James Gunn will direct both The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, marking the first time any director worked on both a Marvel and DC film at the same time. It may seem unsurprising that a Marvel director crossed over to work on a DC film. After all, numerous actors have worked on films coming out of both studios. However, the crossover appeal of both indicates that Marvel does not mind its actors playing it both ways. A director does not have to swear fealty to Marvel or DC. They can swing both ways.
Knowing this, what other Marvel directors could work on a DC film? What other creatives can offer the world of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman a breath of new, creative ideas.
Joe Johnson - Superman
Superman is one of the icons of DC, yet, following the Zack Snyder films, audiences seem mixed on the Man of Steel. Following Shazam, it’s clear WB wants to go in a different direction with Superman, which makes it clear someone needs to take up the reins.
Joe Johnson helped pick up Captain America, a character audiences knew little about, and turned him into the face of the MCU. He could do wonders with the Man of Tomorrow.
Shane Black - Nightwing
Shane Black is known for snarky characters looking easy and confident in the face of danger. For a character like Nightwing, this approach can be instrumental.
Mainstream audiences see Dick Grayson as just Robin. Whatever film attempts to reinvent the teenage hero into his own man will need a deft, stylish touch. Who better than someone like Shane Black? In any event, if Black did handle the film, fans can look forward to a random Robert Downey Jr. cameo.
Anna Boden - Batgirl
Captain Marvel is one of the most financially successful films in the MCU. It seems fitting that one of its director, Anna Boden, would bring one of the most noteworthy female superheroes to life right after.
Joss Whedon was initially brought on to work on Batgirl, but Boden appears way more capable of bringing a deeply personal story to life. Captain Marvel captured a sincerely intimate portrait of its title character. Batgirl, being more down-to-earth, will play to Boden’s strengths as a storyteller.
Jon Watts - Teen Titans
Jon Watts brought audiences Spider-Man Homecoming and will be bringing audiences Spider-Man: Far From Home. His strength appears to be bringing an authentic portrait of teenage life and superhero antics to life.
Watts can perfectly balance the teenage drama between the titular heroes, as well as offer audiences something truly powerful and action-packed. If anything, it would be incredible to see some of the more goofy moments that made Homecoming such a beloved film.
Scott Derrickson - John Constantine
Derrickson, before directing Doctor Strange, was famous for his work on horror films – Sinister being the most noteworthy. If Derrickson brings his horror pedigree to the DCEU, we might finally get the perfect John Constantine film.
A hard-R, disturbing look at demons, and Matt Ryan in the film with Derrickson’s horrific direction behind the camera. That’s all it would take to create arguably the most frightening superhero film ever made.
Jon Favreau - The Flash
The Flash film has been notoriously troubled behind the scenes. No one can seem to get this film to work. So why not throw in Jon Favreau, the director who brought the notoriously troubled Iron Man together, in turn making one of the most beloved superhero films of all time.
Is Favreau perfect for The Flash? That’s uncertain. He could do a great Booster Gold film, too. But the fact is that, given this film’s troubled production, it seems like he might be the only guy who can make The Flash work – and not only that, but work well.
Joe & Anthony Russo - Justice League
The Justice League film was already reshot by an Avengers director. Why not bring in the others to do the job right?
While the Russos are definitely big on ensemble stories where every character feels valuable and important to the plot. Given the epic scale of a potential Justice League film, the Russos could help reinvent the DCEU like they did to the MCU, giving each character a connection that emphasizes their positives rather than making them feel bland and unremarkable.
Ryan Coogler - Cyborg
Cyborg is not a film WB seems keen on making. There has been next to no word on its creation or development. However, should a visionary director work on it, Cyborg could become one of the most terrific characters in the DCEU.
Ryan Coogler helped bring Wakanda to the screen – but he also did wonders for Creed. No one was expecting a Rocky sequel after Rocky Balboa, let alone one that opened the door for a greater series to follow. Coogler could do the same for Cyborg, since no one expects a Cyborg film to launch a franchise. He could do wonders.
Kenneth Branagh - Atlantis vs. Themyscira
Kenneth Branagh cut his teeth adapting Shakespeare plays. While his adaptation of Thor was alright (not as good as Waititi’s Thor: Ragnorak), Branagh is famous for his ability to tell stories of an epic scale. And what more epic story than a story that pits Atlantis and Themyscira?
Let Branagh go all out. Let this crossover between DC’s two biggest worlds go insane. Let him deal with Shakespearean character arcs and epic insanity. They let James Wan go nuts with Aquaman. Let Branagh go nuts with this.
Taika Waititi - Green Lantern Corps
Arguably, the most urgent project that needs to get made. Waititi’s wild aesthetic brought a new shade of the MCU’s cosmic universe to life. He was able to do so much with Thor Ragnorak.
Imagine him bringing to life the wild insanity of the Green Lanterns. The first film felt too safe, avoiding the truly wild material. But with Waititi at the helm, the film could descend into absolute chaos and madness. It could very well be the most entertaining film in the potential DCEU.
