Twelve days. That’s how long it took director Joss Whedon to film his modern take on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, shot on a break while completing Marvel’s The Avengers. Whedon and his wife, Kai Cole, invited friends and colleagues—including familiar faces from his TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel—to their LA home for…well, much ado about nothing. Then the Bard’s text came out, cameras rolled, Beatrice and Benedick bantered, Claudio poured a drink, and a new classic was born. Much Ado About Nothing opens this year’s Seattle International Film Festival, with Whedon and cast members Alexis Denisof, Amy Acker, Nathan Fillion, and Clark Gregg scheduled to attend the red-carpet event at McCaw Hall. Tickets for the opening night gala are on sale now at siff.net.

Seattle International Film Festival
May 16–June 9, various venues, siff.net