Avengers: Age of Ultron – Joss Whedon and the stars on out-doing the first

In 2012, The Avengers opened to critical acclaim setting the all-time domestic box office record for a three day weekend at $207.4 million, going on to gross over $1.5 billion worldwide.

Now the saga continues with Avengers: Age of Ultron, written and directed by Joss Whedon, which opens on May 1st 2015 and has already opened in UK.

In the sequel, the dream team, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must reassemble to stop Ultron (James Spader), a terrifying technological villain determined to destroy humanity.

Joss, how do you go about creating a sequel to one of the most successful movies of all time?

Joss Whedon: With the smallest thing I can think of. The thing that drew me back to the movie was: what little moments are there between these characters that I haven’t gotten to do yet? What conversations have they not had? What haven’t I shown?

It’s never the big picture stuff, it’s never ‘and then we can have an army of robots’ – although that’s cool too – it’s always just: where do they live, or how can I get inside their hearts, what’s funny about them? Those are the moments.

I write reams and reams of paper just thinking about the tiniest part, that’s really the heart of the thing.

Robert, what was it about Joss’ script that impressed you?

Robert Downey Jr: What I loved about this script was the further development of the complexities of the relationship between all The Avengers.

I loved that Thor has a beef with me and then eventually has to give in and say I’m right.

It’s interesting and the way it all wraps up to me is super exiting, but strangely my favorite part about Avengers: Age of Ultron is what is brought into potential by the story in the film.

Chris Hemsworth, growing up, who was your favorite superhero, and why?

Chris Hemsworth: Superman was probably the only film they’d made, I think, back when I was growing up. That was the one that sticks out for me. Iron Man hadn’t been created yet, or Captain America, or Hulk, or Black Widow.

Chris Evans: So had Captain America been –

Chris Hemsworth: It would have been my favorite, that and Captain Australia. Sort of neck and neck.

Chris Evans: Gotcha.

Chris Evans, can you talk about how Captain America becomes the leader of the Avengers team in this?

Chris Evans: I think he’s certainly giving the orders, but it’s not the sort of hierarchy where he gives commands and the people have to do it.

It’s truly in the sense of when the battle breaks out and we need structure, Captain America has no problem organizing a team approach.

In terms of how they behave when we’re not fighting a foe, there still is a loose chain of command and no one is technically in charge, but Cap certainly does lean towards the side of hierarchy and structure, which is why he feels most comfortable on the battlefield.

Mark, were you surprised by the fans reaction to Bruce Banner and the Hulk?

Mark Ruffalo: I was completely caught off guard by how much people responded to Hulk and Banner.

It’s a tough nut to crack and some really great people have had a chance at it, so I concluded at best I’ll stay with the group and I won’t embarrass myself and my fellow actors.

So I just approached it like everything else and tried to come up with a game plan and stick to it and do the best I can and hope that somebody responds to it.

I was thrilled to see the outcome and how the fans responded.

Avengers: Age of Ultron – Soundbytes

Scarlett Johansson was asked about riding the motorcycle in the movie?

Hawkeye is featured more in this movie, and Jeremy Renner was asked about his expanded role.

James Spader was asked about doing the motion capture work to bring Ultron to life?

Click on the tracks below to hear their answers….