Joss Whedon is a multifaceted American creator known for his work in television, film, and comics. He is best known for creating popular television series such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, Dollhouse, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and The Nevers. Whedon's work often blends genres, including supernatural drama, science fiction, and comedy, and frequently features strong female characters.
June 23, 1964: Joss Whedon's Birth
Joss Whedon was born on June 23, 1964.
1987: Whedon Graduates Wesleyan University
Joss Whedon graduated from Wesleyan University in 1987.
1989: Whedon Begins Working on Roseanne
In 1989, Joss Whedon began working as a staff writer on the sitcom Roseanne.
1990: Whedon Begins Working on Parenthood
Joss Whedon worked as a staff writer on the sitcom Parenthood starting in 1990.
1992: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Film Releases
Joss Whedon wrote the horror comedy film Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which was released in 1992.
1994: Whedon Sells Spec Script "Afterlife"
Joss Whedon sold his spec script "Afterlife" in 1994 for a substantial sum. The script explored themes of identity and consciousness that would later appear in his work on the television series "Dollhouse."
1995: Toy Story Releases
Joss Whedon co-wrote the animated film Toy Story, which was released in 1995.
1995: Joss Whedon Marries Kai Cole
Joss Whedon married architect and producer Kai Cole, co-founder of Bellwether Pictures, in 1995.
1997: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Premiere
In 1997, the supernatural drama series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, created by Joss Whedon, premiered.
1999: Angel Premieres
Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel, premiered in 1999.
1999: Hush Nominated for Emmy Award
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Hush," written by Joss Whedon, was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1999.
2000: Director Andy Tennant Eyes "Afterlife" Adaptation
In 2000, director Andy Tennant was in discussions to potentially direct and rewrite Joss Whedon's screenplay "Afterlife." However, the project did not materialize into a film.
2001: The Body & Once More, With Feeling Release
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes "The Body" and "Once More, With Feeling," written and directed by Joss Whedon, were released in 2001.
2002: Firefly Premieres
Joss Whedon's space western series Firefly premiered in 2002.
2002: The Body Nominated for Nebula Award
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "The Body" was nominated for a Nebula Award in 2002.
2003: Angel Wins Saturn Award & Waiting in the Wings Nominated for Hugo Award
Angel won a Saturn Award for Best Network TV Series and the episode "Waiting in the Wings" was nominated for a Hugo Award in 2003.
2003: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Concludes
Buffy the Vampire Slayer concluded in 2003.
2003: Chosen Nominated for Hugo Award
The Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "Chosen," written and directed by Joss Whedon, was nominated for a Hugo Award in 2003.
February 13, 2004: Angel Cancellation and Comic Book Continuation
On February 13, 2004, The WB Network announced the cancellation of "Angel" after five seasons. Joss Whedon attributed the cancellation to the show's unique identity within the network's lineup. Despite its end on television, "Angel" found new life as a comic book series, with Whedon collaborating on a canonical sixth season titled "Angel: After the Fall."
2004: Whedon Takes on Astonishing X-Men
In 2004, Joss Whedon embarked on his journey into the X-Men universe as the writer for Marvel's "Astonishing X-Men" comic book series.
2004: Angel Ends
The television series Angel ended in 2004.
2005: Whedon Announces "Goners," a Fantasy Thriller
In 2005, Joss Whedon announced his involvement in a new project, "Goners," a fantasy thriller set to be produced by Universal Pictures. This marked another foray into the genre for Whedon.
2005: Serenity Releases
Joss Whedon wrote and directed Serenity, a continuation of the Firefly series, which was released in 2005.
2005: Smile Time & Not Fade Away Nominated for Hugo Awards
The Angel episodes "Smile Time" and "Not Fade Away" were nominated for Hugo Awards in 2005.
2005: Serenity: Those Left Behind Comic Book Release
In 2005, "Serenity: Those Left Behind," a three-issue comic book series written by Joss Whedon, was released, bridging the narrative gap between the "Firefly" television series and the film "Serenity."
2005: Serenity: A Critical and Commercial Success
Released in 2005, "Serenity" earned critical praise for its script, visual effects, and thought-provoking themes, leading to a Nebula Award for Best Script.
2005: Firefly's Cancellation, Critical Acclaim, and Cult Following
In 2005, "Firefly" faced network challenges, including being aired out of order and misrepresented in its marketing. Despite critical praise, the show struggled in the ratings and was canceled by Fox. However, it gained a dedicated fan base and achieved cult status, leading to the release of the film "Serenity" and other media expansions.
