As excited as I am (and I know most of you fans are) about Marvel Studios' upcoming slate of films, I myself more-or-less know what to expect from them. I'm sure Disney will continue to make financially beneficial decisions, as they always have.
But what about Warner Bros.? I'm more concerned about what sort of creative decisions they will make, given their recently announced slate of DC Comics-centric films. So, in the spirit of speculation, here are six talented directors currently working in Hollywood -- and which of Warner Bros. upcoming projects they might be best suited for.
Francis Lawrence
Films:
I Am Legend
Constantine
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (Parts 1 and 2)
Suggested Project:
Wonder Woman
Francis Lawrence is not new to the genre of comic book adaptations, having directed 2005’s Constantine. However, he’s since proven himself to be a stylish and very well-rounded director, and just the kind of detail-oriented storyteller Wonder Woman needs.
Christopher McQuarrie
Films:
The Usual Suspects (writer)
Jack Reacher
Edge of Tomorrow (writer)
Suggested Project:
Green Lantern Reboot
While not necessarily the most prolific director, McQuarrie’s name has been attached as screenwriter to great films such as The Usual Suspects and Edge of Tomorrow. His work with swashbuckling, pulp protagonists in both Jack Reacher and (to an extent) Edge of Tomorrow would be a perfect match for the deep-space adventures of the Green Lantern Corps.
Matt Reeves
Films:
Cloverfield
Let Me In
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Suggested Project:
Shazam!
Matt Reeves is a rare breed of storyteller who is capable of making movies that are both epically grandiose and stirringly human. I think maybe more than any other director on this list, Reeves would be able to sell the heartfelt charm of a little boy granted the power to save the world.
David Yates
Films:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Parts 1 and 2)
Suggested Project:
Aquaman
This one is such an obvious choice you might not even have thought about it. David Yates had been a huge tentpole director for WB for years, having guided the Harry Potter franchise since 2007. If they’re looking for a director they can trust to turn Aquaman into a contender, they need look no further.
Neill Blomkamp
Films:
District 9
Elysium
Chappie
Suggested Project:
Cyborg
Sci-fi is Blomkamp’s forte, and practically all of his films contain the same thematic undercurrent: that “humanity” extends far beyond the reaches of just us, and that creatures of all forms -- alien, android, etc. -- are capable of feeling compassion. For this reason, I think Blomkamp is the guy to tell the story of Cyborg, the bridge between mankind and machine.
Colin Trevorrow
Films:
Safety Not Guaranteed
Jurassic World
Suggested Project:
The Flash
Colin Trevorrow is an interesting one. He debuted with the quirky rom-com Safety Not Guaranteed, about an ambiguously mentally-ill time traveler. With the upcoming Jurassic World, it seems Trevorrow it about to break out in a big way. Personally, I believe Trevorrow could bring a great degree of heart to an everyman character such as The Flash.
Comments? Ideas? Criticisms? Leave them below.
Until next time.