Nicolas Winding Refn has progressively worked his way into the Hollywood consciousness after raising eyebrows with his Danish ‘Pusher’ trilogy and his pair of grim, visually astonishing films “Bronson” and “Valhalla Rising.” He’ll soon be lensing on his Bangkok-set modern Western “Only God Forgives” and should also be following that with the Ryan Gosling-led neo-noir “Drive,” his first taste of A-grade talent after making names of actors like Mads Mikkelson and Tom Hardy.
The director, though, has one particular studio project he’d evidently like to tackle; and one that should come very much as a surprise. “I guess one of the aims I am having, but at the very early stage, I always wanted to do ‘Wonder Woman’ as a feature film,” the Danish auteur tells BBC [via /Film] “Well, I would say that Wonder Woman is probably something that, to me, would be not just a satisfaction, but almost a [catharsis], and I was born to make it.”
Winding Refn’s visually and aurally expressive style would seemingly flourish in most genres and, with superheroes films probably being the greatest and most accessible platform for directors at the moment, it’s no surprise that the Dane would be linked to a picture of that genre — but to hear it from his own mouth with such stern ambition and passion is definitely unexpected.
We had nominated Winding Refn as a potential contender for the ‘Batman’ franchise back when it was unsure if Christopher Nolan would return but that was nothing more than wishful thinking. Despite his affinity for “Wonder Woman” we just can’t see it happening while rights are still in the hands of producer Joel Silver and names like Megan Fox are being linked to the titular role. Nor can we see how an Amazonian warrior flaunting her Lasso Of Truth and indestructible bracelets while flying in her invisible airplane would work in Winding Refn’s world (though we’re sure he could come up with something great). The idea of Refn trying to work within the confines and supervision of a major studio franchise just doesn’t seem likely, but then again, we never thought we would ever see Michel Gondry helming something like “Green Hornet” either.
Either way, we’ll be satisfied as long as Winding Refn continues to be an employed director somewhere, somehow. And with the likes of “Only God Forgives” and “Drive” on the horizon, it shouldn’t be too long for before we get another fix from this truly artistic director.
The rights were pulled back from Joel Silver earlier this year when WB reworked DC comics management.