Delivering the epitome of the summer blockbuster popcorn flick with The Avengers, Joss Whedon could have done just about anything he desired considering the massive, record-breaking success of that Marvel superhero tentpole. So how will its director follow it up? By shooting a micro-budget, black-and-white Shakespearean drama that only took 12 days to shoot.

After premiering to favorable reviews at Toronto International Film Festival this fall, we’ve now got the first promising trailer for Much Ado About Nothing, which sees Whedon back with his Avengers star Clark Gregg and The Cabin in the Woods leads Fran Kranz and Amy Acker, along with many other frequent collaborators, most notably, Firefly’s Nathan Fillion.

Whedon previously said this is a “love letter, to the text, to the cast, even to the house it’s shot in. All [involved are] dedicated to the idea that this story bears retelling, that this dialogue is as fresh and intoxicating as any being written, and that the joy of working on a passion project surrounded by dear friends, admired colleagues and an atmosphere of unabashed rapture far outweighs their hilariously miniature paychecks.”  Check out the trailer below for the film also starring Alexis Denisof, Jillian Morgese, Sean Maher and Reed Diamond.

Synopsis:

Leonato, the governor of Messina, is visited by his friend Don Pedro who is returning from a victorious campaign against his rebellious brother Don John. Accompanying Don Pedro are two of his officers: Benedick and Claudio. While in Messina, Claudio falls for Leonato’s daughter Hero, while Benedick verbally spars with Beatrice, the governor’s niece. The budding love between Claudio and Hero prompts Don Pedro to arrange with Leonato for a marriage.

In the days leading up to the ceremony, Don Pedro, with the help of Leonato, Claudio and Hero, attempts to sport with Benedick and Beatrice in an effort to trick the two into falling in love. Meanwhile, the villainous Don John, with the help of his allies: Conrade and Borachio, plots against the happy couple, using his own form of trickery to try to destroy the marriage before it begins.

A series of comic and tragic events continue to keep the two couples from truly finding happiness, but then again perhaps love may prevail.

Much Ado About Nothing opens on June 7th, 2013.