It’s just over six months since it was announced that Christopher Nolan would be shepherding a new “Superman” movie, and considering that Warner Bros have to be in production by 2012, or the rights will revert to the families of creator Jerry Siegel, it’s surprising there hasn’t been more forward momentum. Sure, there’s been the recurring rumor that Nolan’s brother Jonathan would direct the film, and various unconvincing casting rumors, but little else.
Well, that’s all changed tonight, as Deadline has reported that Nolan and partner/producer Emma Thomas have started to met with prospective helmers for the project, and it’s a somewhat surprising list, one without Jonathan Nolan anywhere near it. Veteran Tony Scott, “Let Me In” director Matt Reeves, Jonathan Liebesman, of the upcoming “Battle: Los Angeles,” “Moon” helmer Duncan Jones and Zack Snyder are all set to meet with Nolan about directing the high-profile film, and a decision is expected in the next few weeks.
We’ve got to say, we’re a little disappointed with the selection on hand. We named Jones as one of the five we thought could do it back in the day, and the word on Reeves’ “Let Me In” is strong, but the others all strike us as brainless action guys — Scott’s had his moments, but has long since descended into self-parody, Liebesman is something of an unknown quantity, but his alien invasion picture isn’t that enticing, and our already-monumental dislike for Snyder has only increased after his nonsensical owl picture “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls Of Ga’hoole.”
We reckon, perhaps over-optimistically, that these are, for the most part, favored names from the studio that Nolan is humoring by meeting — but having said that, the director is said to be a fan of Michael Bay movies, so you never know. As Deadline acknowledges, several of the names have other commitments — Liebesman, in particular, is set to helm “Clash of the Titans 2” for the studio, while Scott has a number of projects in the works. Of the five, we’d still put our money on Jones landing the gig — he seems closer to Nolan’s sensibilities than any of the others. We could live with Reeves, and the rest would be fairly upsetting, to say the least. That said, we’re sure there will be more names to come.
I wonder if WB would ever consider Affleck for this. I know it sounds crazy, but the action in "The Town" was good and the film has a lot of buzz right now.
http://www.thislalife.com
I nominate Bob Zemeckis.
Please no Tony Scott.
Tony Scott is a great choice. Superman needs a man of action, not some Singer-esque douche. Reeves and Jones would be my other choices, but the visual panache of Scott would jive well with the absurd action spectacular that Superman demands.
Affleck would be interesting the common link between all these directors is their experience with VFX of which Superman will probably have plenty. Putting an effect newb into the director's chair is probably not a good idea for a major franchise reboot.
No, no, no, no, and fuck no.
If they want to replicate Nolan's Batman success with Superman, they should "take a chance" on a real filmmaker — like they did with Chris Nolan. Not a cheap copycat (Jones) or established hack (everyone else on that list).
Someone like Guillermo Del Toro. Kathryn Bigelow. Tony Gilroy. David Fincher. Or even Paul Verhoeven (Black Book redeemed him). I'm also fine with Johnathan Nolan — at least we know he has brains in his head and Chris to consult with.
Michael Bay is the ONLY person who should direct the Superman reboot. He should have done it the first time around a few years ago…had he been the one, we wouldn't be talking "re-boot" at this moment…we'd be on film #3.
Bay would get it all right — the colors, the effects, the all-American vibe…he's the perfect choice.
And there's no bigger fan of Tony Scott than myself. But even I think it's a crazy idea for Tony to direct a Superman film. He's more suited to that Mark Millar/anti-superhero project that was announced a few weeks ago.
I trust Nolan. Whoever he chooses I would down with.
"Christopher Nolan Considering Tony Scott, Matt Reeves, Jonathan Liebesman, Duncan Jones and Zack Snyder To Direct 'Superman' Reboot"
I like this tittle
@anon
Would love to know who Duncan Jones is a copy cat of.
don't take this the wrong way, but my feeling is ditch the blogging and get a job. maybe a job directing? …so you would know what you're talking about?
Seriously? "Moon" didn't remind you of any other films? Two — and only two — films in particular?
Jonathan Glazer. All Im sayin.
Yeah, with Moon Duncan Jones obviously copied Michael Bay (The Island) and Douglas Trumbull (Silent Running). Maybe Iron Man 2 too, because of Sam Rockwell (I know it came after, but still).
Get Zack Snyder for this film. Duncan doesn't have the experience. Liebesman is an amateur filmmaker who needs to work on his directing; Tony Scott should focus on his own style of films.
http://www.scriptleak.com/
A lot of tarded in this comments section.
PLEASE NOT TONY SCOTT.
A "Superman" reboot is a pretty awful idea in the first place unless you are going to completely dismantle the all American apple pie naive optimism that is at the core of the mythology and brand. Does the current Tea Party America strike you as a place where people would even buy that narrative let alone enthusiastically embrace it? Batman is a vigilante. That is much more connected to the current national psyche which sees all government and corporate institutions as suspicious if not down right criminal. All super heroes are not built the same. Superman trusts completely in truth, justice, and the American way. Does America?
And good luck selling a character swaddled in know-it-all red, white, and blue to international markets.
There may be a time when a Superman reboot would work. This is not the time. At least not without chucking the whole mythology overboard. And I am betting all of the directors on that list are smart enough to know that.
The "American way" claptrap was mostly as a result of media-wide intolerance of warring countries, and truly has never been inherent in the character other than that memorable catchphrase, so I don't think that should be much of an obstacle. Except to Zack Snyder, who is an idiot.