How ‘The Avengers’ and ‘Buffy’ filmmaker spent a million dollars of his own money to battle Trump.
I would say to the people who have given up, you need one day of hope.
I dont want to scold people.
Credit: (SaveTheDay.Vote/Mike Windle/Getty Images)
I give a shot to keep it light, says the creator ofBuffy the Vampire Slayerand director of MarvelsAvengersmovies.
Whedon has made no secret of his support in this race: Hes with her.
Trumps running mate isnt Mike Pence its apathy.
Its cynicism, Whedon says.
I cant convince the people who are voting for Trump not to.
Every couple of years the people speak and the government has to listen, he adds.
The people who arent going to bother to do that are how somebody like Trump can overtake a nation.
I never ask for favors, but, okay, this is when my shyness is no longer relevant.
There was nobody I didnt ask, and everybody I could reach said yes.
Its attacking Trump, but talking about the national mood.
The unifying thing is important for me.
Im trying to put people in other peoples shoes.
Its part of the Republican nominees appeal, like it or not.
I think people know, he says.
Whedon says its important not to just disregard Trump voters theyve been manipulated.
These people [supporting Trump] have been fed a diet of anger and race-baiting.
And suddenly everybody is wondering why people are speaking this language out loud.
I had that voice in mind and said Jesse … would you…?
the director says, his words small and quavering.
He said, Sure!
I was genuinely intimidated.
He tweaked a line or two and we were good to go.
His only stipulation was, Let me do the funny one too, okay?
FRAUD SQUAD
This mock cop show is aimed at dispelling lies being spread about massive election rigging.
This was before [Trump] was basically recruiting brown shirts as poll watchers.
He has to say, See what I did there?
The message is simple: there is strength in numbers, and weakness in isolation.
There are more of us than there are of them.
Thats what voting is, Whedon says.
Its when the community stands up together for something.
LEONARD
Whedons magnum opus.
Its my magnum opus.
Trump disgusts me, but hes part of something bigger than he is thats been fostered by these guys.
These are the people who are really deadly, because they are respected.
All of the humor is in the metaphor is because what these people are doing is insane.
Shutting down the government.
Thats completely bonkers to me, Whedon says.
These guys have been getting away with murder and we have a chance to stop that, he adds.
And that destroys democracy.
Thats where I get angry, he says.
And luckily, thats where I get Chris Pine.
Agents worked hard to track him down and see if he would do it.
Id never met him, when he came in that day.
And he crushed it in a mighty fist, so hard.
You have to come in and say, I get it.
I know Im old, and youre young, and Im going to sound stupid to you.
Theres also aSpanish-language version.
It was important for me to find some veracity so I didnt look like a tourist or pandering.
Honestly, its just about people doing their best, and how hard theyre working.
Thats the immigration story.
Ive seen celebrities who are blowhards and like to hear themselves talk and hes the exact opposite.
The ones like Martin or Mark Ruffalo, you hear them speak, and then you see them listen.
Thats a lost art.
Its an actor named Dan Mersh who happens to be an old friend, Whedon says.
He has a good combination of Im sort of despicable, yet kind of sweet.
I had just started Save the Day and was going to Europe to research a screenplay.
But after shooting with Mersh, Whedon realized … it could have been shot anywhere.
I said, We have to get outside!
We need to prove were in England, he says.
QUIET
Theres no dialogue, just the incessant voice of Trump from news broadcasts in the background.
Its okay to stay out of the fray as long as you stand up when it really counts.
Get through the day and make it to the polls, Whedon says.
Then you get the power.
Then you save the day.
Whedon wasnt sure what Downey would say when he asked him to participate.
I was surprised when he said yes, which he did right away, the director says.
Hes not interested in being particularly partisan, but he cares, he gets it.
So I was like, yes, I cant argue with that.
And also: Its time.
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