‘Cabin in the Woods’: Joss Whedon likes his actors bloody

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Chris Hemsworth, a rather recent addition to the ranks of actors who have worn superhero capes, will reprise his role as Thor next month in director Joss Whedon’s ‘The Avengers.’ But anyone eager to see the Aussie actor face a few dangers before the god of thunder returns will have plenty of opportunity with “The Cabin in the Woods.”

In addition to Hemsworth, the horror flick’s Los Angeles premiere at L.A. Live’s Regal Cinemas on Tuesday had an audience scattered with horror movie masters such as Wes Craven and the filmmakers’ past collaborators, including “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof, who worked with ‘Cabin’ director and co-writer Drew Goddard on the hit ABC show.

Whedon, who co-wrote and produced “The Cabin in the Woods,” reveled in getting his actors bloody and horrified, he told Ministry of Gossip at the movie’s premiere party, where its trailer played on the walls of downtown L.A. venue the Edison.

“What I like to do is find great actors that I love and then beat the [crap] out of them and, if possible, kill them,’ quipped the “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” creator. “That’s a good time for me, and they seem to enjoy it, ’cause they keep coming back.”

“The Cabin in the Woods,” which opens in theaters Friday, also brought together several actors who have starred in past Whedon projects, including Fran Kranz (“Dollhouse”), Amy Acker (“Dollhouse,” “Angel”) and Tom Lenk (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel”). All three will also star in Whedon’s adaptation of “Much Ado About Nothing,” which he shot at his Santa Monica home in 12 days during what was supposed to be his vacation after filming “Avengers.”

“There’s a lot more sex in mine than is normal in that particular text,” Whedon said of the new take on the Shakespeare play.

He also emphasized that it’s “a real ensemble piece,” not the two-man show it’s often taken to be.

“I’d just come off ‘Avengers,’ and people said, ‘This is the exact opposite,’ and I said, ‘No, this is another superhero team,’” Whedon said.

The superhero team of “Avengers” will assemble Wednesday night at El Capitan Theatre for the Marvel movie’s world premiere, rounding out a full schedule this week for Whedon as he prepares for the release of “Cabin” in the tight spot between spoiling the film and not revealing enough.

“You have to tell them something,” Whedon said of the film’s marketing, which is pushing the tagline “Discover the Secret” and gives audiences a peek at what’s really going on with this creepy cabin. Just what that secret is will have to be found by purchasing a ticket to the movie, but Whedon hopes fans know ahead of time that “this is more than just a horror movie.”

“Cabin in the Woods,” Goddard’s directorial debut, also stars Jesse Williams, Kristen Connolly, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford. The film opens, fittingly, this Friday the 13th.

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–- Emily Rome