Avengers director Joss Whedon quits Twitter

[Radael]

Source: BBC

Director Joss Whedon has deleted his Twitter account, following criticism of his latest film, Age of Ultron.
Its portrayal of female characters such as assassin Black Widow by Scarlett Johannsson had been called sexist.
Comic-book fans had also criticised Marvel's Avengers superhero film's plot, on the social network.
Immediately prior to deleting his account, Whedon tweeted: "Thank you to all the people who've been so kind and funny and inspiring up in here".

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32591260

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Good. This is another victory for feminism. Those who do not take us seriously should think about it twice.
Good riddance, Whedon.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. Spoke to my oldest son who saw it and said he was disappointed, dont recall why

Just not as engaging and exciting as what he expected, I Think

[Radael]

2. 8.2 out of 10

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395427/

[OnlinePoker]

5. 75% fresh - critic score, 90% liked - audience score

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/avengers_age_of_ultron/

[underpants]

6. I saw it this weekend. Good but slow in spots. Don't understand the sexism complaints

Big opening - villains revealed - slow point - small fight - big fight -slow point - big (bit convoluted) finish.

A good movie but they tried to go in several different directions. The highlight for me was who did the voice for the main villain and the fact that Whedon melded the actual actors facial and head movements to look exactly like the actor's characteristics.

I didn't get the sexist part. I thought Scarlett Johanson's part was both sweet and portrayed a strong woman who refused to stay out of the fight.

[Robbins]

3. On RT

It has 75% fresh compared to 92% the first avengers got.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/avengers_age_of_ultron/

[navarth]

4. Was he also the writer?

The reason I ask is because I find the whole story confusing, given what strong female characters he wrote in Firefly, his excellent Sci Fi/Western series.

I can't speak with any authority about comic book movies or twitter, as I don't use either of them.

[paulkienitz]

7. the creator of Buffy and Firefly is sexist? how does that make sense?

Of course, this project probably had a lot more "help" from suits.

[Maedhros]

9. Yes, I am a bit confused as well. I saw Age of Ultron this weekend, and don't see the sexism. [n/t]

[snooper2]

35. I searched for it, and found this....ridiculous

Somebody obviously has WAY too much fucking time on their hands





http://feministing.com/2015/05/01/lets-talk-about-age-of-ultrons-rape-joke/

So as feminists we should probably talk about the movie’s rape joke.

The throwaway joke comes during a party early on in the movie when members of the Avengers try to lift Thor’s hammer (a longstanding theme in the comics). The scene’s obviously all about proving “manliness” – it’s not exactly subtle.

A version of this scene was released back in October in which Tony Stark says that, if he successfully lifts Thor’s hammer and therefore becomes the rightful ruler of Asgard, “I will be fair but firmly cruel.” Last week, a clip of the scene as it appears in the final movie was released. In this version, when Tony tries to lift the hammer he instead says that if he gains control of Asgard, “I will be reinstituting Prima Nocta.” Prima Nocta being the ancient (and possibly mostly mythical) right of noblemen to take the virginity of a peasant woman before she was married.

[Blue_Adept]

49. Which flew over most people's head

I found it amusing because it DOES speak to the character that Tony is and his view of the world. Someone like him would think things like that.

Making it not a part of the character means not staying true to the character.

it's like some people just want these saintly characters going around doing things. That's just not interesting. Nor is it realistic.

[Kelvin Mace]

76. I have had to explain this joke

to everyone who heard it so far, so it's arguably pretty obscure. It is also Tony Stark, who's major failing is being a dick.

[phleshdef]

81. Yea, thats part of the typical Stark "playboy from academia" character.

[haikugal]

26. Whedon is a favorite of mine and I don't get the criticism.

Maybe someone can explain it....I haven't yet seen his latest film but love all the other things he's done...

[Coventina]

30. No way is Joss Whedon sexist.

But, I think quitting Twitter is a good idea.

Twitter is for twits....

[FailureToCommunicate]

32. "Firefly" ?!? Now I'm sad again...

[Inkfreak]

34. This perfectly encapsulates my feelings, too!! LMAO!

[mainer]

8. Wise of him. Critics on Twitter can make you insane.

He should just do what he does and ignore the chatter. There will always be critics.

And FWIW, I love the Black Widow character. She kicks ass.

[Blue_Tires]

10. This is LBN?

[Comrade Grumpy]

11. Great victory? Some guy closed his Twitter account?

[uppityperson]

12. seriously, wtf?

Not LBN worthy and in no way any "victory" and I like Joss Whedon

[Blue_Adept]

17. A progressive and influential filmmaker gets shut down

Worth talking about. Maybe not LBN, but it can always be moved.

[Baclava]

13. Way to go stupid ignorant twitterheads! Joss Whedon is one of the very best.

Fuck you and fuck you and especially, fuck you!

