POLL: Who should direct The Avengers?

POLL: Who should direct The Avengers?

Here is the chance to have your say on who you think should sit in the directors chair for the upcoming movie featuring Earth’s Mightiest Heroes…

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 10, 2010 10:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Avengers
Source: Josh Wilding

This is a debate that has been raging on CBM ever since the movie was first announced and even more so since Captain America was finally cast and the project became even closer to finally becoming a reality. Whoever ends up sitting in the directors chair for this film has the difficult task of having to give equal weight to three characters – Cap, Thor and Iron Man and possibly even more if the likes of Ant-Man, Wasp, Hawkeye and Black Widow are included!

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Not only that, they need to also get the story, tone and feel of this movie right to successfully weave three movies into one, while simultaneously making it all look revolutionary and epic. That is why The Avengers needs a great director and I think it’s time to let the users of CBM decide who they think is the best person with the right vision for the 2012 blockbuster. After spending many hours combing through past articles about this, I’ve come up with a list of 7 directors that I think are not only some of the best possible choices for the job but also the most popular on this site as well as those recently rumoured.

J. J. Abrams



Previously directed...

Alias (5 episodes, 2001 - 2005)
Lost (2 episodes, 2004)
Mission Impossible III (2006)
Star Trek (2009)

Kenneth Branagh

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Previously directed...

Henry V (1989)
Frankenstein (1994)
Hamlet (1996)
Sleuth (2007)
Thor (2011)

Jon Favreau



Previously directed...

Elf (2003)
Zathura (2005)
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)

Peter Jackson



Previously directed...

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
King Kong (2005)
The Lovely Bones (2009)

Joe Johnston



Previously directed...

Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)
The Rocketeer (1991)
Jumanji (1995)
October Sky (1999)
Jurassic Park III (2001)
Hidalgo (2004)
The Wolfman (2010)
The First Avenger: Captain America (2011)

Louis Letterier



Previously directed...

The Transporter (2002)
Transporter 2 (2005)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Clash of the Titans (2010)

Matthew Vaughn



Previously directed...

Layer Cake (2004)
Stardust (2007)
Kick-Ass (2010)

Joss Whedon



Previously directed...

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (22 episodes, 1997 - 2003)
Angel (7 episodes, 1999- 2004)
Firefly (3 episodes, 2002)
Serenity (2003)
Dollhouse (3 episodes, 2009)

Other



Rather than keep adding more and more names onto the poll, just vote here if you want someone else in the directors chair and make sure to name them in the comments section so I can include them when I announce the results.



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The results of the poll will be announced on Friday 16th April. Thanks for voting! :)

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P862010
P862010 - 4/10/2010, 11:27 AM
i have so much confidence in Vaughn personally
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 4/10/2010, 11:36 AM
1. Abrams/Jackson
2. Other (Ridley Scott)
3. Vaughn
4. Whedon
5. Branagh
6. Johnston
...
...
...
99. Letterier

Favs is out though, he's already said he's not going to do it.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 4/10/2010, 11:43 AM
Unforutunately, my top choices, Abrams and Jackson, will be busy. Even Jackson is producing the Hobbit films, I'm sure he'll be quite busy with it. My next choice would be Vaughn.

How about Michael Bay?! Oh...that'd suck.

@Multi- that's a great suggestion! I like that.
KeithM
KeithM - 4/10/2010, 11:43 AM
You might want to extend the date a little until after the Yanks have seen Kick-Ass. I'm guessing a few will rate Vaughn a lot higher then... At the moment, he's equal with Leterrier, and if you compare Clash with Kick-Ass, that just doesn't look right. :)

InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 4/10/2010, 11:44 AM
Get Stephen Sommers actually :)

What a master of subtlety and character development that guy is.
80sFace
80sFace - 4/10/2010, 11:45 AM
I don't think Favs is out. He'll direct Cowboys & Aliens, and then is free come Jan/Feb 2011. He's probably just angling for more $$$. If IM2 makes buckets of money, Marvel will throw a good chunk at him to direct The Avengers.

If he's out, I'd go JJ, Whedon, or Alfonso Cuaron - even though I think Marvel should tap Cuaron to direct...Dr. Strange.
Android666
Android666 - 4/10/2010, 11:46 AM
Android says Favreau is the only one of the lot who both gets it and can deliver the goods. Please, Jon. Do it!
GoGoGadgetsBruh
GoGoGadgetsBruh - 4/10/2010, 11:47 AM
Abrams or Vaughn I'd be happy with
No to Jackson or anyone who directed one of the previous films (definitely not Leterrier....he's reminds me of Michael Bay more and more)
Isn't Favreau the executive producer?

