Much Ado About Nothing Trailer – Joss Whedon takes Shakespeare black and white

Most people who were busy putting together such a massive movie as The Avengers would have enough on their plate, but Joss Whedon isn’t most people, as while he was still putting the finishing touches on his superhero movies, he was also shooting a micro-budget film version of Much Ado About Nothing.

That film is now on its way to cinemas, with a UK poster and release date of June 14th announced (it’ll hit the US on June 21st), as well as the first trailer debuting.

The black and white takes a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s comedy (although still with the original text), and stars many actors who’ve worked with Whedon before on his various TV shows, such as Amy Acker (Angel), Alexis Denisof (Buffy & Angel), Clark Gregg (Avengers) & Nathan Fillion (Firefly).

Here’s the synopsis: ‘Leonato (Clark Gregg – THE AVENGERS; IRON MAN), the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro (Reed Diamond – MONEYBALL; GOOD NIGHT & GOOD LUCK), who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother Don John (Sean Maher – SERENITY; TV’s FIREFLY). Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick (Alexis Denisof – THE AVENGERS; TV’s ANGEL) and Claudio (Fran Kranz – DIARY OF A WIMPY KID; TV’s DOLLHOUSE). While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato’s daughter Hero (newcomer Jillian Morgese), and Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice (Amy Acker – THE CABIN IN THE WOODS; TV’s ANGEL; DOLLHOUSE), the governor’s niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange, with Leonato, their marriage.

‘In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro, with the help of Leonato, Claudio and Hero, attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to trick the two into falling in love. Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, with the help of his allies Conrade (Riki Lindhome – MILLION DOLLAR BABY) and Borachio (Spencer Treat Clark – MYSTIC RIVER), plots against the happy couple, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins. A series of comic and tragic events may continue to keep the two couples from truly finding happiness, but then again perhaps love may prevail.’