Preview of Joss Whedon's 'Much Ado About Nothing' - vampires not included

He is famed for creating Buffy the Vampire Slayer, co-wrote the first Toy Story, recently directed The Avengers and now Joss Whedon has turned his hands to Shakespeare. Is there anything the screenwriter, producer, director doesn’t do?

Much Ado About Nothing is his latest film, shot in under 12 days in 2011 between rapping filming on The Avengers and going into the editing room for the director’s cut.

The film is being dubbed an “indie” Shakespeare film, having been shot entirely at Whedon’s own home with close friends on a tiny budget.

The director’s take on Much Ado About Nothing stays faithful to Shakespeare’s original text, offering a “dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game we call love.”

The film features stars from Whedon’s former creations. Alexis Denisof from The Avengers and TV series Angel plays Benedick, with Amy Acker from Dollhouse and Angel starring as his love-tease Beatrice.

Much Ado About Nothing has already had a special presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival 2012 and was selected as the closing night film for the Glasgow Film Festival 2013.

Much Ado About Nothing is released in the UK and Ireland on 14 June.