Directors Who Would Be Perfect For The DCU Batman

Summary

Horror directors like James Wan and Robert Eggers could excel in both bringing action and horror to the DCU.
Jensen Ackles could be the first potential Batman actor to also direct his own movie.
Possibilities exist for established DC directors like James Gunn and newcomers like Bryce Dallas Howard to create a Batman movie.

After carefully analyzing the impressive resumes of these talented directors, I must say that Guillermo Del Toro stands out as the top choice for a Batman movie. His mastery of dark fantasy and sci-fi, coupled with his ability to deliver diverse stories, makes him an ideal fit for the complex world of Gotham City.

Del Toro’s experience in comic book adaptations, as seen in “Hellboy” and “Blade 2,” showcases his knack for bringing beloved characters to life on the big screen. Moreover, his unique visual style, which blends horror and whimsy, could create a Batman film that is both darkly captivating and visually stunning.

Now, imagine the gothic grandeur of Gotham City under Del Toro’s direction. The Joker, Two-Face, and the Penguin would be more terrifying than ever before, while the Dark Knight himself would exude an air of brooding intensity that would make Christian Bale proud.

Lastly, I can’t help but joke about this: If Del Toro were to direct a Batman movie, we might just see the return of the iconic “Batsuit of Lightsabers” from “The Shape of Water.” Now wouldn’t that be a sight to behold?

Enthusiasts are already buzzing about the fresh DC Universe by James Gunn and they can’t wait to see its growth. It’s been confirmed that Batman will star in his own movie within the DCU, tentatively called “Courage and Collaboration“. Directed by Andy Muschietti, the release date for this film remains uncertain, which means adjustments to the plan might be possible.

If Brave And The Bold calls for a new director or if a sequel is forthcoming, various directors could animate the Caped Crusader. These directors span across action genre veterans, contemporary horror masters, and those who have demonstrated their skills in Marvel and DC productions previously.

10. James Gunn

An Ideal Next Step After Superman Starts The DCU

Movies/Shows: Guardians Of The Galaxy, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3, The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos
Born: August 5, 1966

James Gunn has shown his love for comic books through his work with both DC and Marvel. He incorporates the whimsical elements of comics in his movies, including a chatty raccoon and a massive starfish kaiju. Yet, he consistently emphasizes the characters and their stories.

James Gunn’s unique abilities, demonstrated through the creation of series like the “Guardians of the Galaxy” trilogy, “Peacemaker,” “The Suicide Squad,” and now “Superman,” could be utilized to develop a distinct interpretation of Batman. By incorporating more eccentric adversaries such as Mr. Freeze and Doctor Death, James Gunn could breathe life into a more faithful representation of the chaotic atmosphere of Gotham City.

9. Sam Hargrave

He Has A Knack For Brutal And Stylish Fight Sequences

Movies: Extraction (Director), Extraction 2 (Director), Avengers: Infinity War (Stunt Coordinator), Avengers: Endgame (Stunt Coordinator)
Born: November 26, 1982

In the realm of film directing, Sam Hargrave first gained experience as a stunt performer in numerous action films. His work encompassed the Pirates of the Caribbean series and almost every Avengers production, leading him to his directorial breakthrough with the Netflix film Extraction, with a third installment scheduled for release.

As a movie connoisseur, I must commend Sam Hargrave’s knack for crafting pulse-pounding, raw action sequences that plunge the viewer smack dab into the heat of the action. The Extraction films showcase extended sequences that mimic single-take shots, brimming with lethal martial arts and various combat styles – a skillset that could breathe fresh life into the Batman fight scenes, making them more immersive and exhilarating than ever.

8. James Wan

Made A Name For Himself With Horror Movies & Aquaman

Movies: Aquaman, Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom, Saw, Dead Silence, Insidious, The Conjuring,
Born: February 26, 1977

Previously, James Wan collaborated with the DC Extended Universe on the ‘Aquaman’ films, demonstrating affection for the quirky aspects of the DC universe. However, he also voiced his desire to work on a Batman project. Given his background in horror films like ‘Saw’, ‘Insidious’, and ‘The Conjuring’, it is understandable that he wishes to create a more chilling Batman movie.

A significant portion of Batman’s universe leans towards the terrifying and grim. Characters like Victor Zsasz, a chilling serial murderer, and Man-Bat, a literal monster, are ideally suited for a more horror-focused approach. Conversely, Aquaman has demonstrated the ability to orchestrate grand, epic battles, whether through live stunt artists or computer-generated imagery (CGI).

7. Jensen Ackles

A Chance For A Batman Actor To Direct His Own Movie

Shows: Supernatural, Walker
Born: March 1, 1978

Beyond just acting, Jensen Ackles has demonstrated his versatility by proving himself as a talented director for television shows. He’s helmed several episodes of “Supernatural” and one episode of “Walker,” showcasing his abilities not only in front of the camera but also behind it, illustrating his proficiency in various roles within the industry.

Fans often propose Jensen Ackles for the role of Batman within the DC Universe, given his successful portrayal of the character in the temporary DC Tomorrow-Verse animation. Additionally, he’s an avid comic book reader, which could lend an authentic fan’s perspective to the role as both actor and director in a superhero film, marking a first for this genre.

