My RSS feed was absolutely stuffed to the brim with the clamoring re-reporting of the geek press’s favorite story of the week yesterday: OMG! Christopher Nolan is meeting with a shortlist of potential “Superman” directors!
Except the list is all wrong. The names: Tony Scott, Matt Reeves, Jonathan Liebsman, Duncan Jones and Zack Snyder. Now, I love Reeves and Jones (the two getting most people excited) as much as the next guy. But they don’t feel thematically right for this material. And Superman boasts a scope that these directors, however talented on a smaller scale, have yet to prove capable of navigating.
Liebsman, meanwhile, is the intriguing up-and-comer pick, and though I haven’t seen “Battle: Los Angeles,” I feel like this is just a way to insert some in-house cross-promoting potential (“from the director of ‘Clash of the Titans 2,’” you know?). And Snyder, well, I wouldn’t be entirely against it, but I’d know from the start that it would be a stylistic divergence unsuitable to the character.
Scott is really the most interesting pick of the bunch, and if this were pre-frenetic filmmaking Scott (i.e. pre-“Enemy of the State”), I’d be all about it. I’d say the guy who copped Scott’s early style would be a better pick…
That’s right, Michael Bay (who has been on this shortlist in the past). Say what you want about the guy, I think his sense of scope and the Americana that has found its way into stuff like “Armageddon” and “Pearl Harbor” would work wonderfully for this character. After all, if it’s a great script, it should be clear sailing. Let’s start there for a change.
Not working for you? Okay, how about dusting off Kerry Conran and his brother’s career, suiting them back up for a throwback style that would be incredibly unique for the character?
Still not working? Alright, a few other ideas:
Ben Affleck. No, seriously. He proved with “The Town” that he can handle action just fine and he’s quite serious as a filmmaker these days. We all know it’s about “what have you done for me lately,” after all.
Philip Noyce. I think it’s clear with Tony Scott’s presence on the list that all involved are looking to outside-the-box people along the lines of Joe Johnston, Kenneth Branagh, Gavin Hood and Martin Campbell, each tackling their own superhero franchises as of late. This would lack stylistic flourishes but it would be a controlled auctioneer from a seasoned helmet.
J.J. Abrams. He’s probably over the Man of Steel at this point (following screenplay involvement years ago). But is there any doubt he wouldn’t nail it?
Roland Emmerich. You want scope? I got yer scope.
Those are just a few off the top of my head, but any of them would be a better choice, in this humble geek viewer’s opinion, than the handful Nolan is combing over at this very moment.
What say you? And while we’re at it, let’s dust off the sidebar poll. Vote on which of the shortlist you’d rather see tackle the Son of Krypton.
[Photo: DC Comics]
Comments
68 responses to “Who should be on Christopher Nolan’s ‘Superman’ shortlist?”
Funny, Ben Affleck was the first name that popped into my head when I saw your headline.
Also, call me crazy, but I think Joe Wright could do this.
Ok Guy… you’re crazy.
Let’s not forget that Christopher Nolan hadn’t done anything remotely on that scale when he made Batman Begins. Insomnia was the only major film he’d made, and that was anything but a large-scale film.
I’d love to see someone like Duncan Jones doing this. He certainly proved with Moon that he’s got talent. Perhaps he should have another movie or two in him before going this big, but I’d frankly be more interested to see what he could do with this than someone more established, not to mention he’d be doing it with Christopher Nolan as a mentor. what is Nolan’s role in this anyway? Producer?
Another name I’d like to throw into the hat: Neill Blomkamp. If he could put together a movie like District 9 on that budget, imagine what he could do with a few more bucks in his pocket.
If only they could pull Paul Verhoeven into it – have us some epic, retro awesomeness!
Um, Kris, isn’t the choice obvious? An epic movie about a person flying? Mira Nair!
Seriously, I think I would be OK with either Abraams or Snyder but I can’t really care about the whole thing.
Beyond just issues of scale, I don’t really think there’s anything about Jones’s (admittedly small sampling) work so far to suggest he has the thematic stroke that dovetails with Superman, unlike Nolan, who at the time, felt like a great fit for Batman. And by the way, Batman isn’t the kind of thing that needs “scope,” even though it naturally went that direction in the end.
