October 25, 2011 - 10:57pm
Much ado about Joss Whedon's secret movie
BY KELLY ETZ
Cult writer/director Joss Whedon, of the upcoming “The Avengers,” sent his adoring fans into a tizzy when it was released (on Twitter) that he has just completed a new project. In 12 days. And nobody knew anything about it.
Yep. Joss Whedon made a secret movie.
The film, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” was shot only in black and white, in Santa Monica, Calif. Shooting wrapped on Sunday, but it could be a long wait before it’s actually seen.
For the movie, Whedon pulled in stars from some of his best loved projects: Alexis Densiof, who starred in both “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Angel,” Amy Acker, who appeared in “Angel” and “Dollhouse” and of course, Nathan Fillion, who starred in Whedon’s “Firefly.” It was Fillion who actually broke the news, tweeting the link to the film’s website and a promo shot.
The film is the first from Bellwether Pictures, a new “micro-studio” founded by Whedon and his wife, Kai. While the movie isn’t Whedon’s usual offering, containing no supernatural elements whatsoever (now that would have been an interesting adaptation), it’s worth a second glance. Whedon is, arguably, a genius and really, who wouldn’t want to know what a movie filmed in 12 days looks like? It feels like a guts or glory situation. It’s either going to blow everyone’s mind or tank gloriously.
Sure, a period Shakespeare adaptation is usually a snore, despite all that unflinchingly beautiful dialogue. But once you throw it into modern times, add some talented actors, film totally in black and white and refrain from telling anybody about it till it’s finished, you’ve got yourself one must-see movie.
