Much Ado About Nothing (2012 film)

Much Ado About Nothing
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Joss Whedon
Produced by	Joss Whedon Kai Cole
Screenplay by	Joss Whedon
Based on	Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare
Starring	Amy Acker Alexis Denisof Reed Diamond Nathan Fillion Clark Gregg Fran Kranz Sean Maher Jillian Morgese
Music by	Joss Whedon
Cinematography	Jay Hunter
Edited by	Daniel Kaminsky Joss Whedon
Production company	Bellwether Pictures
Distributed by	Lionsgate Roadside Attractions
Release date	September 8, 2012 (2012-09-08) (TIFF) June 21, 2013 (2013-06-21) (United States)
Running time	108 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Early Modern English
Box office	$5.3 million

Much Ado About Nothing is a 2012 black and white American romantic comedy film adapted for the screen, produced, and directed by Joss Whedon, from William Shakespeare's play of the same name. The film stars Amy Acker, Alexis Denisof, Nathan Fillion, Clark Gregg, Reed Diamond, Fran Kranz, Sean Maher, and Jillian Morgese.

To create the film, director Whedon established the production studio Bellwether Pictures. The film premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and had its North American theatrical release on June 21, 2013.

The plot of the film is largely unchanged from that of Shakespeare's original play. Differences include the modern-day setting, switching Conrade's gender, eliminating several minor roles and consolidating others into Leonato's aide, and expanding Ursula's role by giving her a number of Margaret's scenes. In addition, the film attempts to add background to the relationship between Beatrice and Benedick by showing, in an opening scene, a morning after they apparently slept together. Benedick steals away quietly while Beatrice pretends to be asleep.

Anthony Head was originally intended for the role of Leonato, but was unavailable. Clark Gregg had worked with Whedon on The Avengers at the time, and stepped in to play the part. Most of the cast had worked with Whedon before; Acker and Denisof on Angel; Denisof, Fillion, Lenk and Lindhome on Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Fillion and Maher on Firefly; Acker, Denisof, Diamond, Kranz and Johnson on Dollhouse; Gregg, Denisof, Rosemont, Johnson and Morgese in The Avengers.