Editing Joss Whedon (section)

==Accusations of workplace harassment==
In July 2020, ''Justice League'' actor [[Ray Fisher (actor)|Ray Fisher]] accused Whedon of showing "gross, abusive, unprofessional, and completely unacceptable" behavior toward the cast and crew of the film,<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Adam B.|last=Vary|date=July 1, 2020|title=Ray Fisher Accuses Joss Whedon of 'Abusive, Unprofessional' Behavior on 'Justice League' Set|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ray-fisher-joss-whedon-justice-league-1234695831/|access-date=July 26, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326234251/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ray-fisher-joss-whedon-justice-league-1234695831/|url-status=live}}</ref> going so far as to invite Whedon to sue him for [[slander]] if he believed the allegations were untrue.<ref>{{cite web|first=Adam B.|last=Vary|date=July 25, 2020|title=Ray Fisher to Joss Whedon: 'Sue Me for Slander' if 'Justice League' Abuse Allegations Are Untrue|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ray-fisher-joss-whedon-justice-league-process-1234716620/|access-date=July 26, 2020|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=July 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725232926/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ray-fisher-joss-whedon-justice-league-process-1234716620/|url-status=live}}</ref> A virtual panel for the 2020 at-home [[San Diego Comic-Con]] focusing on Whedon's work was cancelled following Fisher's statements.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jennifer|last=Maas|date=July 24, 2020|title=Joss Whedon's Solo Comic-Con@Home Panel Quietly Removed From Schedule|url=https://www.thewrap.com/joss-whedon-comic-con-at-home-panel-quietly-pulled-schedule/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=[[The Wrap]]}}</ref> The following month, it was reported that [[WarnerMedia]] had begun an investigation into Whedon's behavior during the production of ''Justice League''.<ref>{{cite web|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=August 20, 2020|title=WarnerMedia Investigating 'Justice League' Production Following Ray Fisher's Comments|url=https://deadline.com/2020/08/warnermedia-investigating-justice-league-production-following-ray-fishers-comments-1203019064/|access-date=August 20, 2020|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=August 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821055048/https://deadline.com/2020/08/warnermedia-investigating-justice-league-production-following-ray-fishers-comments-1203019064/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jason Momoa]] posted in support of Fisher, writing about "the shitty way [they] were treated" on ''Justice League'' reshoots and saying that "serious stuff went down".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sidhum |first1=Tonja Renée |title=Ray Fisher and Jason Momoa Claim Warner Bros. Is Using 'PR Tactics' to Distract From Work Abuse Investigation |url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/ray-fisher-and-jason-momoa-claim-warner-bros-is-using-1845077120 |website=[[The Root (magazine)|The Root]] |access-date=February 11, 2021 |date=September 16, 2020 |archive-date=February 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210216211120/https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/ray-fisher-and-jason-momoa-claim-warner-bros-is-using-1845077120 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2020, WarnerMedia announced that its investigation had concluded and that "remedial action" had been taken.<ref>{{cite web|first=Alex|last=Stedman|date=December 11, 2020|title='Justice League': WarnerMedia Says It's Concluded Investigation, 'Remedial Action' Taken|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/justice-league-investigation-warnermedia-ray-fisher-joss-whedon-1234852206/|access-date=February 10, 2021|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210215136/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/justice-league-investigation-warnermedia-ray-fisher-joss-whedon-1234852206/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Fisher also claimed that Whedon's exit from the [[HBO Max]] series ''[[The Nevers]]'' was a result of HBO parent company WarnerMedia's inquiry. He said on Twitter that "I have no intention of allowing Joss Whedon to use the old Hollywood tactic of 'exiting{{'"}} and claimed, "This is undoubtedly a result of [the investigation]."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kemp |first1=Ella |title=Joss Whedon leaves HBO series 'The Nevers' following investigation, Ray Fisher claims |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/film/joss-whedon-leaves-hbo-series-the-nevers-following-investigation-ray-fisher-claims-2827441 |website=NME |access-date=February 11, 2021 |date=November 27, 2020 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126192535/https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/film/joss-whedon-leaves-hbo-series-the-nevers-following-investigation-ray-fisher-claims-2827441 |url-status=live }}</ref> HBO had announced on November 25, 2020, that the company had "parted ways" with Whedon, and Whedon released his own statement, claiming the departure was due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Murphy|date=November 25, 2020|title=Joss Whedon Bows Out of Forthcoming HBO