2006: Serenity Wins Hugo Award
"Serenity," the film continuation of Joss Whedon's "Firefly," received critical acclaim and garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form in 2006.
2006: Whedon Discusses Inspiration Behind "Goners"
During a 2006 interview, Joss Whedon offered insights into his motivations for writing "Goners." He expressed his distaste for the "torture porn" subgenre of horror and aimed to create a film that valued its characters, positioning "Goners" as a response to prevailing trends in horror cinema.
2006: Whedon Discusses Inspiration for Strong Female Characters
In his 2006 Equality Now speech, Joss Whedon shared insights into his approach to writing female characters, citing comic book character Kitty Pryde as an early inspiration for his portrayal of strong teenage girls. He also addressed the recurring question from journalists about his focus on writing such characters, using his platform to advocate for gender representation.
2006: Whedon Addresses Gender Equality in Equality Now Speech
Joss Whedon delivered a speech at an Equality Now event in 2006, where he tackled questions about his portrayal of strong female characters and advocated for gender equality in the entertainment industry.
February 2007: Whedon Departs "Wonder Woman" Adaptation
Joss Whedon announced his departure from the "Wonder Woman" adaptation in February 2007 due to creative differences with Warner Bros. This marked a high-profile project that Whedon was attached to but did not see through to completion.
2007: Whedon Condemns Violence Against Women
In 2007, Joss Whedon publicly expressed his outrage and condemnation of violence against women in response to the murder of Du'a Khalil Aswad, using his platform to speak out against the societal attitudes that contribute to such acts.
2007: Whedon Directs The Office
In 2007, Joss Whedon ventured into the realm of workplace comedy as a guest director for two episodes of the acclaimed television series "The Office," bringing his distinctive style to the show.
2007: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog: A Creative Response to the Writer's Strike
In response to the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike, Joss Whedon embarked on a passion project, creating, co-writing, and producing the web musical "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog."
2008: Whedon Concludes Astonishing X-Men Run
After a successful run, Joss Whedon completed his work on "Astonishing X-Men" in 2008, passing the baton to writer Warren Ellis.
2008: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
The miniseries Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, created by Joss Whedon, was released in 2008.
February 2009: Astonishing X-Men's Critical Success
In February 2009, "Astonishing X-Men" #6, marking the culmination of Joss Whedon's first story arc on the comic book series, achieved significant recognition by being voted #65 in Marvel's Top 70 Comics of all time.
2009: Whedon Receives Humanism Award
Joss Whedon was awarded the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism by the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University in 2009.
2009: Dollhouse Begins
Joss Whedon's science fiction drama Dollhouse premiered in 2009.
2009: Dollhouse Explores Identity and Technology
In 2009, Joss Whedon delved into the complexities of identity, technology, and human connection with his science fiction television series "Dollhouse," exploring themes that had fascinated him for years.
2009: Whedon Considers Sequel to "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog"
Joss Whedon publicly discussed the possibility of creating a sequel to the popular musical "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" in 2009, suggesting different formats the project could take.
2009: The Cabin in the Woods Production
Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard collaborated on the horror-comedy film "The Cabin in the Woods," completing production in 2009. Whedon described the film as a "loving hate letter" to the horror genre.
2009: Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Wins Awards
"Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" garnered critical acclaim, earning Joss Whedon awards for his direction and writing. In 2009, the web musical received a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form and a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Award.
July 2010: Whedon to Write and Direct The Avengers
In July 2010, it was announced that Joss Whedon would take the helm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's ambitious crossover film, "The Avengers," as both writer and director.
2010: Dollhouse Ends
Dollhouse concluded in 2010.
2010: Whedon Directs Glee
In 2010, Joss Whedon took on a guest directing role for an episode of the popular musical television series "Glee," showcasing his versatility as a director.
August 2011: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine Begins
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine, a comic book continuation of the series, began in August 2011.
2011: The Cabin in the Woods Release
"The Cabin in the Woods," a horror-comedy film co-written and produced by Joss Whedon, was released in 2011 after facing delays.
March 2012: Whedon Reflects on Television vs. Film
In March 2012, Joss Whedon shared his perspective on the creative differences between working in television and film, acknowledging the unique challenges and rewards of each medium.
June 2012: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Deemed Most Written About Text
In June 2012, Slate identified Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the most written about popular culture text.
July 2012: Whedon Criticizes Capitalism at Comic-Con
In July 2012 at San Diego Comic-Con, Joss Whedon publicly criticized capitalism and compared America's trajectory to Tsarist Russia.