Multi @ if Edward Norton was picked i actually wouldn't mind it xD
WolvieCBM
WolvieCBM - 4/10/2010, 11:49 AM
It's hard to say,I would like to see the Thor first and then vote.But for now I'm voting for Abrams.
SHHH
SHHH - 4/10/2010, 11:50 AM
JJ Abrams...He can mesh character's well....
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 4/10/2010, 11:50 AM
OZY: Thanks man but I think that it's way too early to judge Johnston - you have no idea what he'll do with The First Avenger: Captain America and he has a decent track record so he's by no means a "hack" IMO!

MULTI: Well, there's nothing to say that between now and early next year (when Hemsworth recently said filming would start) Favreau wont be convinced to change his mind! It's unlikely sure, but I still thought it was worth giving people the option to vote for him especially as he's such a fan favourite! Great points by the way especially about Zac Penn! I still cant believe Marvel chose the same guy who wrote Fantastic Four and Elektra...fingers crossed they're keeping a very close eye on him!

Oh, and I was going to include Del Toro (as I know that he's a director you've suggested a fair few times in the past) but with two Hobbit movies on the way I knew that there was no way he could direct this as well so thought it would be pretty pointless to include him! :)
fanboiii
fanboiii - 4/10/2010, 12:01 PM
I won't have an real opinion until I see Iron Man II, Thor, Captain America, and Kick-Ass

Leterrier didn't do so well with Clash of the Titans, so he's behind in the running.

So far JJ Abrams seems like the best because of how well he handled Star Trek, which was the biggest and most recent success out of the contenders. Favreau did will with Iron Man, but that was such a smaller scope compared to Star Trek.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 4/10/2010, 12:03 PM
MULTI: I havent put Favreau up there for "shits and giggles" as you put it - he's there because there is still very much a chance that he could direct The Avengers. Just because right now he's said he wont direct doesnt mean that he wont change his mind or that Marvel wont convince him to do it in the course of the next year! So in my opinion, he's far from an unrealistic choice whereas someone like Del Toro very much is.
EphPhaThaINC
EphPhaThaINC - 4/10/2010, 12:05 PM
Ah Correction...

On Louis Leterrier didn't direct the first Transporter movie. Corey Yuen directed that one.

HOWEVER Leterrier was INVOLVED in that movie. I think that he was editing director or director of photography (I can't quite remember that part.) but I do know that he was not the main director of the first transporter movie.

But for the second one, that was when Luc Besson tagged him to jump into the directors chair whenever Yuen couldn't do it (I think that he was doing DOA at the time of Transporter 2)
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/10/2010, 12:06 PM
Out of these..Abrams, Whedon, Vaughan. I also like Cuaron. Also Jackson has a few more movies..Braindead, Heavenly Creatures and bad taste:)
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/10/2010, 12:06 PM
1.jj abrams(now lost is coming to the end perfect choice.)
2.peter jackson( i think he would be to busy with the hobbit.)
3.matthew vaughn(i'd rather him do the daredevil reboot,but i'd be pleased if he done the avengers.)
CaptainOtter
CaptainOtter - 4/10/2010, 12:07 PM
I would like Favreau, since I can't imagine him doing a bad job on this. Since he can't do it, I would say Jackson. I don't think Branagh will be free (he works on Thor until March/April in postproduction, shooting starts january or so), leterrier is good for action but not much else, and if abrams gets chosen ill die a little inside.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 4/10/2010, 12:08 PM
Here are some other suggestions:
Kathryn Bigelow
Darren Aronofsky
David Cronenberg
Coen Brothers

MatchesMalone
MatchesMalone - 4/10/2010, 12:08 PM
My vote is for Abrams. He showed us with "Star Trek" that he can do justice to a movie with an ensemble cast made up of very strong personalities without sacrificing any one character's story and development. Plus, he just strikes me as a fellow comic book nerd that might already have decent knowledge of the characters. Like Poni said, I don't think that I would want any of the directors that already handled one of the individual characters to do the Avengers because of possible biases. I don't know what his salary is these days, but I'm not sure he'd be cheap enough. And as for Joss Whedon, I like Firefly, but a resounding NO to a tv director for a very important film like this. I just don't think he has the chops. Btw, haven't seen Stardust or Kick-Ass yet, but Layer Cake is the shit, so out of these choices, Vaughn would be my #2 pick.
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 4/10/2010, 12:11 PM
Jon Favreau.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 4/10/2010, 12:11 PM
I wouldn't mind Cuaron either. A choice that is way, waaaayyyyy out in left field that I wouldn't mind is Blomkamp, but he's admitted that he doesn't want to do mainstream blockbuster type films.