Now we'll never get Firefly back

[eggplant]

14. Blame Marvel.

Joss Whedon isn't sexist.

[Blue_Adept]

15. Because women can never, ever be in distress or need help

That's no longer allowed apparently.

Never mind that she kicks ass throughout the bulk of the movie, has great characterization and a strong back story that provides a lot of motivation.

But she ends up getting captured at one point and thrown in a cell.

So it's sexism. A story idea that's used between both genders throughout storytelling for countless ages is now simply wrong.

People are going to focus group entertainment into such a narrow hole that it's going to be awful.

[Maedhros]

18. THAT'S the "sexism?"

Really? I guess, if you squint real hard and ignore the rest of her awesomeness...

[sarge43]

25. Indeed

With the exception of Hawkeye, all the male Avengers need super powers or a super suit. Black Widow can hold her own in a fire fight with just her brains, training and courage. If that's sexist, then I'm the next Miss America.

[Blue_Adept]

42. It was also a script adjustment due to her pregnancy

They could do only so much with her at that point in the production that they made changes to accommodate her for this aspect of it.

[Maedhros]

47. Accommodating the needs of pregnant women in the workplace is so sexist.

[underpants]

28. Oh that's it? SPOILERS

I posted above that I saw it this weekend and had no idea what the sexism part was. I guess you hit on it.

I was thinking maybe that it was that she wanted to start a relationship with Bruce Banner.

Wow

[Blue_Adept]

41. Nope. Damsel in distress scenario.

Which is now not allowed to be used.

Never mind that in the first film, Hawkeye was the "damsel in distress" for the entire picture.

[arcane1]

55. And it was Natasha who ultimately rescued him. And she closed the portal.

She's quite the bad-ass!

[samsingh]

16. unfortunate. Whedon is very talented and a great human being.

[perdita9]

19. Josh Whedon writes really strong female characters

I thought the movie was fine -- not the best I've ever seen but definitely worth the money I paid for it.

I certainly didn't expect a female superhero to stand in for a feminist icon.

[951-Riverside]

20. Whedon is another MRA pig. Good riddance.

This is his idea of a strong female character

[snooper2]

36. I think you may have a few (like everyone) others in this thread to convince of that

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

37. So when's your full meltdown coming?

I don't wanna miss it.

[Action_Patrol]

43. You've clearly no idea of his resume other than

A picture.

Ugh.

[phleshdef]

56. Oh noez!!! An attractive woman is shown in a sexy pose! Sexism!!! SEXISM!!!

[Adrahil]

72. This does not sound like an MRA to me....

http://www.dailydot.com/geek/joss-whedon-gamergate-feminism/

[Kurska]

21. Joss Whedon has been nothing but supportive of social justice

Circular firing squad.

[Taitertots]

22. LOL, you think this was a "victory".

Has feminism really fallen so far that trolling people on Twitter counts as a victory?

[Oktober]

69. Just the tumblr SJW variety...

[Nihil]

88. And the DU numpties upthread who know fuck-all about Joss Whedon.

[arcane1]

23. I admit, I didn't catch any sexism in the movie

Can you let us know what it was?

[underpants]

29. See post #15

Apparently the part where she was locked in the cell. ???

And had to be rescued by a MAN. uh she is the only female Avenger (at that point) who else would rescue her? Wonder Woman???

[arcane1]

31. I found this *spoilers*

But some of it is a bit of a stretch. Scarlett Witch didn't get any funny dialog, that sort of thing.

http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/an-open-letter-to-joss-whedon-after-watching-age-of-ultron-from-a-disappointed-feminist-fan-20150430

Some of the other items, they may have a point, but it seems a little overboard

[underpants]

38. I agree

The author must have been tracking each female character throughout the movie. For Hawkeye's wife I thought the point of that segment was to show what normal-ish life is like and a step back to get you-know-who into the movie. The wood hopping shows the difference because the Captain and a suit less Stark -- and the payoff line was funny.

[arcane1]

40. Plus, the director of these movies is pretty beholden to Marvel

More so than you'd see in other movies, definitely.

[phleshdef]

53. "Scarlett Witch didn't get any funny dialog"

That person hasn't read any comics. Scarlett Witch is anything but a comedian. She is extremely powerful to the point that she once rewrote the entire universe by uttering 3 little word. She is scary and has a dark side that she is in constant conflict with.

[arcane1]

57. Plus, she didn't have a damn thing to make jokes about in this movie.

And plenty of reasons not to be.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

65. She got thrown in a cell after doing something brave that should have killed her

And Banner being the one to come save her was the crux of the plot. He was going to leave because he didn't want to fight, only to make sure she was safe, and she forced him to turn into the Hulk.

