Much Ado About Nothing

Director: Joss Whedon
Cast: Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Fran Kranz, Jillian Morgese, Sean Maher, Reed Diamond, Clark Gregg, Tom Lenk

After directing Marvel’s The Avengers, Joss Whedon could have made any movie he wanted – and that’s exactly what he did. Instead of diving head-first into another big-budget, special effects blockbuster, Whedon decided to shoot a black-and-white adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Shot in 12 days at Joss Whedon’s house, this film adaptation uses the original text while putting a contemporary spin on the classic story, making extensive use of actors from the Whedon universe.

Much Ado About Nothing stars Amy Acker (Angel) as Beatrice and Alexis Denisof (Dollhouse) as Benedick, sparring lovers caught in a dark, sexy, and sometimes absurd contest of love and romance. The film also stars Fran Kranz (Cabin in the Woods) as Count Claudio and newcomer Jillian Morgese as Hero, his would-be bride.

The production for Joss Whedon‘s take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing may not have been as publicized as The Avengers, but the anticipation for the film’s release is all the same. The project virtually went unnoticed mostly because the project itself was a secret and principle photography was completed in less than a month. But just because it was a speedy shoot, doesn’t mean that the quality of the film was sacrificed. Shot in entirely black and white, Whedon’s latest directorial effort is a modern day spin on the classic Shakespeare tale that follows two unlikely lovers falling for each other.

Now we’ve got the first trailer for the film from Lionsgate. Hit the jump to see more.

For those who had not yet heard, back when director Joss Whedon was making that little superhero flick The Avengers, he also made an even smaller movie with a bunch of his Whedonverse friends in only twelve days.

The movie is Much Ado About Nothing, an adaptation of the William Shakespeare classic set in modern times. Whedon made the movie through Bellwether Pictures, a micro-studio Whedon started with Kai Cole that’s dedicated to do-it-yourself style indie narratives for all forms of media.

Now this ultra low budget film has itself a release date to plan for. You can find out when you can see it and check out a full rundown of who’s in the movie and who they’re playing below now!

The Cabin in the Woods
Directed by Drew Goddard
Written by Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon
Starring Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, Bradley Whitford, and Amy Acker
Lionsgate
Release Date: April 13, 2012

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: a group of college kids visit a remote cabin in the woods to partake in irresponsible activities such as (but not limited to) alcohol, illicit drugs, and premarital sex.

One by one, these nubile teenagers are hacked to pieces by an axe-wielding maniac in the woods (or God-forsaken summer camp).

Sound familiar? It should. You’ve seen this genre convention in horror films like The Evil Dead, Friday the 13th, Cabin Fever, Sleepaway Camp, The Burning, and Tucker & Dale Vs Evil. The Old Dark House has become The Cabin in the Woods, a subversive, spirited deconstruction of the genre. Even the film’s title is a reference to the archetypes it celebrates and simultaneously dissects.

Though the movie was finished filming in 2009 and originally slated for release in 2010, The Cabin in the Woods is just now giving us a first official trailer.

The movie, which is written and produced by Joss Whedon and written and directed by Drew Goddard, fell victim to MGM’s major financial woes, and like many others it found itself stashed away in the attic, left to gather dust.

But thankfully for all of us, Lionsgate eventually showed up to save the day and set a new release date of April 13, 2012.

You can check out the first trailer for The Cabin in the Woods by continuing on below.