Warner Brothers is currently assembling an impressive roster of talent to help shape their budding DC Cinematic Universe. With Zack Snyder basically being the Kevin Feige of the DCCU, he will steer the ship, if you will, by having control over the biggest films in the franchise, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and the two part Justice League film. He may also return for Man of Steel 2, but that remains to be seen. Patty Jenkins is taking on Wonder Woman, James Wan will make sure that no one laughs at Aquaman anymore, David Ayer will show the bad side of justice in Suicide Squad, and Ben Affleck will tackle the Batman’s first DCCU solo outing. With this amazing roster of talent, fans have a lot to be excited about. The DC Cinematic Universe is more tangible than ever, and with so many upcoming and potential projects, I decided to fan cast my ideal directors for them.
The Flash-George Miller: What can I say about George Miller and Mad Max: Fury Road that hasn't already been said? It’s an perfect film, and contains some of the best action I’ve ever seen in a film. It was inventive, innovative, and just plain fun. That’s why I think Miller is the perfect guy to helm the Scarlet Speedster’s first film. With the Flash show currently blowing fans’ minds every week, you need some serious talent to set your film aside from that show. And who better to do that than the guy who gave us the Road Warrior and Mad Max: Fury Road? The idea of a Flash vs Reverse Flash fight scene, with a feature film budget, directed by George Miller, is enough to get any fan excited.
Cyborg-Christopher McQuarrie: With Mission Impossible 5 set to be released later this summer, McQuarrie’s name is a big one in Hollywood. After giving us the extremely fun action flick Jack Reacher (Which was way better than anyone expected), his urban-spy style and sense of action would make him the perfect man to direct the movie that nobody really expected would happen, and many are still unsure about.
Green Lantern Corps-Brad Bird: Currently working on the Incredibles 2, Brad Bird is returning to the world that made him one of Hollywood’s most sought after directors. Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol showed that not only is he a master of animated movies, but he can make damn good live action ones as well. He is great at handling teams of superheroes, and he would be able to balance the personalities of Hal Jordan, Jon Stewart, and possibly Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, and Simon Baz.
Shazam-Michael Dougherty: Trick ‘r Treat is one of the most fun films you will ever see. It’s wickedly clever and satisfyingly creepy. Dougherty has proved that he can take a horror film, keep the tone intact, but still be able to have fun with the film. I have faith that he could take the super serious tone that the DCCU seems to have, and inject a little bit more levity and fun into it with Shazam.
Green Arrow-Edgar Wright: Yes, the CW show Arrow is still going strong into its 4th season, but the Flash show hasn’t stopped Warner Brothers from developing the movie. Wright’s witty sense of humor and mastery of fast paced action sequences makes him the perfect choice to helm a film featuring the Emerald Archer. Not only that, but his style would set the film far enough apart from the show that people wouldn’t compare the two.
Dr. Fate-Ron Howard: I am basing this choice primarily on his work adapting the Dan Brown novels (the Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons). Howard showed that not only can he handle serious solid characterization and drama, but the man can shoot a damn good action sequence, too. He would be able to explore the mythology of the helmet of Fate and make the general public interested in a virtually unknown character.
Blue Beetle/Booster Gold-Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg: A team up film between the two superhero best friends is bound to have its fair share of comedy, and this directing duo certainly has a handle on that. This is the End also featured great action sequences, which makes them great candidates for this team up film. With the right writers and producers to keep them in check, they could deliver a very different type of superhero film.
Deathstroke-James DeMonaco: The director of the Purge and its sequel has certainly proved that he can direct suspenseful action scenes. The tone of those films would fit right in with the adventures of the world’s deadliest assassin, and it wouldn’t be too off from the tone of Suicide Squad, which Deathstroke will almost-certainly be referenced in.
Constantine-Cary Fukunaga: Fans were recently disappointed by the NBC series, given that it didn’t nearly live up to its potential. Who better to properly adapt the Hellblazer comics than the man responsible for the first season of True Detective, one of the darkest, most unique shows in television history. He could take John Constantine, and really do the character and his adventures justice, taking the fans on a creepy, disturbing roller coaster of a movie.
Swamp Thing-Fede Alvarez: Speaking of Vertigo characters, Swamp Thing is long overdue for a proper adaptation. Yes, the Wes Craven movie was fun, but we’ve never truly seen Swamp Thing on the big screen. Fede Alvarez demonstrated his talents for directing eerie, disturbing material with the 2013 Evil Dead remake.
Teen Titans-Matt Reeves: Yes, the property is currently being developed for TNT, but who knows if that will even come to fruition? They’ve certainly been talking about it long enough. With last year’s masterpiece, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Reeves cemented himself as one of Hollywood’s biggest science fiction directors of the new generation. His filmmaking style easily lends itself to the adventures of the Titans.
Martian Manhunter-Damien Chazelle: With Whiplash, Chazelle showed us how good he is at getting inside of a character’s head. That is something that is absolutely essential for Martian Manhunter. The audience needs to know his pain of being an outcast, and the sorrow of being the last of his race.
Hawkman-Neill Blomkamp: Currently working on Alien 5, Blomkamp proved himself to science fiction fans everywhere with District 9. His brutal, in your face style of directing action sequences lends itself perfectly to Hawkman.
Jonah Hex-David Fincher: Let’s face it: It’s gonna be a loooong time before Warner Brothers gives Jonah Hex another shot, if ever. But if there’s one man who could pull it off, it’s David Fincher. Each one of his films features dark and tormented characters, and the tone also reflects that. He could get inside Jonah’s head, and help the audience understand why he is so tormented. Plus, films like Se7en and the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo more than showcase his talent at handling dark, disturbing subject matter.