The InSneider – Actually, I like the thought. Atonement showed he might be able to do this but I’d rather not. I want him for something more humane though I can’t really know what the script aims for. Um, I think I do…
I think an up and comer would be a fine choice for the man of steele’s latest incarnation. Like Graysmith said, Nolan hadn’t done a blockbuster before directing Batman Begins, and Richard Donner had only done two fairly small films before helming the original Superman. Granted that was a much different era.
I’m genuinely surprised that Christopher Nolan would be interested in working with Zack Snyder. One of them thinks so much, and the other one…just fucks around.
No one captures the American flag and spirit quite like Michael Bay.
With the Transformers franchise winding down, his schedule should be open.
Nolan/Bay would definitely put butts in seats which is what DC entertainment needs right now.
God, I would love Conran to do this.
‘Sky Captain’ was, without question, one of the most underrated films of the Aughts.
<3
Ben Affleck or JJ Abrams would be fine.
I also agree with Graysmith that if Nolan was a good fit for Batman after just Following, Memento and Insomnia then a small film director can tackle Superman.
I also like Duncan Jones and Neil Blomkamp.
And absolutely not to Tony Scott, Zack Snyder or Michael Bay.
Blomkamp is definitely a very interesting choice. Alfonso Cuarón could be awesome too!
“Nolan/Bay would definitely put butts in seats which is what DC entertainment needs right now.”
No doubt. It would be a power pairing. Of course, someone’s ego would have to take a back seat, and that’s where it gets tricky.
How about Brad Bird? He showed with The Incredibles that he could do a superhero movie with style, substance and heart. Plus the final line from the Iron Giant came to mind when I saw the title of this article.
Good call. I’d be on board for that.
I’m still unsure what Nolan’s “godfathering” role would be. From what was previously published, it seems beyond that of writer/producer.
I get the sense that Bay’s ego has been in check after working with Spielberg all these years, while Nolan is largely untested in these waters. It should be added that back in June during a Wally Pfister interview it was revealed that Nolan is a big fan of Bay (foreshadowing?).
And as much as I love Duncan Jones, it does remind me of those Neill Blomkamp rumours back when Peter Jackson was dodging his Hobbit destiny.
Bird, Affleck, maybe even Cuaron?
As for Tapley’s choices, I actually think Noyce would be the best fit, because he’s a very workman-like filmmaker. I don’t want to see a Superman movie where I know who is directing it, where the style overwhelms the story, which I imagine would be the case with Snyder, Bay and even Abrams, who I love. Noyce is just a solid, steady veteran who makes good movies. I don’t think this franchise needs a visionary like Chris Nolan. I just think it needs a successful reboot, one that doesn’t take too many chances, but leaves the door open for chances to be taken in a sequel… Loved Salt earlier this year so Noyce would be my pick. I think Liebesmann’s Battle: Los Angeles looks cool too. Wish he didn’t take the Titans gig. Reeves could also work but I gotta see Let Me In first. I just thought he did a fine job with the romance storyline in Cloverfield, in addition to mass destruction.
Nolan is actually a huge Michael Bay fan. Wally Pfister often makes fun of him for that.
Brad Bird would be cool, but he’s doing MI4 now, and if it makes enough money he’d want to get around to doing that 1916 passion project, leaving no room for “Man of Steel.” Anyway, I miss him back at Pixar. I agree that he’d be good for the project, though.
Phillip Noyce would be interesting, but his weaving, fast-pacedness of Salt doesn’t really do things for me if he were to do Superman.
I think Terry Zwigoff should do it. No, seriously.
Nolan is actually a huge Michael Bay fan. Wally Pfister often makes fun of him for that.
Brad Bird would be cool, but he’s doing MI4 now, and if it makes enough money he’d want to get around to doing that 1916 passion project, leaving no room for “Man of Steel.” Anyway, I miss him back at Pixar. I agree that he’d be good for the project, though.
I think Terry Zwigoff should do it. No, seriously.
Nolan is actually a huge Michael Bay fan. Wally Pfister often makes fun of him for that.
Brad Bird would be cool, but he’s doing MI4 now, and if it makes enough money he’d want to get around to doing that 1916 passion project, leaving no room for “Man of Steel.” Anyway, I miss him back at Pixar. I agree that he’d be good for the project, though.
