do the Cabin in the Woods comic.

"There's a lot of stuff that I don't touch, like novelizations or book spin-offs. I just don't have time to be a part of that. With the comic book, I wasn't doing the TV shows anymore, and Dark Horse wanted to do the comic book of Buffy, and I thought, this could be fun. This could be a fun little lark," he said.

"Now I'm so tired I can barely move. Every time I say this will be a fun little lark, it's the hardest thing I could do. Note to self : Don't use that phrase," he said with a laugh. "But it wasn't like, Oh my God, I want to tell more Buffy stories, because I was very strict with them when the show was on about not interfering with the show, and I kind of tied their hands a little bit. And Scott Allie said, 'It's been a couple years. Can we start telling real stories that are sort of canon and really take the characters further ?' And I thought, that actually sounds fun. And I just started having fun with it. I just started thinking, 'Oh, we could do this. We could do that. We could never have done that on TV.' And of course, I know their voices so well. And this just sort of ballooned into this thing that became this big comic. I didn't expect it to be that big or that hard or any of that stuff. I just thought it would be fun."

Whedon said he also thinks crossing into different mediums is something fans of genre fiction are more likely to accept and support.

"There is less of that sort of thing in other areas, although they do make a CSI comic, God help us. But it definitely happens less. You know, we're not going to see an animated Grey's Anatomy anytime soon," he laughed. "Genre stuff is fantasy stuff. And fantasy people are very comfortable in different mediums. Fantasy people just want their god-damned fantasy. And they don't care if it's a book or a comic or a movie. They just want transported. They just want out of this world. And I can respect that."

But while the writer was willing to discuss the genre market tendencies toward cross-platforms, he was unable to tell his fans anything else about the Cabin in the Woods comic because of the top-secret stance he's taken on the movie.

"I made the mistake that makes a marketer's life hell. Our movie has a plot," he said. "So, I have to live with that thing and keep my mouth shut until it's time to talk."