As much as we hate to say it, Christopher Nolan has ended his tenure in the Batman universe, and while we can all appreciate the work he has done his films have set the bar very high for whoever decides to try their hand at another series for the Caped Crusader.
With that being said, I got to thinking – who could be that person? What director can try to match the brilliance of Nolan’s films? Can anybody? Is it possible?
I have picked 5 directors who I believe have the chops to make this happen. Some are a little outside the box, and some are obvious. So let’s get started.
5. DAVID YATES
David Yates has gained prominence as the director of the last 4 HARRY POTTER films, and using those as an example, he’s definitely a contender to take on a project as ambitious as BATMAN.
First of all, the action sequences in those films are shot so well that you would think Yates has handled a blockbuster film before. In fact, HARRY POTTER was the director’s first foray into large-scale filmmaking. He also focuses a lot on the characters, and really, that is the kind of director that should be doing BATMAN.
Now, after the conclusion of the Potterverse, Yates’ name has popped up as a top choice for almost every planned tentpole picture on most studio dockets. Ironically, one of the most consistently tossed around projects is the rumored JUSTICE LEAGUE film. So if that comes to fruition, we’ll see how well Yates can deliver on the legend that is Batman.
4. GUILLERMO DEL TORO
Now this one should seem rather obvious. When you make a film about a dark knight, you hire a dark filmmaker. Del Toro has been a staple in the fanboy canon since his breakout film THE DEVIL’S BACKBONE first appeared on the scene.
Ever since he has been churning out consistently mind-blowing films like PAN’S LABYRINTH, and shepherding projects like THE ORPHANAGE and SPLICE. Perhaps his most notable credentials are his contributions to the comic book film pantheon, HELLBOY and HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY, and BLADE 2. Del Toro did a fantastic job of sticking to the real substance behind the characters in both films while incorporating his own unique style. He’s so trusted within the studio system, that he was director Peter Jackson’s first choice to direct THE HOBBIT.
Unfortunately that didn’t pan out and Del Toro was forced to leave the project. One can assume he would have really done something special though. When thinking of what he could do with Gotham City and the rogue’s gallery of villains within the Batman world, I can’t imagine anybody more exciting than this guy.
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