I think one of those Jerry Bruckenheimer directors, like Jon Turtletaub or something, would be able to handle it well. I’ve always felt like the only thing holding him back is the script.
The right director would have to be able to handle the character’s grandness but also flaws (since it’s a Nolan film). I would actually love Paul Thomas Anderson to direct it since his characters often have that sort of thing, and maybe he’ll get enough money to be able to fund “The Master” independently.
Disregard my last couple of posts… They were submitted prematurely.
Paul Thomas Anderson…seriously…as outside of the box as you can get, but somehow…it might just work. Perhaps I’d just like to see what he could do with a blockbuster budget.
No way to Noyce, I’ve yet to see a film he’s directed that I’ve ever enjoyed…
anyhow, I think Duncan Jones is the man for the job…his career path would look quite similar to Nolan’s were he to get the gig.
Funny thing…apparently Nolan is a big fan of Bay. And yes, I’m serious.
Ben Affleck would be good. Also he could work with John Hamm again. (I hope!)
From my understanding of what I’ve heard about this project (which is admittedly very little), I thought that this movie was going to have a different take on Superman. That’s why I think people like Micheal Bay, Zach Snyder, and Tony Scott wouldn’t work for this version of Superman. They would likely make a film that had the usual perspective on the “Man of Steel”, and it sounds like this script takes a different perspective on Superman.
I would be interested in seeing what Duncan Jones would do with the film. Plus, he could probably use Bowie’s “Supermen” in the film for free.
Wasn’t the initial scuttle involving this project about Chris Nolan throwing his weight around so that he could secure a director’s chair for his brother, writer Jonah Nolan?
I didn’t see any reference to that in the link. Maybe Jonah’s not interested? Maybe WB put its foot down?
Ignoring the fact that if anyone’s style is completely inapropriate to Superman, than it have to be Nolan (if one was to follow YOUR logic), Kris, your picks are pretty terrible.
I’ll start with Emmerich. The guy never had any scope. All he as is sensless, scopeless scale (think about it!). And that’s not enough.
And why go with Tony Scott when there’s a billion other filmmaker with his sensabilities? Just because he’s been doing it longer. He may be kinetic at times, though not lately. I’ll give you that. But how many times has the man made a compelling film?
There are far better veteran choices. I’m thinking Peter Weir, Verhoeeven, Friedkin.
JJ Abrams. Why settle for a subtitute when you can have the real thing (hypothetically speaking, of course). And why, cannot we have a Spielberg superhero film? He already passed on Superman in the 70s and passed on Spiderman in the 00s.
I hope he changes his mind and not just for a “Justice League” style film. I want him to tackle a single, loner hero. In other words, take your scale and your Americana, and raise you scope, scale, composition, americana, drama and the whole nine yards.
” like Jon Turtletaub or something, would be able to handle it well. I’ve always felt like the only thing holding him back is the script.”
That, and the fact that he is subpar, bland, bland director. Did I mention he was bland yet?
I also feel that, despite the budget “Cloverfield” was a big big film. So I think Reeves and Snyder are good choices.
Eh, I’ve always felt like it was Bruckenheimer’s touch giving his movies a blandness. I think that with the right people backing him (IE Nolan) he could do a good job.
I’ll piggyback my earlier post here: didn’t Wally Pfister want to direct? Just wondering if his name hadn’t come up, though maybe this project is too big and too important to put in a first-time director’s lap.
Honestly, though, I would be more interested in seeing Jonah Nolan or Wally Pfister’s vision of Superman than any of the mentioned candidates.
I’m not sure there’s any director that could get me interested in Superman since it’s not an interesting project to me. But, Spike Jonze would be a good start.
Chad is right, I too actually have no interest whatsoever in another Superman movie. I’d really prefer it if they didn’t make one, much like the new Spider-Man. Way too soon on both counts to reboot them.
They’re not rebooting Superman, they’re sequeling.
And yeah, Warner said no to Jonathan Nolan. He has a few TV projects coming up. I don’t know about Pfister directing, though.
I would like to see a Wes Anderson Superman.
Is it possible to get a foreign director, like Almodovar or von Trier? Those guys would make an incredible film and it would help get them the attention they deserve!
