Seeing as
Kenneth Branaghhas exited stage right just as Marvel announced the July 26th, 2013 release date of the
Thor sequel, speculation is rising as to who will take over to helm the (no-doubt epic) fantasy sequel. Our very own editor and chief Matt Holmes has recently called for a visionary director to take the franchise to the next level. With that in mind, here's our 8 picks for who Marvel/Disney should be looking at as serious contenders to take charge of the next Asgardian adventure. The following names aren't in any order after our first choice;
Matthew Vaughn
Why: Probably the first name that comes to mind - the guy's four for four with bringing us great movies, including two films already in the genre, and one involving iconic Marvel characters. He's delved into fantasy with Stardust and demonstrated that under his direction, character and action can live side-by-side. Kick-Ass showed us he might well have Superhero chops, and X-Men First Class proved it. Plus he's got unfinished business with the character having attempted to get his and Mark Protosevich's vision for a Thor sequel off the ground before Marvel dumped their script to go with Branagh's take and the last time he had unfinished business with Marvel characters we got X-Men: First Class. Why Not: He's probably a little bit busy working out where the hell to take the X-Men next. And so he should be; First Class was like a taster of what he could do if unleashed in wider X-Men world. As much as he'd blow us out the water with a Thor movie, I want X-Men movies out every damn summer, and if I were Fox, I wouldn't trust anyone else with the title.
Darren Aronofsky
Why: He's made five magnificent movies, crossing genres and bringing us beautiful and emotive masterpieces. While he's not necessarily proven his action chops, he already nailed fantasy down with The Fountain. Most recently he has shown a desire to make a movie in the Marvel universe having come close to helming The Wolverine earlier this year and although he wants to make an epic adaptation of Noah's Ark next, he hasn't yet 100% nailed it down as his next project. Plus he made Black Swan, proof enough of his talents we'd say. Why Not: His name has come up as a potential director for Man Of Steel before it went to Zack Snyder, a pre and then post-Nolan Batman reboot, Robocop, and Preacher amongst many, many others - but other than the brief moment in which he seemed to be directing the Wolverine sequel, he's shyed away from actually taking a comic gig, creating original films rather than adaptations. Hasn't he got bigger fish to fry than Thor?
Joss Whedon
Why: Whedon is probably one of the biggest comic fans working in Hollywood. Despite lacking a history of box office hits, Marvel have trusted him with bringing us their flagship movie The Avengers. So, by the time Thor 2 (Thor Harder?) is ready to roll, he'll have worked with Chris Hemsworth twice (also on the still unreleased Cain in the Woods), and already know the universe inside-out. Why Not: He and (Internet Jesus) Warren Ellis have been planning a web-based movie project called "Wastelanders" that was set to shoot before he got The Avengers gig - he'll most likely want to jump into something smaller in scale like that after the ensemble epic hits screens next summer.
Edgar Wright
Why: After Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, I kinda want him to direct every comic book movie ever. The British genius understands character and action, knows the Marvel universe, and knows when to make a joke or when to just let emotion sit. He's been working on an Ant-Man adaptation that will supposedly be set in the cinematic Marvel universe for what feels a decade but as Marvel don't seem ready to give that project the greenlight, perhaps they might put a Thor sequel his way. He would certainly have the energy to do something great with it. Why Not: Scott Pilgrim wasn't a great box office success which no doubt would leave Marvel second guessing over whether he would be the right man, plus he's busy working on Them, Ant-Man and potentially the final film in the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy At World's End with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. I think we're all intrigued about what kind of movie he could possibly forge from Ant-Man and if we were been honest we would rather see that movie than a Thor 2.
Robert Rodriguez
Why: He knows action, he knows effects, he eats and sleeps greenscreen which the original Thor was loaded with. It's been 6 years since Sin City and it's about time he made another damn comic book movie. Having been playing with B-movies and (awesome) kids films, it's about time he made something truly epic and that lived up to his early ambitions as a filmmaker. He has most recently flirted with the Ryan Reynolds led Deadpool movie at 20th Century Fox and seems game to do a movie in the genre. Why Not: Thor might be made to travel around with Mjolnir in a hammer-shaped guitar case. Plus Rodriguez may not be able to tone down his excessiveness for a mainstream, PG-13 superhero film.
Jon Favreau
Why: He reinvigorated the superhero genre with Iron Man, and brought forth the new wave of Marvel Studios. It'd be nice to see what he can do with another character that's not Tony Stark in the universe, seeing as he's not returning for Iron Man 3. Plus, he's now an accomplished action director and is steeped in Marvel lore. Why Not: After wrapping Cowboys & Aliens and gearing up to make his Disneyland theme park love letter movie The Magic Kingdom, he is too busy and probably wants eventually to make something more high brow, with less guns and explosions. Or more guns and explosions, and less men who can fly.
Guillermo Del Toro
Why: Did someone say fantasy? Well who else would you be on the phone to? Del Toro is responsible for harnessing the awesome power of Mike Mignola, and bringing Hellboy to the general public. He made fantasy geeks come out of the shadows and declare to the world that they were loud and proud to nerd about. His films are visionary and his energy is boundless. He would make a Thor for the ages. Why Not: He's busy making Pacific Rim, sadly. Plus, he'd probably more likely want to make a Hellboy 3 with Ron Perlman than a Thor 2.
Alex Proyas
Why: We are pretty big fans of sci-fi director Alex Proyas in these parts (ok, not THAT big a fan to call his films our favourites of the year, but his blockbusters tick all the right boxes as far as we are concerned, except Knowing anyway) and he can do large scale actioners with big budget CGI as good as anyone else. We know he has been trying to convince 20th Century Fox to let him make a Silver Surferstand-alone picture for a few years now but hes getting no dice over there, so one would think he would be up for this. Why Not: Does he rely on CGI a little too much, and also action over story? Maybe. Also, he would be under pretty tight studio control at Marvel, something that might not interest him so much. Other than that, we cant see many negatives. Except for that he directed Knowing. So there you have it, What Culture's Contenders for the Thor sequel at Marvel. Agree or disagree with our choices, have we overlooked someone? Do tell, do tell