Series The Nevers|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/joss-whedon-exits-hbo-series-the-nevers-amid-allegations.html|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=February 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203154957/https://www.vulture.com/2020/11/joss-whedon-exits-hbo-series-the-nevers-amid-allegations.html|url-status=live}}</ref> HBO chief Casey Bloys declined to elaborate on the decision to part ways,<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Hibberd |first1=James |title=HBO boss breaks silence on Game of Thrones plans, Joss Whedon controversy, more |url=https://ew.com/tv/hbo-max-boss-breaks-silence-game-thrones-joss-whedon-controversy/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 11, 2021 |date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308122105/https://ew.com/tv/hbo-max-boss-breaks-silence-game-thrones-joss-whedon-controversy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but said HBO had received no complaints about Whedon's behavior.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Maas |first1=Jennifer |title=HBO Received 'No Complaints' About Joss Whedon Before He Exited 'The Nevers', Casey Bloys Says |url=https://www.thewrap.com/joss-whedon-the-nevers-hbo-no-complaints-exit/ |website=The Wrap |access-date=February 11, 2021 |date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413043523/https://www.thewrap.com/joss-whedon-the-nevers-hbo-no-complaints-exit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Nonetheless, in what Bloys acknowledged was an unusual step, Whedon's name has not been used in marketing for the series,<ref name="cbr.com">{{cite web|last1=Schaefer|first1=Sandy|date=February 11, 2021|title=Joss Whedon Scrubbed From The Nevers Marketing as Buffy Cast Speaks Out|url=https://www.cbr.com/hbo-joss-whedon-scrubbed-from-the-nevers/|access-date=February 11, 2021|website=CBR|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211235004/https://www.cbr.com/hbo-joss-whedon-scrubbed-from-the-nevers/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hollywoodreporter.com">{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Leslie|date=February 10, 2021|title=HBO and HBO Max Chief Details 'Game of Thrones' Expansion Plans|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-and-hbo-max-chief-details-game-of-thrones-expansion-plans|access-date=February 11, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211152133/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/hbo-and-hbo-max-chief-details-game-of-thrones-expansion-plans|url-status=live}}</ref> though he remained credited in the series itself.

[[Gal Gadot]] told the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' in December 2020 that her experience with Whedon had not been "the best" but that she had taken it "to the higher-ups and they took care of it".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kelley |first1=Sonaiya |title=Gal Gadot knows this year was rough. She hopes 'Wonder Woman 1984' will end it on a high |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-12-17/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-1984 |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 11, 2021 |date=December 17, 2020 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213035938/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-12-17/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-1984 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Grace Randolph]] later reported that Whedon had asked Gadot to film a sexually charged scene in ''Justice League'', but that Gadot had refused and a body double was used in her place.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Daniel |first1=Katherine |title=Did Gal Gadot Refuse to Shoot a Sexulized Scene in 'Justice League'? |url=https://hers-magazine.com/did-gal-gadot-refuse-to-shoot-a-sexulized-scene-in-justice-league/ |website=Hers Magazine |access-date=February 11, 2021 |date=July 11, 2020 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114153042/https://hers-magazine.com/did-gal-gadot-refuse-to-shoot-a-sexulized-scene-in-justice-league/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Gal Gadot refused to film a sexualised scene in 'Justice League'; director Joss Whedon insisted and used a body double instead | website=WION | date=July 9, 2020 | url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gal-gadot-refused-to-film-a-sexualised-scene-in-justice-league-director-joss-whedon-insisted-and-used-a-body-double-instead-311826 | access-date=February 12, 2021 | archive-date=April 8, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408211849/https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/gal-gadot-refused-to-film-a-sexualised-scene-in-justice-league-director-joss-whedon-insisted-and-used-a-body-double-instead-311826 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In February 2021, ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' and ''[[Angel (1999 TV series)|Angel]]'' actress [[Charisma Carpenter]] alleged that Whedon had "abused his power on numerous occasions", calling him a "vampire" and "casually cruel". In a tweeted statement, Carpenter said that Whedon had called her "fat" and asked her "if [she] was going to keep it" upon learning of her pregnancy, mocked her religious faith, and repeatedly threatened to fire her, which he ultimately did. Carpenter also revealed that she had participated in WarnerMedia's ''Justice League'' investigation.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Adam B.|last=Vary|date=February 10, 2021|title=Charisma Carpenter Alleges Joss Whedon 'Abused His Power' on 'Buffy' and 'Angel': 'Joss Was the Vampire'|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/charisma-carpenter-joss-whedon-abuse-of-power-allegations-1234904995/|access-date=February 10, 2021|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