6. Bryce Dallas Howard

Rising Director In The World Of Pop Culture

Shows: The Mandalorian, The Book Of Boba Fett, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, The Santa Stories
Born: March 2, 1981

In the tradition set by her father, Bryce Dallas Howard has established herself as a talented actress, gracing numerous box-office hits. Yet, she has also ventured into directing, swiftly capturing hearts with her work on acclaimed episodes of The Mandalorian, The Book Of Boba Fett, and now Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

Bryce Dallas Howard strikes an excellent mix of action, humor, character depth, and audience satisfaction in her work. Given this talent, she’d be a fantastic choice for helming a live-action Batman film that centers on the Bat-Family – featuring characters such as Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood, and other Robins – offering both fans and newcomers an engaging experience.

5. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah

They Deserve Compensation For Batgirl’s Cancellation

Movies/Shows: Snowfall, Ms. Marvel, Bad Boys For Life, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die
Born: June 30, 1988 (Arbi), January 4, 1986 (Fallah)

Earlier, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were employed at DC, where they were set to direct the ‘Batgirl’ movie. Unfortunately, due to a tax write-off, this project was famously scrapped. Despite their impressive cinematography and action sequences in recent ‘Bad Boys’ films as well as episodes of ‘Ms. Marvel’, fans have been eagerly hoping for a way that Batgirl could still be released.

One solution DC Studios might consider is giving Adil and Bilall creative control over a Batman film within the DC Universe. Their innovative camera techniques, as seen in films like Bad Boys For Life and Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, could result in never-before-seen dynamic Batman scenes. Additionally, this approach might provide an opportunity to reintroduce Leslie Grace to the role of Batgirl.

4. Robert Eggers

Could Turn Batman Into The Next Big Horror Movie

Movies: The Lighthouse, Nosferatu, The VVitch, The Northman,
Born: July 7, 1983

Following the releases of “The VVitch,” “The Lighthouse,” and now his take on “Nosferatu,” filmmaker Robert Eggers has swiftly established himself as a horror genre titan. Interestingly, many directors who’ve made their mark in the superhero realm initially started with horror films and later moved on to produce successful comic book adaptations: James Wan, Scott Derrickson, Zack Snyder, and Jon Watts being some notable examples.

In the same vein as James Wan, Robert Eggers possesses a knack for creating ominous and chilling antagonists, whether they are rooted in reality like Professor Pyg or otherworldly terrors such as The Court of Owls with their spectral Talons. The illusions of Scarecrow would fit seamlessly into Robert Eggers’ cinematic approach, given that many of his horror films are characterized by twisted and nightmarish hallucinations.

3. Antoine Fuqua

Gave Audiences Great Vigilante Action With The Equalizer

Movies: The Equalizer, The Equalizer 2, The Equalizer 3, Training Day, Southpaw, Brooklyn’s Finest, Olympus Has Fallen
Born: May 30, 1965

Antoine Fuqua is known for directing several notable films such as “Olympus Has Fallen,” “Shooter,” “Southpaw,” and “Brooklyn’s Finest.” Moreover, Antoine Fuqua has excelled in creating intense vigilante action with the “The Equalizer” trilogy, which showcases realistic yet grandiose fight scenes that could easily be found in a Batman film.

A filmmaker akin to Antoine Fuqua might delve into the assassin side of Gotham City, revealing its darker, criminal underworld inhabited by various Batman adversaries, including those with superhuman abilities. Characters such as Deathstroke, Deadshot, Mothman (Killer Moth), Lady Shiva, and a more faithful adaptation of Bane would be ideal for him to portray.

2. Guillermo Del Toro

A Master Of Dark Fantasy & Sci-Fi

Movies: Hellboy, Hellboy 2: The Golden Army, Blade 2, Pacific Rim, The Shape Of Water, Crimson Peak
Born: October 9, 1964

When considering Guillermo Del Toro, many people imagine the enigmatic world of dark fantasies like “The Shape Of Water” or “Pan’s Labyrinth”. Yet, it’s important to remember that Del Toro has also demonstrated his versatility in adapting comic books. He directed the cherished “Hellboy” duology for Dark Horse Comics and “Blade 2” for Marvel. In a sense, “Pacific Rim”, too, can be seen as belonging to the genre of superhero films.

Guillermo Del Toro’s distinctive style would suitably match Gotham City’s gothic ambiance, given his past works. Del Toro is a versatile director capable of handling various genres and narratives, so his Batman tale could embody a blend of dark humor, as seen in films like Hellboy or Rise of the Guardians, or it could be eerie and complex, much like Crimson Peak.

1. Sam Raimi

A Previous Contender For A Batman Director

Movies: The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn, Army Of Darkness, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man 3, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Born: October 23, 1959

Sam Raimi is known for helming Spider-Man and Doctor Strange within the Marvel universe, but his adventure into the superhero realm actually started with the gritty movie, “Darkman”. Originally, Raimi was in talks to direct the 1989 film, “Batman”, but that didn’t come to fruition. Instead, he drew on his experience from the “Evil Dead” films and developed a superhero character inspired by Batman and various classic Universal monsters from his youth, which resulted in the creation of “Darkman”.

As a longtime DC Universe fan, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the day when DC Studios might finally bring Sam Raimi’s vision to life – a sentiment he reiterated during the promotion of “Doctor Strange and The Multiverse Of Madness”. Whether it leans towards the gritty realism of Matt Reeves’ films or embraces the vibrant comic-book style of Raimi’s Marvel projects, fans like myself would wholeheartedly back his endeavors.

2025-01-04 10:34