Typically, in regards to Hollywood sequels, the mantra is "bigger is better," oftentimes to a fault. However, Joss Whedon wants to take a different route for "The Avengers 2."

Although "The Avengers" won't actually hit theaters for another two months, Marvel has already started talking about a sequel, following the further adventures of veteran superheroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).

When SFX (via Digitalspy) asked Whedon how he'll top the expected hugeness of the first film, he coyly responded, "By not trying to. By being smaller. More personal, more painful. By being the next thing that should happen to these characters, and not just a rehash of what seemed to work the first time. By having a theme that is completely fresh and organic to itself.“

For him, characters will likely take precedence over CG mayhem in part 2, adding “I want to know what makes them tick, what makes them flawed, what makes them fight – and ultimately, what makes them awesome. I go to these movies for those moments when the heroes define themselves, either through action or deliciously overwritten speeches.“

"The Avengers" opens May 4.