''Buffy'' co-stars [[Amber Benson]] and [[Michelle Trachtenberg]] corroborated Carpenter's allegations. On social media, Benson wrote: "''Buffy'' was a toxic environment and it starts at the top. [Carpenter] is speaking truth". Trachtenberg wrote that "we know what he did" and alleged that his behavior toward her when she was a teenager was, "Very. Not. Appropriate." Trachtenberg later stated on social media that there was a rule on set preventing Whedon from being in a room alone with her.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 12, 2021|title=Joss Whedon Was Forbidden from Being Alone with Michelle Trachtenberg on the Buffy Set|url=https://www.cbr.com/joss-whedon-buffy-forbidden-alone-with-michelle-trachtenberg/|access-date=February 12, 2021|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|language=en-US|archive-date=February 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212020617/https://www.cbr.com/joss-whedon-buffy-forbidden-alone-with-michelle-trachtenberg/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Buffy'' star [[Sarah Michelle Gellar]] also lent her support and distanced herself from Whedon.<ref>{{cite web|first=Dominic|last=Patten|date=February 10, 2021|title='Buffy' Star Sarah Michelle Gellar Pushes Away From Joss Whedon, Stands 'With All Survivors Of Abuse'; Follows Co-Star Charisma Carpenter's Claims Series Creator Was Abusive|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/sarah-michelle-gellar-abuse-claims-response-charisma-carpenter-joss-whedon-buffy-1234691481/|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Mira|last=Jacobs|date=February 10, 2021|title=Buffy's Michelle Trachtenberg Also Alleges Joss Whedon's Inappropriate Behavior|url=https://www.cbr.com/michelle-trachtenberg-buffy-joss-whedon-accusation/|access-date=February 10, 2021|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210215716/https://www.cbr.com/michelle-trachtenberg-buffy-joss-whedon-accusation/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jose Molina (writer)|Jose Molina]], a writer on ''[[Firefly (TV series)|Firefly]]'', also spoke out against Whedon's behavior saying that "casually cruel" was a "perfect" description and that "He thought being mean was funny. Making female writers cry during a notes session was especially hysterical. He actually liked to boast about the time he made one writer cry twice in one meeting."<ref>{{cite web|first=Bruce|last=Haring|date=February 12, 2021|title=More Voices Speak Out Against 'Buffy' Producer Joss Whedon's Conduct|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/more-speak-out-against-buffy-producer-joss-whedon-1234693460/|access-date=February 13, 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|archive-date=February 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213042052/https://deadline.com/2021/02/more-speak-out-against-buffy-producer-joss-whedon-1234693460/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other ''Buffy'' and ''Angel'' costars voiced their support for the alleged victims including [[David Boreanaz]], [[James Marsters]], [[Anthony Stewart Head]], [[Eliza Dushku]], [[J. August Richards]], and [[Amy Acker]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/tv/buffy-angel-stars-support-charisma-carpenter-claims-against-joss-whedon/ |title=Buffy and Angel stars speak out in support of Charisma Carpenter's claims against Joss Whedon |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Klnane |first=Ruth |date=February 15, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813053953/https://ew.com/tv/buffy-angel-stars-support-charisma-carpenter-claims-against-joss-whedon/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/AmyAcker/status/1361367185415802880 |title=I will always be proud of the work we all did on Angel |number=1361367185415802880 |user=AmyAcker |date=February 15, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/jaugustrichards/status/1360052253546090497 |title=Sending you my love, @allcharisma. |number=1360052253546090497 |user=jaugustrichards |date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=July 29, 2021}}</ref> Marsters said, however, that he thought that Whedon's intensity toward the ''Buffy'' cast was because "he put an enormous amount of pressure on himself ... trying to accomplish something that was a very high bar".<ref name="insideofyou20210922">{{Cite podcast |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hynZ2j9M9IE |title=Was JAMES MARSTERS Aware of the JOSS WHEDON Toxic Workplace on BUFFY?!? |website=Inside of You |publisher=YouTube |last=Rosenbaum |first=Michael |date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-date=April 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428185803/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hynZ2j9M9IE |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2021, in light of Fisher's accusations, Gadot told ''The Hollywood Reporter'' that "I had my issues with Whedon and Warner Bros handled it in a timely manner."