Hey Iron Man fans: Want to See Joss Whedon as Head Coach of The Avengers?

I’ve had pretty much ZERO interest in The Avengers as a movie, since I’ve never been interested in those comic books. But if Joss Whedon brings them to life, I’ll be counting down the days until the movie opens with great excitement.

Here’s the Deadline report currently rocking the Internets:

I’m told Marvel Studios is in final negotiations for Buffy the Vampire Slayer series architect Joss Whedon to direct Marvel Studios’ The Avengers. That’s the fast-tracked film that would amount to an all-star team of Marvel superheros, including Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), as well as SHIELD leader Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Other signature superheros will likely be involved, but I’ve listed the actors in active superhero duty. Whedon has been rumored for this job for awhile, and is high on the fanboy wish-list.

Hmm.

I’m thrilled that Whedon is involved. I’m assuming that he’ll write the script as well as direct. If not, well… I’d rather have him writing than directing.

Some of Whedon’s film scripts have been disappointing to me. (I’ve never liked Titan A.E., and Alien Resurrection had moments, but only moments.) But when it comes to bands of heroes with combustible personality chemistry, he’s proven he can write with the best of them. Firefly remains my favorite adventure series ever televised, and his Astonishing X-Men comic books were very well written. (I’m usually bored by comic books, but those really held my attention.) He also worked on Toy Story, quite a while back.

One thing I’ve admired about Whedon’s work: You usually feel that something is really at stake. (No Buffy the Vampire Slayer pun intended.)

You care about the characters by the end, and you realize that there isn’t just a typical sense of suspense-movie peril; likable characters might actually die. Violently. Suddenly. Horribly. His fans know this, so when things turn suspenseful in his stories, well… Whedon is responsible for the torn upholstery on the edges of many seats.