Who should direct 'Iron Man 3'?
Who is hero enough for that job?
Who's hero enough?
With Jon Favreau officially moving on to 'The Magic Kingdom,' Marvel's going to need to hire a filmmaker to bring 'Iron Man 3' to the bigscreen. Early talk has the film positioned as a sequel to 'Thor' and 'Captain America' and 'The Avengers,' the film where Marvel will start to lay the groundwork for whatever big story they're going to tell next with these characters. That's a lot of groundwork for any film to cover, so they're going to need someone who can play well with Robert Downey Jr. and the rest of this ever-growing ensemble.
But mainly Downey.
After all, he's the star of the show, the lynchpin of the Marvel Universe so far. His charisma set the tone that seems to be the guiding influence on each new film as they come together. Who has the cred to make the geek nation happy up front, keep Downey happy on the set, and deliver a movie that keeps all the various Marvel franchises chugging along while actually making something good at the same time?
Who is hero enough for that job? HitFix has come up with a list of possible men and women for the job. See what you think.
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December 16, 2010 at 6:01PM EST Reply to CommentChrist, I hope it's not Ritchie-- that Sherlock Holmes film was an abomination. I like the idea of Bigelow, but I don't see it happening. But Drew, I think you're missing the most obvious choice-- Joss Whedon. I mean, they will have already shot The Avengers at that point, and if Whedon knows he has the Iron Man 3 job going into it, he can build certain framework into The Avengers. That's the kind of thing Whedon loves to do; plus he works well with ensembles, comic book type characters, and, in general, those kinds of structural challengers. Since he already has The Avengers, it would make a lot of sense on the studio's part to lock him in to an IM sequel now. There could even be some bleed in the shooting schedules that might save some bucks.
drew Won't work. Whedon's schedule on "The Avengers" will overlap too much with the way Marvel has these scheduled. That's the reason I didn't include Whedon, who I agree is an obvious possibility.
December 16, 2010 at 6:21PM ESTDryden
December 16, 2010 at 6:10PM EST Reply to CommentWhat they really need is to get a good writer working on a script long before they start shooting. And maybe a strong executive producer to keep the "special guest stars" working and professional while on set. Favreau didn't have either and look how IM2 turned out. That's a bigger worry than whoever Downey picks to stand behind the camera on the next one.
George
December 16, 2010 at 6:26PM EST Reply to CommentI don't think experience is an issue with any of these candidates. Favreau didn't have it - I suppose Zathura had a lot of effects but not to the scope of Iron Man. Plus it barely made half its money back. Marvel's made some ballsy choices with directors and it usually pays off. They wisely go with directors who are good with actors and can bring the best out of the drama of the story. Otherwise just hire Michael Bay full time to do them all.
There's a pattern with superhero movies - relatively untested directors have done amazing things - Bryan Singer, Christopher Nolan, Sam Raimi, and of course Favreau.
Of this list I'd lean towards Reeves. Only because I think Wright and Blomkamp should be blessing us with their own movies and not step into a franchise.
joshmassey
December 16, 2010 at 6:45PM EST Reply to CommentYou know who would be a ballsy, awesome choice? MEL GIBSON. The guy is one of the best pure action directors alive, he'd bring a much-needed dark side to the series, and him and Downey go way back (Air America, The Singing Detective).
MP
December 16, 2010 at 7:06PM EST Reply to CommentGet a documentary director like Martin Pitts. The franchise needs a completely new look.
dan MP - I assume "MP" stands for Martin Pitts? Sure! Why not?
December 16, 2010 at 7:19PM EST-Daniel
December 16, 2010 at 7:07PM EST Reply to CommentWhat about Alfonso Cuaron? He and Downey were just trying to work together on Gravity, a big budget sci fi action film that he is trying to get funded. He's proven he can nail creating science fiction worlds with Children of Men, and delivered Harry Potter 3 for Warner Brothers, a crucial transition for that series into darker material.
December 16, 2010 at 7:29PM EST Reply to Commentdamn it, why isn't joe carnahan in the mix
December 16, 2010 at 11:48PM ESTJohn W
December 16, 2010 at 7:53PM EST Reply to CommentIt's amazing the hole that Downey has dug himself out of. If you had asked me several years ago that he would be the hottest male actor in Hollywood today I would have laughed.
I would love to see any of those mentioned direct IM3.