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Justice League Star Gal Gadot Breaks Silence on Issues With Joss Whedon|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/justice-league-gal-gadot-joss-whedon-statement-ray-fisher/|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=DC|date=April 8, 2021|language=en|archive-date=April 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408162729/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/justice-league-gal-gadot-joss-whedon-statement-ray-fisher/|url-status=live}}</ref> A knowledgeable source stated that Gadot "had multiple concerns with the revised version of the film, including issues about her character being more aggressive than her character in ''[[Wonder Woman (2017 film)|Wonder Woman]]''. She wanted to make the character flow from one movie to the next,{{'"}} the report said. "The biggest clash, sources say, came when Whedon pushed Gadot to record lines she didn't like, threatened to harm Gadot's career and disparaged ''Wonder Woman'' director [[Patty Jenkins]]."<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 6, 2021|title=Ray Fisher Opens Up About 'Justice League,' Joss Whedon and Warners: 'I Don't Believe Some of These People Are Fit for Leadership'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/ray-fisher-opens-up-about-justice-league-joss-whedon-and-warners-i-dont-believe-some-of-these-people-are-fit-for-leadership|access-date=April 8, 2021|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423102246/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/ray-fisher-opens-up-about-justice-league-joss-whedon-and-warners-i-dont-believe-some-of-these-people-are-fit-for-leadership|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, Gadot added that Whedon "threatened" her career during the reshoots, saying, "if I did something, he would make my career miserable and I just took care of it instead."<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=May 9, 2021|title=Gal Gadot confirms Joss Whedon 'threatened' her career during Justice League reshoot|url=https://ew.com/movies/gal-gadot-confirms-joss-whedon-threatened-career-justice-league/|access-date=May 10, 2021|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=en}}</ref> In October of that year, Gadot went on to say that she was "shocked" by the way Whedon spoke to her, adding, "You're dizzy because you can't believe this was just said to you. And if he says it to me, then obviously he says it to many other people."<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 18, 2021|title=Gal Gadot Says She Was 'Shocked' by the Way Joss Whedon Spoke to Her on 'Justice League' Set|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/gal-gadot-joss-whedon-shocked-1234858052/|access-date=December 20, 2021|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019034934/https://deadline.com/2021/10/gal-gadot-joss-whedon-shocked-1234858052/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2022, Whedon claimed Gadot "misunderstood" him due to English not being her first language and called Fisher a "bad actor in both senses". He also said he had never worked with "a ruder group of people" than the rest of the ''Justice League'' cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/joss-whedon-allegations.html|url-access=limited|title=The Undoing of Joss Whedon|date=January 17, 2022|first=Lila|last=Shapiro|website=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]|access-date=January 18, 2022|archive-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412004306/https://www.vulture.com/article/joss-whedon-allegations.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Gadot responded to this by stating that she "understood perfectly" and would not work with Whedon again in the future.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/gal-gadot-vows-never-work-joss-whedon/|title=Gal Gadot Vows to Never Work with Joss Whedon Again|date=January 18, 2022|website=MovieWeb|access-date=January 19, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119030423/https://movieweb.com/gal-gadot-vows-never-work-joss-whedon/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2023, screenwriter [[Zak Penn]] wrote in the book ''MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios'' that during the process of writing the script for ''[[The Avengers (2012 film)|The Avengers]]'' and finding a director for the project, "All the other directors we had been talking about, Joss wasn't on the list. I heard he was going to rewrite the script himself. He didn't even want to meet with me – which, by the way, I always call the writer I'm replacing. I feel like that's courtesy." When Penn reached out to Whedon personally, "He said to me, 'No, it's not awkward for me. I'm rewriting you.' It became pretty apparent that he had less than zero interest in, in any way, having me involved with the movie." Penn also called Whedon, "a d*ck" as well as "a bad person."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/zak-whedon-on-joss-whedon-the-avengers/|title=Joss Whedon Put on Blast by Original Writer for The Avengers: 'He's a Bad Person'|date=October 23, 2023|website=CBR|access-date=October 26, 2023|archive-date=January 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119030448/https://www.cbr.com/zak-whedon-on-joss-whedon-the-avengers/|url-status=live}}</ref>