Joss Whedon Clears Up Big ‘Avengers 2′ Rumor

Multiple reports surfaced online earlier this week that painted a rather unflattering and concerning picture of the future of the Marvel movies. At the center was the strained negotiations between Marvel and their current roster of actors to return for 'The Avengers 2.' Would Marvel pay them the money they're asking for? Would they recast some of their major superhero roles? Director Joss Whedon posted an online response saying, "Some facts are not facts." Read what he had to say below.

Up until now, neither Marvel nor reps for Whedon or the many actors involved in contract negotiations had spoken on the record about the Hollywood Reporter and Deadline reports on 'The Avengers 2.' But last night, Whedon took to Whedonesque (a fan page devoted to his work) and posted the following missive on their message boards, looking to clarify a few things. Says Joss:

Hi guys.

I was going to let it slide, but I've got this sour taste in my mouth. (Mmmm, lemonade!). Some facts are not facts. I'm not going to go into the whole thing, but jeepers, I'm not getting $100 mil on Avengers 2. If I were, I would come on this site and laugh and laugh and laugh. I'm not making Downey money. I'm making A LOT, which is exciting. I'm not pretending to be a poor farmer, an Everyman, an ANYman. But that number is nuts. A few other things about me that have been "reported" that people should take with a grain of salt:

That I throw wild Hollywood parties where everyone is naked and dancing and wild and I remember to serve enough snacks.

That I can get a movie greenlit by sighing and staring into the middle distance.

That I ate a unicorn and made it winter for three years.

That I "can write."

Well, that's a load off. Sorry to get so personal -- the whole thing's a bit tawdry. But honestly, it bugged me. I'm off for a nice juicy steak. There's a place downtown that does it with rosemary butter, it tastes just like unico -- like a steak.

BYE-ee! J.

PHEW. He really doesn't eat unicorn.

So Whedon says he isn't getting paid $100 million for 'The Avengers 2' and his other "consulting" work with Marvel but as he notes, he's doing just fine. Presumably Whedon didn't want to speak on behalf of any of his actors who are banding together to demand a salary increase from the notoriously stingy Marvel. Whedon seems to like working at Marvel and they certainly seem to like having him there. But it's the actors - especially Robert Downey, Jr. who doesn't need 'Avengers 2' - whose relationships are more tenuous. Marvel reportedly threatened to replace Gwyneth Paltrow on multiple occasions during a contract dispute and there's no telling if any of the other actors could be on the chopping block.

Here's hoping that Whedon can broker peace between his actors (who love him) and Marvel (who also loves him). Let's all play nice cause we'd really love to see an 'Avengers 2.'