With Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice fresh on the screens, fans and critics alike have become divided over DC's attempt to build the foundations for their Extended Universe. As I stated in my review of the film, I quite enjoyed the story and the majority of the characters and look forward to seeing more films set in this universe, however the films flaws lie within its direction, its editing and its uneven score. This got me thinking, if future installments to the DC Extended Universe had better direction then surely better films would be produced, improving on the flaws of Dawn of Justice. So who could take the helm of future DCEU films? Well I've came up with 6 directors who, in my opinion, would be perfect for the job.
Cary Fukunaga
If you've seen the first season of True Detective then you will surely recognise this name. Cary Fukunaga is an extremely talented director with quite a small filmography ranging form the aforementioned True Detective to his Mexican crime film Sin Nombre and last years Beasts of No Nation. Fukunaga undoubtedly has a keen eye for photography, providing some truly beautiful shots in all of his work, not to mention his six minute long tracking shot from True Detective. Although his career only seems to be beginning, Fukunaga has already displayed his keen ambition and talent for the craft. Fukunaga could easily improve on the direction presented in Dawn of Justice if he were to direct a future film and in my opinion I think he is one of those directors who could manage to find the balance between style and substance.
George Miller
If you need proof that George Miller has the capability to direct a memorable action flick then look no further than last years Mad Max: Fury Road. At age 71, the Aussie director has shown that he has the talent of blending a strong plot with likeable characters into a high octane action film, and trust me the action in Fury Road is turned up to the (pun intended) max. Miller is well able to shoot complex action sequences, especially car chases, without it looking sloppy or careless. The director was once upon a time attached to direct a Justice League film entitled Justice League Mortal, a project that unfortunately never took off, however he is set to produce the upcoming Justice League Part 1 so could a directors spot also be available? Fingers crossed.
Guillermo Del Toro
The director who was responsible for bringing Hellboy to the big screen, Del Toro is a man who could act as a valuable asset for the DCEU. He has a unique visual style that incorporates beautiful production design, grotesque monsters and a combination of practical and CGI effects, something that has established him as a true auteur. As seen in his films like Hellboy and even more so Pacific Rim, Del Toro can sure as hell direct action films as well as giving them heart and depth so that we as an audience value the protagonists on the other side of the screen. Nobody makes giant robots beating the shit out of Kaiju's with ships look as cool as Del Toro does. The director was at one stage attached to direct a Justice League Dark film that would follow characters such as John Constantine and Swamp Thing but it is still uncertain whether that film is still happening or as dead as, well, Deadman. Regardless, I just wish he'd finish off the Hellboy franchise first.
Edgar Wright
The man behind films such as Hot Fuzz and Scott Pilgrim vs The World, Edgar Wright is a man who is as much about action as he is about humour and dialogue. One thing about Dawn of Justice was that it fell short of humour in comparison to Marvel, one man who could fix this is Edgar Wright. No I'm not saying turn every DC film into a comedy film, not at all, Wrights brand of humour holds a unique sense of subtlety that can easily be blended into any genre he wishes. His films are packed full of both action and wit which is probably why he was the original choice to direct Marvel's Ant-Man before leaving the project on the grounds of creative differences (some Wright-ism's can still be seen in the final film). Yes if anyone can bring a sense of humour to the DCEU then Edgar Wright is the man for the job.
Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith is not only a brilliant director, but also a man with a huge admiration for comic books. His films frequently reference different comic book universes and he even has Stan Lee cameo in his film Mallrats, it shows his true passion for them. His films range from the comedic like Clerks, to the action packed like Red State and the utterly bizzare like Tusk and he has even directed an episode of The CW's television series The Flash. He has a vast knowledge and love for comics which is an excellent quality for someone directing a superhero film, I believe Smith would take great care of the story and characters, treating them with the respect they deserve while being faithful to their source material. Like George Miller, Smith was once attached to direct another failed DC adaptation, Superman Lives. However the film went through development hell and ultimately never happened, however I believe Smith deserves another chance at directing a comic book adaptation.
JJ Abrams
One of the most talked about figures in Hollywood at the moment both as a director and a producer, but why has he gained such high acclaim? Well this is the man who brought both Star Trek and Star Wars back to the big screens, introducing both franchises to a younger generation of fans. Abrams is a man of many talents, director, writer and producer, the man is a true force to be reckoned with and would do wonders to the DCEU. He issued in new installments in both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises without tampering too much with the already established universes, pleasing fans both old and new. As a director he displays immense talent and his style is a lot more pristine than Snyder's when dealing with action sequences (although it can be a bit heavy on the lens flares). I believe that Abrams would be perfect for the DCEU.
So those are just 6 of the many directors out there that I feel could really benefit the DC Extended Universe in their own different respects. Although Marvel may not be shaking in their boots yet, there were some elements of Dawn of Justice that should have them feeling a bit concerned. The competition is real and although it may not seem it now, with the right people on board DC could really blow Marvel out of the water in the years to come.
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