“[Joss Whedon’s] advocacy of woman, exhibited in his work since ‘Buffy,’ is on display in ‘The Avengers,’ with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow.
‘Joss did not want the Black Widow to be the damsel in distress or just another pretty face, or someone that was, you know, a woman that was incapable of holding her own,’ said Johansson.
‘She just throws down and sweeps the floor. And when I read it, it was just like, “Oh, thank you, Joss!”‘”
–“‘Avengers’ Director Joss Whedon: Yes, He’s a Geek.” Sunday Morning. April 29, 2012. CBS News. Web.