With the overall success of Joker, perhaps its time for studios to leave the shared universe formula that has worked so well for Marvel (and not DC), and return to more individual led stories by unique storytellers. For all that has been said about Todd Phillips during Joker’s run, you have to admit that he had a distinct vision and committed to it.
Now, hopefully, even better filmmakers (with more original taste and ideas) can attempt their own one-off superhero films. There are so many directors out there that would be perfect fits for these kinds of projects, and these are a few of our favorites.
Joe Cornish - Beast Boy
Joe Cornish has two feature films under his belt and deserves to have a shot at one of these bigger properties. His first film, Attack the Block, introduced audiences to John Boyega and utilized some of the most unique creature effects and design around. His second film, The Kid Who Would Be King, was a traditional dive into the classic heroes journey with some surprising new twists.
Cornish could combine the two into an awesome one-off Beast Boy movie. The creature effects required for his transformations would fit nicely with his background on Attack the Block. The lighthearted young hero arc also parallels his leads in both of his previous films. His fun tone and sensibilities would be perfect for this character’s transition to live-action.
Jordan Peele - Tales From The Crypt
Jordan Peele has made a name for himself in both comedy and horror, becoming a landmark auteur for today. He has shown immense interest in anthology storytelling as well, with his tenure as host for CBS All Access’ reboot of The Twilight Zone.
Peele could try his hand bringing another horror anthology back to life, by rebooting a film version of Tales of the Crypt. Utilizing Peele’s brand of humor and eye for horror, this could rejuvenate the horror anthology for a whole new audience.
Rian Johnson - The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has received one live-action adaption, which famously tanked at the box office and triggered the early retirement for Sean Connery. But, the original books are so fantastic and offer so much analysis on some of literature’s greatest figures.
One director who loves to turn genre and tropes on their heads is Rian Johnson. His ability to dissect the hero’s journey and completely reevaluate the way we watch Star Wars with The Last Jedi was groundbreaking. Seeing what he could do with characters like Alan Quartermain and The Invisible Man sends the mind racing.
Greta Gerwig - Sabrina The Teenage Witch
Greta Gerwig’s interest in telling coming of age stories for young girls has made her one of the most popular directors working today. Lady Bird remains one of the most beloved indie films in recent memory, and Little Women has become one of the most anticipated films of the whole year.
Instead of giving Gerwig a traditional superhero property, perhaps she could try her hand at adapting Sabrina the Teenage Witch for the big screen. While the Netflix series is absolutely outstanding, Gerwig could offer a brand new take on the beloved teenage sorceress.
Dee Rees - Amanda Waller
Dee Rees’ directorial debut Mudbound was one of the most underrated films of 2017. This Netflix release was a powerful watch, offering a down to earth drama concerning family and racial relations in the deep south.
Rees could certainly try her hand at a comic book film as her next major project. Mudbound dealt with some morally gray areas in terms of characterization, which would be perfect for an Amanda Waller solo film. Seeing a director with a true vision for the character could really give the character the time and attention needed.
Ben Wheatley - Sandman
Ben Wheatley has made some of the strangest and scariest films in recent years. A Field in England is a terrifyingly bizarre trip into madness, and Kill List is one of the tensest thrillers to come around. If Wheatley was to tackle a comic book character, he would need one that combines horror, psychedelic imagery, and sharp social commentary.
Sandman could be a perfect fit. This Neil Gaiman series follows Dream, aka Morpheus, the god of sleep. His journey through the psyche alongside the other entities, Destinee, Death, Desire, and more, are some of the strangest in the medium. A Field in England is reason enough to hand the keys of this series over to him.
Guillermo Del Toro - Swamp Thing
Come on, what other director could honestly bring Swampthing to life better than Del Toro? The director had been working on a Justice League Dark film featuring this character, which sadly was eventually scrapped.
Perhaps, instead, Del Toro could try his hand at a stand-alone Swamp Thing film. Focusing solely on the journey of this monstrous character (and his practical design), Del Toro could finally do the character filmic justice.
Alfonso Cuaron - Gotham By Gaslight
Alfonso Cuaron has a way of capturing the fantastic side of genre filmmaking but in a way that almost makes them mundane, or every day. He turns these unreal places into real, lived-in worlds. That sort of ability, as well as his aesthetic leanings in films such as Prisoner of Azkaban or Children of Men, would make him the perfect fit for a Gotham by Gaslight adaption.
This comic story saw Batman set during the turn of the century, tracking down Jack the Ripper. Elseworld stories could be the next direction for comic book filmmaking, and this could be the one to push it over the edge.
David Fincher - Lex Luthor
A Lex Luthor solo film seems like a logical next step for DC after the success of Joker. Luthor is certainly one of the most iconic villains in their repertoire, yet he has not received a true proper film portrayal.
Perhaps David Fincher could really capture it. We imagine a pseudo-Social Network corporate drama (but absent of Jesse Eisenberg). Show the slow rise of this villain as he grows to despise superman and other meta-beings
Steven Spielberg - Superman: Red Son
Spielberg has yet to direct a superhero film, but his influence can certainly be felt in many of them. Perhaps the closest we have ever gotten was the early Superman films, what with the John Williams score and Richard Donner’s direction.
But, maybe Spielberg could take a Superman project in an unexpected direction. His understanding and interest in the history of the 20th century would make him a perfect fit for an adaption of Red Son, an Elseworlds comic that asks the questions: What if Superman grew up in the USSR? He could redefine and remind us why we love Superman, while still revolutionizing the property.