Mr_Luthor
December 16, 2010 at 9:13PM EST Reply to CommentThis is why I say no "perfect for the comedy tone that Favreau set with the first two movies." The comedy tone Farvreau was able to bring to life was based on the chemistry of the characters from the Comic Book, not something he intentionally inserted. He along with most of the cast really understood their characters it wasn't some artificially inserted joke. As has been seen in his above mentioned movies.
December 16, 2010 at 9:24PM EST Reply to CommentA good choice for a movie involving a single character but will Robert Downey Jr. like him? At the end of the day he has become the flagship for everything Marvel and movies right now. His alter ego even taking the lead position in the new Avengers animated series, can Peter Berg handle the momentum of this character without getting lost in special effects a big budget and his own artistic freedoms.
December 16, 2010 at 9:28PM EST Reply to Comment50/50 . . . .I'd like to see her direct another superhero, sci-fi or other movie of this genre first before she tackles Iron Man or any other property or this caliber.
December 16, 2010 at 9:35PM EST Reply to CommentI'm 75/25 on this District 9 was amazing. I loved every minute of it so we know he can do big things with several pieces and keep our chins on the floor. But I don't see him handling Iron Man with the same finesse, I could honestly picture Neill Blomkamp handling the X-Men, Sub Mariner, or even Robotech.
December 16, 2010 at 9:39PM EST Reply to CommentI can't see this at all I'm 30/70, so far Mr. Green has not proven he can hand a property of this size. Yes he makes me laugh, but Iron Man is not a stoner Comedy. If he wants to do a super hero movie this one is not it. Wow me with something in the future.
December 16, 2010 at 9:44PM EST Reply to Comment75/25 . . Snatch, Sherlock Holmes, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. I own all of these and I love to watch them, his characters all have swagger. . Sherlock Holes, Mickey One Punch, Big Chris. These characters were the biggest thing in their scenes but were never bigger than the whole movie. I think he'd do well with the franchise but can he play nice with Disney?
December 16, 2010 at 9:48PM EST Reply to Comment50/50 No one knows Iron Man like Iron Man, that's true, but C'mon let's really look at Iron Man. Would Robert Downey Jr. turn out to be as much Tony Stark in front of the camera as he would be behind it. Then again he could handle this with the care of Eastwood and Gran Torino who knows. He's a wild card.
December 16, 2010 at 10:25PM EST Reply to CommentShane Black would be so fuckin' awesome. Peter Berg and Guy Ritchie? Blegh!!!!
Mulderism
December 16, 2010 at 11:38PM EST Reply to CommentI'd like to see one of my favorite directors tackle it (or any superhero flick): Paul Thomas Anderson or David Fincher.
On the other hand, Marvel will cut so many corners that they may as well get Brett Ratner to get it out on time and on budget.
Mulderism Or hell, what about Quentin Tarantino? That would be interesting to say the least...
December 16, 2010 at 11:47PM EST
December 16, 2010 at 11:53PM ESTWhat about QT?...Well, I for one would never trade a brand new Tarantino original for a Tarantino-made "Iron Man 3", it would be a shame -- the guy's just too unique to waste creative energy on a franchise flick.
Mulderism Agreed. Still I would be interested in either of their takes on the material if they had *complete* creative control.
December 17, 2010 at 2:47AM ESTevan
December 16, 2010 at 11:42PM EST Reply to Comment...Yes, I would easily bet against the singular star of a major movie this size, with this many moving parts, to objectively make a film that is the best possible sum of its parts -- especially when said star is as famously mercurial, scattered and downright flaky as RDJ...
Edgar Wright is best-suited to the jobat hand and the best fit for the Marvel 'family' of filmmakers, I think. Clearly Marvel likes him, holding him engaged as a card in their hand even though Ant Man is going nowhere fast on his way to the screen. Giving "Iron Man 3" to Wright seems like a no-brainer now.
December 17, 2010 at 2:50AM EST Reply to CommentHasn't Edgar Wright gone on record saying that he wants to finish his trilogy with Pegg and Frost first? Would that leave him enough time for IM3?
Also, you say Peter Berg's Hancock was the most successful original superhero movie of all time... but how much of that was due to Peter Berg? The film was just a vehicle for Will smith and was sold solely on his name too, from the trailers to the poster.
Some of the choices on here are just wish-fulfilment, although it would be awesome if IRON MAN 3's trailer ended with "Directed by Kathryn Bigelow / Edgar Wright".
My pick from this lot would be Guy Ritchie.