August 2012: Joss Whedon Signs Deal with Marvel for Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
In August 2012, Joss Whedon signed a deal with Marvel to develop the TV show "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." for ABC.
2012: Whedon Creates Bellwether Pictures and Releases "Much Ado About Nothing"
In 2012, Whedon founded Bellwether Pictures to create the film "Much Ado About Nothing", a black and white adaptation of Shakespeare's play.
2012: "Dr. Horrible" Sequel Put on Hold
Plans for a sequel to "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" were delayed in 2012 as Joss Whedon's commitments to Marvel Studios projects took precedence.
2012: Whedon and Cole Separate
Joss Whedon and Kai Cole separated in 2012.
2012: Whedon Endorses Obama, Compares Romney Presidency to Zombie Apocalypse
During the 2012 US presidential election, Joss Whedon endorsed Barack Obama and released a satirical video comparing a potential Mitt Romney presidency to a zombie apocalypse.
2012: The Cabin in the Woods & Much Ado About Nothing Release
Joss Whedon co-wrote and produced The Cabin in the Woods and wrote and directed Much Ado About Nothing, both released in 2012.
September 2013: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine Concludes
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Nine concluded in September 2013.
2013: Whedon's Take on Feminism Sparks Debate
At a 2013 Equality Now event, Joss Whedon sparked controversy with his analysis of the word "feminist." He argued against the suffix "-ist," suggesting it implies that believing in equality is not innate. Whedon's remarks drew criticism from some within the feminist community while others appreciated the thought-provoking nature of his comments.
2013: Whedon Discusses Workaholic Tendencies
In 2013, Joss Whedon opened up about his struggles with being a workaholic, a realization that came after completing projects like "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." amidst other commitments.
2013: Whedon Receives Honorary Doctorate
Joss Whedon received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Wesleyan University in 2013.
2013: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Premieres
The Marvel Cinematic Universe series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., created by Joss Whedon, premiered in 2013.
September 2014: Whedon's Unproduced Script "Suspension" Considered for Production
In September 2014, there were reports suggesting that Joss Whedon's unproduced screenplay, "Suspension," was being considered for production, with actor Liam Neeson potentially attached to the project.
2014: Whedon Collaborates with Artist Shawnee Kilgore
Joss Whedon collaborated with artist Shawnee Kilgore in 2014 to produce an EP.
June 2015: Whedon's Deal with Marvel Studios Expires
Joss Whedon's deal with Marvel Studios expired in June 2015.
2015: Avengers: Age of Ultron Releases
Joss Whedon wrote and directed Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in 2015.
2015: Whedon Criticizes Sexism in Hollywood
In a 2015 interview with Digital Spy, Joss Whedon criticized the entertainment industry for what he perceived as ingrained sexism and misogyny. He pointed to the success of female-led franchises like "The Hunger Games" as evidence that audiences are receptive to such stories. However, some critics challenged Whedon's own track record, particularly his portrayal of Black Widow in "Avengers: Age of Ultron."
2015: Whedon Supports Elizabeth Warren for President
In 2015, Joss Whedon publicly endorsed Elizabeth Warren for President of the United States.
2015: Whedon Announces "Twist" Comic Book at SDCC
At the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con International, Whedon announced his comic book project "Twist", about a Victorian female Batman.
January 2016: Whedon Announces Departure from Marvel
Joss Whedon announced in January 2016 that he would no longer be working with Marvel.
March 2016: Whedon Contributes to Captain America's 75th Anniversary
In March 2016, Joss Whedon contributed to the celebration of Captain America's 75th anniversary by writing a story for the milestone issue of "Captain America: Sam Wilson."
2016: Whedon's Divorce Finalized
Joss Whedon and Kai Cole finalized their divorce in 2016 after separating in 2012.
January 2017: Whedon Criticized for Tweets About Nicole Kidman, Ivanka Trump, and Paul Ryan
Joss Whedon faced backlash in January 2017 for a series of controversial tweets, including one comparing Ivanka Trump to a dog and another wishing harm upon Paul Ryan. He also received criticism for a tweet that was interpreted as mocking actress Nicole Kidman's appearance.
March 2017: Whedon to Helm "Batgirl" Film
In March 2017, it was announced that Joss Whedon would write, direct, and produce a "Batgirl" film set in the DC Extended Universe. This news generated significant buzz among fans.
April 2017: Whedon Apologizes for Tweet About Teenage Cancer Survivors
In April 2017, Joss Whedon apologized for making a critical remark about the physical appearance of teenage cancer survivors visiting Paul Ryan, then-Speaker of the House.
