1. In October 2011, soon after wrapping filming of The Avengers, The Hollywood Reporter and various internet sites reported that Whedon had “relaxed” after completion of the massive project by shooting, at his house in Santa Clara, California, his own script of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. Featuring several veteran Whedon performers— Nathan Fillion (BtVSS, Firefly, Serenity, DHSAAB), Clark Gregg Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System

2. (Marvel’s The Avengers), Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse), Sean Maher (Firefly, Serenity), Fran Kranz (Dollhouse, The Cabin in the Woods), Reed Diamond (Dollhouse), Tom Lenk (BtVSS, Angel, The Cabin in the Woods)—Much, we learned, would be released by “Bellwether Pictures,” a new “micro studio”... Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System

3. ... a new “micro studio” Whedon had established with his wife Kai Cole as co-head. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System

4. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System

5. The chosen name, like most of Whedon’s use of language, is both intriguing and revealing. According to Dictionary.com a “bellwether” is 1. a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell. 2. a person or thing that assumes the leadership or forefront, as of a profession or industry: Paris is a bellwether of the fashion industry. 3. a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System

6. 4. a person who leads a mob, mutiny, conspiracy, or the like; ringleader. But from The World English Dictionary, we also learn that a “bellwether” may likewise be understood as “a leader, esp one followed unquestioningly.” A good word, is it not, for a Joss Whedon enterprise? Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System

7. At the time of writing, Much Ado’s wide release (in June 2013) is still months away, but those who had the opportunity to screen it at the Toronto International Film Festival praised what they saw. Writing in The Guardian, Catherine Shoard would praise Whedon’s “coup... in simply directing a very good version of the play” with “a keen ear for comedy, a no-nonsense approach to ditching the gags that don't work, a deft hand for Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon at the Toronto International Film Festival Premiere of Much Ado About Nothing

8. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Benedick (Alexis Denisoff) and Beatrice (Amy Acker)

9. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Beatrice (Amy Acker)

10. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Verges (Tom Lenk) and Dogberry (Nathan Fillion)

11. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Claudio (Fran Kranz)

12. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Leonato (Clark Gregg) and Claudio (Fran Kranz)

13. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Beatrice (Amy Acker) and Hero (Jillian Morgese)

14. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Don John (Sean Maher) and Don Pedro (Reed Diamond)

15. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Don John (Sean Maher)

16. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

17. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

18. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

19. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

20. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

21. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

22. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

23. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System Whedon’s House

24. Special Topics in Film Studies: Joss Whedon Working Outside the System xxxxxxxxxxxxWhedon’s House