[SunSeeker]

24. Ug. I was hoping this would be a good movie, since my 11 year old son wants me to take him to it.

I hate having him see sexist shit.

[Blue_Adept]

45. Sexist shit is everywhere.

But you'll be hard pressed to find it in here unless you want to make every little thing sexist.

The whole cast is vastly overblown and not taken into proper context.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

50. I saw it, there is nothing sexist about it

Of course, maybe I'm just an MRA pig.

Take him, he'll have fun.

[SunSeeker]

52. Nothing sexist about it?

[phleshdef]

54. To pretend there aren't male characters showing off their assets all through the movie is ludicrous.

Theres tons of shirtless scenes and the showing of muscles and such throughout all of these movies. These are all attractive actors who are in great shape and are portraying attractive comic book characters who are also in great shape. Everyone gets to show that off in these movies, males and females.

This is more of the "pretend its sexism" bullshit that gives feminism a bad name and takes away from the very real, very serious issues that women in this country face and need urgent action.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

64. Ruffalo and Hemsworth shirtless

Oh noesssssssss!!!

[SunSeeker]

71. Do they women in the movie show off their muscles too?

Or just their sexual organs (breasts, butt)?

[Adrahil]

74. Natasha is a badass in the movie n/t

[phleshdef]

78. Black Widow shows off her superior martial arts prowess in every movie they've had her in.

And in this particular movie, Scarlet Witch is dressed in such a way that it really doesn't show off anything.... and she also kicks a lot of ass, she is one of the most powerful mutants (or inhumans as it is in MCU) in the Marvel universe.

[arcane1]

58. That's not from the movie, though they have a point about that poster

The new movie's poster is a bit better:

[SunSeeker]

70. I agree. That is encouraging. nt

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

63. Boy, it sounds like you're really fighting yourself over this

First of all, that's a poster....from the first movie. It's not the movie itself or even from THIS movie.

Mind you, the meme you posted isn't even part of the OP declaring Joss Whedon a sexist pig.

Be honest, you're not taking your kid to see it, are you?

[Blue_Adept]

66. Yeah, cause marketing always represents the material

C'mon.

[Daemonaquila]

61. It's a fabulous movie.

Go see it, and don't listen to trolls.

[Adrahil]

73. I didn't see anything sexist in it....

Other than the Tony Stark line, which is in line with his bravado.

[FailureToCommunicate]

27. Umm, welcome to DU, but I'm inclined to unrec your post. Whedon has a much longer track record

and there are certainly bumps along the his way.

Let the person (artist) who is without sin cast the first stone (or tweet)

[uncleverusername]

33. I don't like some of his decisions in the MCU

But he was a pretty solid advocate for feminism and equality. To say "good riddance" is pretty dumb, imo.

[sylvanus]

39. Wait, we're still talking about a comic book movie right?

Because super hero comic books where always so good about feminist issues.

[Blue_Adept]

46. It's very different from a few years ago

There's a strong wave of creators working out there these days that are bringing a lot of positive works to the forefront.

So let's not be dismissive of them.

[Javaman]

44. Oh noses! not the twitter!

meh.

[Blue_Adept]

48. You say meh, but it has influence

When someone with the number of followers he has advocates for very positive things that WE are all for, and then having that voice silenced, it's not a good thing.

It's not "meh."

[Javaman]

75. more than half of all twitter "followers" are bots.

Just google fake twitter followers and you will get hit after hit of people who have more fake followers than real ones. And ways to generate fake followers.

I still say meh. don't feed the machine.

oh noses! not the twitter!

[phleshdef]

51. These people are idiots. Black Widow is portrayed as a strong, independent woman...

...who can kick just as much ass as the rest of the team.

And Joss Whedon is KNOWN for propping up many female characters as tough, ass kicking heroines.

Christ, has anyone not seen Firefly/Serenity? The toughest character in the entire crew is a female.

[needledriver]

60. I badly want

Black Widow, Mockingbird, and Agent May in a scene together giving some whup ass to a pack of bad guys.

[Daemonaquila]

59. A "win" for feminism? Just the opposite.

Anyone who wants to find misogyny in this movie, or Joss Whedon's work, is looking for bad excuses to complain. Whedon does some of the best female characters, and this movie is no exception. What he does NOT do, is pretend that sexism doesn't exist, or write dialogue that is NOT accurate to his time period and the prevailing attitudes. HELLO, Tony Stark, Thor, Dr. Banner, Steve Rogers, and Clint Barton are no angels. Why should Whedon pretend that they are?

Kudos to Whedon for a great job as usual. If he doesn't feel like dealing with wank on Twitter, good for him.

Signed,
An Ardent Feminist

[phleshdef]

79. Thank you. Whedon pushes strong women in just about everything he does.

[romanic]

62. The term "SJW" was made for stupid Twitter users.

Whedon is anything but sexist. "Victory" my ass.

