Rah rah rah! Yay sketchy translations!

That’s how I feel today, this day where I will be bringing you loose translations from a Japanese site (many thanks Bleeding Cool) and a Goolgle-translated Vietnamese site which, depending on the accuracy of the translation, might just be reporting something I already mentioned.

First up – Anna Kendrick. We already know that she’s on the short list for the female lead in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier,’ but depending on the accuracy of this Vietnamese quote, she might be at the top of the short list:

A source from the crew, sexy actress Anna Kendrick will be the most likely candidate. Director Anthony Russonhan said: “There are a lot of good talent, but in Anna Kendrick gently mixed features tough, especially over time, she has proven her own ability.

Can not say anything, but we do not deny hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with her in the near future … “

Yeah, “Anthony Russonhan” doesn’t give me the most trust in this Google translation, but “source from crew” would be legit, I guess.

OVERALL: No change, Kendrick’s still on the short list, she was probably at the top anyway.

Moving right along, Joss Whedon gave an interview to Japanese Gizmodo that was translated by Marvel super-geeks and I was lead to it through Bleeding Cool. In the interview, Joss outlines a bit of his involvement in Marvel Phase 2 and suggests ‘Avengers 2′ might be a smaller movie than we’re expecting.

G: It was recently announced that you’ll be directing The Avengers 2, but should we be expecting bigger events, a bigger team and a bigger villain for the next movie?

W: It would seem so. Normally you would think a sequel would be bigger, but I was thinking I’d like to do the opposite and go smaller. When I presented that idea I was asked in return “So you’re going to turn down the volume on the movie?”, but that’s not what I meant at all.

Of course new characters will be added. But having just met this wonderful cast, even I’ve just begun groping for a demonstration of what kind of synergy they have together. I’ve said that it’s important to put in not only necessarily always a large scale, but a lot of love. Movies can be on a grand scale but also more personal. I’ve already touched on that, so I don’t really need to go into it again. The issue is really just how deep can I delve in.

G: It seems as though you’ll be collaborating on filming some Marvel Comics TV series as well.

W: That’s right. I can’t talk about that right now, but if I could say one thing it would be that Marvel has brought new meaning to the entertainment industry with The Avengers. It’s not merely pride, but a particular way of thinking. It’s a very exciting thing.

G: How much will you be involved with future Marvel movies?

W: I’ll be very deeply involved. My contract is not simply to make The Avengers 2, but to consult on the entire Marvel world view. So that’s why I’m involved in TV series as well. I’m talking with Kevin [Feige] about all of the future movies that will be released. They’ll all be great movies and we’re cooperating so that they all tie into The Avengers 2.

G: So they’ll all be unified them.

W: Yes. But since they should all have their own unique franchise identities, they can’t all be the same. So we’re continually careful to not have them fall into the same pattern, and we definitely have to meet expectations. Naturally they all have to have ties back to Avengers. It’s very fun creating an integrated world, but at the same time they are each unique. When they’re all together they’ll definitely be exciting.

G: So The Avengers 2 will have elements from all of the movies and TV programs from this point on?

W: Well…[he points to the Avengers poster] they’ll all definitely be in it. Apart from that, the character conflicts will be fresh and their problems will be unique and realistic.

I know where the characters stand within each of their stories, but at the same time the Avengers series has to exist in a different place from those. People who see The Avengers should be able to see The Avengers 2 without seeing the other movies.

As for putting something from all of the other works into my movie, it would not only be inconsistent with my own plans but would also be conceited of me. No matter what the movie, you only have once chance to approach the audience with those characters.

There’s more of the interview, in English, here.