May 2017: Whedon Takes Over Post-Production for "Justice League"
In May 2017, Whedon took over post-production work on "Justice League", including directing additional photography and writing, resulting in a co-writing credit.
August 2017: Whedon's Ex-Wife Accuses Him of Hypocrisy and Infidelity
In August 2017, Joss Whedon's ex-wife, Kai Cole, published an essay alleging that he had engaged in multiple infidelities throughout their 15-year marriage. Cole accused Whedon of hypocrisy, claiming his public persona as a feminist contradicted his private actions. Whedon's spokesperson disputed the accuracy of some claims without providing specifics.
November 2017: "Justice League" (Theatrical Cut) Released
The theatrical cut of "Justice League" was released in November 2017.
2017: Whedon Directs Short Film "Unlocked"
Joss Whedon directed "Unlocked", a short film supporting Planned Parenthood, in 2017.
2017: Justice League Releases
Joss Whedon co-wrote and directed reshoots for Justice League, released in 2017.
2017: Kai Cole Accuses Joss Whedon of Infidelity
In 2017, Kai Cole, Joss Whedon's ex-wife, publicly accused him of infidelity and hypocrisy regarding his feminist views.
2017: Joss Whedon Joins the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In 2017, Joss Whedon became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Writer's branch.
February 2018: Whedon Exits "Batgirl" Project
In February 2018, Joss Whedon stepped down from the "Batgirl" film, citing his inability to develop a compelling story as the reason for his departure.
July 13, 2018: HBO Acquires Rights to "The Nevers"
On July 13, 2018, HBO acquired the rights to "The Nevers," a science fiction series created by Whedon.
July 2019: Production Begins on "The Nevers" in London
Production for the series began in July 2019 in London.
July 2020: Ray Fisher Accuses Whedon of Misconduct; Comic-Con Panel Cancelled
Ray Fisher publicly accused Joss Whedon of misconduct on the set of "Justice League" in July 2020, leading to the cancellation of a Whedon-focused panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
July 2020: Allegations of Toxic Workplace Against Whedon
Starting in July 2020, multiple people working on Joss Whedon's projects accused him of creating a toxic work environment.
November 25, 2020: Whedon Exits "The Nevers" Project
On November 25, 2020, HBO announced Whedon's departure from "The Nevers".
December 2020: WarnerMedia Concludes Investigation, Takes "Remedial Action"
In December 2020, WarnerMedia concluded its investigation into Whedon's conduct, stating that "remedial action" had been taken.
December 2020: Gal Gadot Addresses Issues with Whedon, Allegations Surface Regarding Filming
In December 2020, Gal Gadot revealed that she had raised concerns about Whedon's behavior to Warner Bros. executives. Reports later emerged suggesting Whedon's inappropriate requests of Gadot on set.
2020: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ends & Allegations Against Whedon Surface
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ended in 2020.
February 2021: Charisma Carpenter Alleges Abuse by Whedon
In February 2021, actress Charisma Carpenter accused Whedon of abusive behavior on the sets of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", alleging verbal abuse and threats related to her pregnancy.
February 2021: Whedon Marries Heather Horton
Joss Whedon married Canadian artist Heather Horton in February 2021.
April 2021: Gadot Reveals Whedon's Threats and Disagreements
Gadot revealed in April 2021 that Whedon had threatened her career during the "Justice League" reshoots.
2021: Release of Snyder's Cut of "Justice League" and Fan Reactions
The release of Zack Snyder's original cut of "Justice League" in 2021 led fans to dub the theatrical version the "Whedon Cut" or "Josstice League".
2021: The Nevers Premieres
The science fiction drama The Nevers, created by Joss Whedon, premiered in 2021.
January 2022: Whedon's Comments on "Justice League" Cast Spark Controversy
In January 2022, Joss Whedon made controversial statements about his experience working on the film "Justice League," particularly criticizing actors Gal Gadot and Ray Fisher. His remarks led to public responses from Gadot and further fueled existing controversies surrounding his on-set behavior.
October 2023: Zak Penn's Book Reveals Past Conflicts with Whedon
Screenwriter Zak Penn, in his October 2023 book "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios," revealed details about his experience working with Joss Whedon on "The Avengers." Penn shared how Whedon chose to rewrite the script himself and expressed a lack of interest in collaborating with him, leading to a negative professional relationship.
October 2023: "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios" Released
The publication "MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios" was released in October 2023, featuring a statement from Kevin Feige that he would not work with Whedon again.