Just please no Letterier :)
KeithM
KeithM - 4/10/2010, 12:17 PM
@Josh: Before then, he's directing Cowboys and Aliens too, which is scheduled for release in summer 2011. That gives him less than a year if he wanted to direct The Avengers - not enough...

Only a miracle could get him on the Avengers now. Sorry to be a buzz breaker and everything. ;)

I think Abrams is probably the best mooted of the major players, although as I said above, I think Vaughn will leap up this list once Kick-Ass gets a Stateside release. He's shown he can handle an ensemble cast, knows his action, has a good ear for dialogue, and can deliver something kinetic, stylish and fast-paced while still maintaining strong characterisations. However, while I think he'll be inundated with offers, I can't see him being in any rush to work under a studios restrictive leash any time soon. He'll want mucho freedom, and as we know, that might be a bit difficult with an already established set of characters in an already semi-defined MMU.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/10/2010, 12:23 PM
Ecks..all great directors but for Avengers? I dunno..maybe Bigelow.
MatchesMalone
MatchesMalone - 4/10/2010, 12:25 PM
@Multi-Has Edward Norton directed anything before? I've never heard of him directing any thing before. If he has, then maybe, but if he hasn't, then I'm not sure the Avengers should be his cherry-popper.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 4/10/2010, 12:30 PM
As I said, Blomkamp is waaaaaayyyyyyyy in left field. His one film that rocked was better than every single one of Letterier's films. That includes TIH, which was very very enjoyable yes, but I want more depth and character development out of Avengers. TIH got by on the strength of it's veteran actors (Norton, Hurt, Roth) but Letterier struggles with less proven actors (Liv Tyler, Worthington, Davalos) and it showed in TIH but even moreso in the POS known as Clash of the Titans. His pacing is off on films, TIH felt rushed and Clash felt like 30 minutes, an awfully painful 30 minutes at that. He lacks in subtlety, character development, emotion, and character connection to the audience. Not good matches for Avengers.

So yes, I'll take Blomkamp's one film which had character development, superb acting, a sharp script, heart, and emotion over Letterier, who has only done one good film.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/10/2010, 12:30 PM
Anil, LL is a hack. I had my suspicions before Clash, and now I'm sure of it. TIH was a good movie but there was little to no character engagement, he got away with it because it was The Hulk but you want that cardboard shite in an Avengers movie? Go watch Clash to see how he handles ensemble team movies..its the opposite to well!

Matches, some believe that Norton possibly had a bit more to do with how well THI Hulk turned out than LL did!
SHAZAM171
SHAZAM171 - 4/10/2010, 12:33 PM
1. J.J.Abrams
2. Joss Whedon
3. Jon Favreau

Or they can bring in a Director that will surprise us by proving themselves. I think Hollywood should branch out and find new talent and directors. They are starting to recycle actors and directors.( I know I know that's what everybody wants, because they feel comfortable with what they know and like), but I think they should branch out and give directors that have not done a superhero movie.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 4/10/2010, 12:44 PM
@Ror- just thought I'd throw some names out. We just seem to be stuck with about 5 names here and more than likely, two of them are out of the running.

satanors
satanors - 4/10/2010, 12:44 PM
Joss whedon all the way...
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/10/2010, 12:46 PM
Don't get me wrong Ecks, I would love to see an Aronofsky or a Cronenberg Avengers! But only as a curiosity really..I have a feeling purists would lynch em!
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 4/10/2010, 12:47 PM
KeithM: Nah, you make some fair points! However, as he's the man responsible for creating this Marvel movie universe I dont see any reason why he wouldnt consider delaying Cowboys and Aliens especially if Marvel write a big enough paycheck, lol!

ANIL: Lol, that would be quite something! ;) I havent had the internet for the past few days so I only saw those teasers a few hours ago...I almost crapped my pants when I saw that Beast would be a Dark Avenger!!! Have you been reading X-Men: Second Coming?

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fanboiii
fanboiii - 4/10/2010, 12:48 PM
Thor already sounds epic and has an ensemble cast, so if Kenneth Branagh does well he'll be a huge contender.
MatchesMalone
MatchesMalone - 4/10/2010, 12:49 PM
@Ror-Yeah, I've heard that since before the movie came out, and it makes sense, but his name wasn't attached to the director's credit. I think if he ever made the switch, he'd probably be very successful. I don't know, though, something tells me that he would probably be better at smaller, quieter pictures than something like Avengers, while very character driven, that is more action oriented.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 4/10/2010, 12:50 PM
Yeah, you're probably right. ON a side note, It looks like a second "Eastern Promises" is headed our way.
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