The Avengers

This is a big year for Marvel, as the studio has two very large, very different, superhero movies coming out this summer. Crucial to the film franchises that began with 2008’s Iron Man is former Marvel Editor-in-chief and current Chief Creative Officer Joe Quesada. The man recently spoke at length about the three major films on the studio’s radar at the moment: Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger and 2012’s The Avengers. Here’s what Quesada had to say regarding Thor:

“From a visual standpoint, it’s really exciting but in the hands of Kenneth Branagh and the entire cast, it’s a pretty phenomenal take on the character. I think comic fans kind of have an idea of what this movie is going to be like but they really don’t. They’re going to be in for an experience that’s unique. I think for the people that don’t know who Thor is, even if you know the mythology, you’re not going to get, I think, what you’re going to expect. It’s going to be radical and amazing.”

Hit the jump to see what Quesada has to say about Captain America and The Avengers.

captain-america-movie-poster-imageSpeaking with Newsarama (via Comic Book Movie) at C2E2 in Chicago last week, Quesada spoke at length about a number of topics. He recently saw Joe Johnston’s director’s cut of Captain America: The First Avenger and here’s what he had to say:

“I just saw the first director’s cut of Captain America about a week and a half ago. There’s a very visual and visceral difference in the way that the movies are shot. There is a richness to both but they’re very, very different tonally. And of course cap starts out as a period piece where as Thor is more of a fantastical piece although both are grounded very much in the real world. I think fans will see it and feel it when they see it on screen. Both of these are really going to be outstanding with amazing performances, great special effects. The Marvel characters come to life and for all of us who have been reading these since we were yay high, it’s pretty astounding and an absolute thrill to sit there in theater and see these characters in 3D and flesh and blood.”

Finally, Quesada confirmed that Joss Whedon’s The Avengers has started filming. When asked if he feels that the film really is the culmination of everything that’s come before and that it’s going to top everything, Quesada responded thusly:

“Yes, I mean again, look at the cast. Just starting with the cast, it’s like a rock concert. It’s unbelievable, even in San Diego when they brought them all up on stage. You got to see all these amazing actors on stage. If you didn’t get chills up your spine, you have no pulse. Basically, get yourself a casket and go home. And then you have Joss Whedon at the wheel. I’ve seen the screenplay, it’s amazing. I’ve seen what we’re going to do. I’ve seen designs; they’re out of this world. It’s going to be the quintessential superhero movie. I hesitate to say more but we’re really, really, excited about it.”

It sounds like the guy is pumped, and rightly so. If you look at what Marvel has done in such a short amount of time, it’s pretty astounding. This whole thing started back in 2008 and now, the studio is three films in, with two more in the can ready to be released and an all-star event flick currently filming.