5. Sir Kenneth Branagh
Multiple Academy Award nominee Sir Kenneth Branagh has written, directed, and starred in several William Shakespeare adaptations, including Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello, and Hamlet, but it's his work on Marvel's 2011 film Thor that immediately shows his aptitude for comic book material. Aquaman has the potential to be the Thor equivalent to the DC universe, and his film could benefit a lot from Branagh's unique experience. Branagh managed to balance Thor's fantastical elements with its comic book roots, while grounding it enough to make it relatable and believable for general audiences to latch onto. That's equally as important for a character like Aquaman, who shares a lot of similarities with the God of Thunder. Both characters are heirs to the thrones of mythological homes (Asgard/Atlantis), and are forced to do battle with a power-hungry half-brother (Loki/Orm a.k.a. Ocean Master). Thor wasn't a perfect film, but Branagh did a fantastic job with introducing audiences to Asgard, while conveying the complex relationship between the film's two brothers. That alone makes him a good choice for Aquaman. Branagh's biggest challenge would be handling the necessary underwater scenes, but by the time Aquaman comes out, perhaps the technology will allow that process to be a bit easier. Additionally, just because someone hasn't done something yet doesn't mean they're incapable of it. Branagh had never directed an action-heavy tentpole before directing Thor, but managed to pull it off. Aquaman is a character that not only needs great action, but needs well-balanced character development and a Shakespearean edge. There's arguably no better director to handle such material than Branagh.