Joss Whedon to direct supergroup movie THE AVENGERS, the biggest superhero movie yet

Dollhouse was canceled late last year, but Joss Whedon is just getting started. The TV auteur is in final negotiations to direct The Avengers for Marvel Studios, a huge project for the comic company. Deadline Hollywood reports that Whedon has been in contention for some time (first reported by IESB). He's an interesting and somewhat risky choice for the role.

This news is huge for Whedon, whose only major movie is Serenity, a 2005 film based on his canceled TV series Firefly, which became very popular when it hit DVD. Whedon rose to fame in the late 90s after creating the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and spin-off series Angel. As of late, he seems to keep running into walls. Dollhouse, his latest TV series, was canceled last November. He also spent a long time writing a live-action screenplay for Wonder Woman, only to ultimately part ways with the studio. We do not know if he will get involved in the screenplay for The Avengers. Zak Penn is writing it.

The Avengers are a superhero supergroup of sorts, starring Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). For those out of the superhero loop, each of these characters is getting their own movie series as well. Thor and Captain America films are in production, and Iron Man 2 will steam into theaters May 7th. The films will serve as an introduction to the characters. Whedon has a tougher job than Bryan Singer had with X-Men. He has to take three well-known headlining superheroes and create a film worthy enough to star them all.

When a bunch of musicians from famous bands get together, they call it a supergroup. Most of these groups never make it too far, mostly due to the big egos of those involved. Lets hope Whedon can tame the beast and beat our expectations. I don't envy his job right now.