Kevin Smith… just sayin’
Kelly Reichardt, Sidney Lumet or Charlie Kaufman, definitely one of these three.
A Kelly Reichardt Superman film, complete with five-minute takes of slowly dispersing clouds after Clark Kent has zapped through them, would be hilarious.
The Bowie kid would be my choice. Jones is the perfect middle ground between over use of style, and nothing special generics.
The Lars von Trier suggestion is the funniest. Would Lois Lane commit genital mutilation?
John Lee Hancock. The Red State solution
Kerry Conran would be a unique and cool choice. Brad Bird, too. Out of the shortlist, I’d probably pick Duncan Jones.
Now, on to my suggestions:
How about Alex Proyas? I know he’s kind of busy, but he’s one of the great underrated action/sci-fi directers out there.
Perhaps Ang Lee? I know “Hulk” isn’t that well liked by lots of people (I love it), but the sensibilities and themes that he put into that movie might work better for Supes, dontcha think?
And for something completely off the wall…
What about Rob Reiner? His movies have the old-fashioned morals and sensibilities that could fit well with Superman. He can handle intense drama, too. He’s worked with visual effects before.
If Ben directs maybe he would be smart and cast Jon Hamm.
I don’t think Bay, Scott or Emmerich can handle anything besides the action. Nolan’s superhero universe is too complicated for them.
Philip Noyce would be an okay choice, but the one that comes to mind right now is David Fincher. He’s got the chops to do it, especially with Nolan producing.
holy shit, everyone listen to Shmulik. Verhoeven would be brilliant. He has the scope, the humor, and the acute grasp of iconography required to make this a success. Unfortunately, it won’t happen. Man, why is Verhoeven so underrated?
Tom Hooper.
Wide-Angle Superman: The Movie
Tony Scott is pretty damn good sometimes (“Man on Fire,” “Domino”) and pretty awful sometimes (“Spy Game,” “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3”). But for Superman…no.
I haven’t seen “Let Me In” yet, so judging by only “Cloverfield,” I’d say bring on Reeves. It would be dark, but what the hey, he’s got incredible directing chops.
Jonathan Liebesman has directed two motion pictures so far (“Darkness Falls,” “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning”), both solid genre efforts, but that’s just it: they’re strictly horror films. “Battle: Los Angeles” will have to be the determining factor.
Duncan Jones is untested. “Moon” was pretty good, but it was a cold, steely, surgical sci-fi effort. So I dunno if he feels right.
Zack Snyder has now screwed up three films in his career, two of which are based off of comic books. The only one he got right (the terrific “Dawn of the Dead”) was a slightly satirical zombie movie. Superman would be totally wrong for him and we’d end up with another “300” (which I don’t really want…at all).
Michael Bay…no…just no. I wanna be able to comprehend what I’m seeing. And Bay hasn’t made a good film other than the extremely mild “Pearl Harbor.”
My pick would then be Kerry Conran, whose “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow” was one of the most visually astounding movies ever made.
Also, J.J. Abrams. “Mission: Impossible III” made no sense but it was really, really cool, and “Star Trek” was kinda terrific. He would bring levity to it.
Of the suggestions offered up here, I like Ben Affleck, Alfonso Cuaron and Peter Weir the best by far. Those guys rock and they have at least somewhat proven themselves with big budgets and action.
The Bay/Nolan pairing could result in something kind of cool but the risk of a resulting crud bucket of a movie is too high for my liking.
My question is, are we giving Nolan too much credit? Is he really the balls? Will he hand the project over to an awesome director and give up a fair amount of control or does he just want a hard-working and competent puppet?
@ Movieman:
Spy Game was awful? Do tell.
After the AICN review of Abrams script (with Lex Luthor as a Kryptonian, Krypton not being blown up but rather going through a civil war, and Superman’s powers coming from his suit) I don’t want him going anywhere near that franchise.
I agree that the choices being listed don’t seem right, in fact they seem like better candidates to replace Nolan on the Batman franchise than for Superman, perhaps the best course of action may be for WB to look at some of their Harry Potter directors: reasonably talented and bring something to the project but will also respect the source material, have a relationship with the studio, and have previously made a big budget fantasy/special effects film.