The biggest director in Hollywood doesn't sound happy.

This weekend, Joss Whedon's film Avengers: Age of Ultron made $191.3 million domestically, and that's only a small portion of its $631 million global earnings. Within the month, the film should have no trouble passing the billion dollar mark. In terms of competition for commercial viability as a director, Whedon only has himself and James Cameron, the latter of whom is busy with however many Avatar sequels have been green-lit.

So what's Whedon upset about?

Marvel, the comic publisher turned film studio, responsible for Avengers and countless other superhero films, appears to be the culprit. On the press tour leading up to Ultron's release, Whedon made a handful of comments implying a fissure between the superhero factory and its most successful collaborator. The director has already passed on the directorial role of the two-part Avengers finale, with established Marvel movie directors Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) taking over in his stead. What's unclear is how involved Whedon will be in the future of the Marvel Universe.

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