[jamzrockz]

67. I have a question to ask

How do you know when you are being trolled. I wanna say the OP is doing some serious trolling by accusing Joss Whedon on being sexist but last time I tried to call out a troll, I got my post petitioned.

So before anyone gets all worked up about this, just consider that maybe the people doing the accusing are just trolling

[Skittles]

80. some of us just know

you can torment them and risk a hide (sometimes worth it) or put 'em on Ignore

[cyberswede]

95. You were right.

Skinner banned this troll:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=322838&sub=trans

[Oktober]

68. SJWs are so incredibly tedious...

[cyberswede]

77. What?

People who fight for social justice are tedious?

[Comrade Grumpy]

83. No, people who fight for social justice aren't tedious, but SJWs are.

http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/social-justice-warrior

About

Social Justice Warrior is a pejorative label applied to bloggers, activists and commentators who are prone to engage in lengthy and hostile debates against others on a range of issues concerning social injustice, identity politics and political correctness. In contrast to the social justice blogosphere at large, the stereotype of a social justice warrior is distinguished by the use of overzealous and self-righteous rhetorics, as well as appealing to emotions over logic.

Origin

The earliest known use of the term “social justice warrior” as a pejorative comes from the Blogspot blog Social Justice Warriors: Do Not Engage,[2] launched on November 6th, 2009, which identifies SJWs as people who “rage, mob and dox in the belief that promoting identitarianism will make a better world.”

Precursor

On September 27th, 2006, Urban Dictionary[13] user Chi Z submitted an entry for the term “Keyboard Warrior,” defining it as an Internet user who expresses their anger by writing aggressive messages online.

[cyberswede]

84. Seems like a term RW-types would use to play down those they argue with

about racism, sexism, etc.

[mwrguy]

85. it is

[azurnoir]

86. I heard it from my teenager

he was on a rant about tumblr and some of the ridiculous stuff there

[JTFrog]

94. It's an MRA favorite. n/t

[cyberswede]

97. I thought so

...and a certain average joe.

[JTFrog]

98. Lol. +1 n/t

[Oktober]

99. I differentiate between actual feminists...

... who believe in equality and not in their own victim hood as opposed to the twits such as those referenced in the OP who could find offense and a reason to hate the patriarchy in an empty cardboard box.

[cyberswede]

100. "those referenced in the OP" don't exist.

The OP was banned as a repeat troll, and Whedon has stated publicly that he wasn't driven off Twitter by feminists.

SJW is akin to "feminazi."

[Oktober]

101. Maybe to you...

Comrade Grumpy laid it out...

In this context, SJW refers to internet wackadoodles who could get offended by their own shadow and then claim victory when the noon time sun whisked it away....

[cyberswede]

103. So it's a dismissive term pointed at those one doesn't agree with.

[Oktober]

104. It's a dismissive term pointed at the stupid...

So you are kind of right in the sense that I tend to disagree with the terminally ignorant and perpetually offended.

[cyberswede]

105. There's plenty to be offended about with regard to sexism and racism.

Which things that women and POC find offensive do you find to be ignorant?

[Oktober]

106. Check with Tumblr...

... and you will get the jist of it.

You are quickly moving into the perpetually offended camp.

[cyberswede]

107. Because I'm asking questions you don't like?

Or because I believe there's plenty to be offended about with regard to racism and sexism?

[Oktober]

108. Because you are trying really really hard to be offended...

... And seem to get offended when I don't give you a reason.

Seriously, asked and answered... Move along...

[cyberswede]

109. I'm offended?

That's news to me.

Anyway, after a quick search of DU, I see who uses the term SJW here (those who haven't been banned, that is), so I think I do get the gist of its intended use.

[NuclearDem]

102. ...

[Starry Messenger]

82. I'm sure you think you're adorable.

[cyberswede]

96. ...and gone

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=322838&sub=trans

[In_The_Wind]

110. Thank you, Skinner.

and thanks for posting this, cyberswede

[sendero]

87. The stupid...

.... it burns.

[Nihil]

89. "This is another victory for feminism."? Really?

Reminiscent of "It is symbolic of our struggle against oppression" ...

[Dr. Strange]

90. Whedon talks about why he left Twitter

http://www.buzzfeed.com/adambvary/joss-whedon-on-leaving-twitter

[mainer]

92. Josh Whedon wants to "reclaim the quiet." He's right.

We'd all be a hell of a lot more productive and creative if we'd get off Twitter, Facebook, and ... yes, DU.

[Blue_Adept]

93. Because if we're not productive, we're not living.

[Snow Leopard]

91. Probably should just do a super hero

movie without female characters...oh wait, they'll complain about that too. sigh.