Marvel Studios’ first two phases are over, and now we wait for the beginning of Marvel Studios’ Phase Three, which begins with Captain America: Civil War. But we are yet to hear from Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios about a crucial position in the production of a number of films: Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Inhumans. Let’s try to fill those director’s chairs!
At Disney’s D23 EXPO it was finally revealed that Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tilda Swinton are, indeed, to play Baron Karl Mordo and The Ancient One, respectively. Thus the Marvel Studios films of 2016 have gotten their fair share of announcements, all of which have been exciting.
But we’ve yet to hear who’s directing Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and Inhumans. This post will take the first two films and suggest directors for them, and who knows, we might get something right. Then next week, I’ll do the same with Captain Marvel and Inhumans.
Thor: Ragnarok – November 2017
So, I loved the original Thor, but was, honestly, really disappointed with the sequel. I really really want Kenneth Branagh back, but recently Kevin Feige rejected the rumors that said Branagh was returning to the franchise. So, who could be the director of Ragnarok?
Alan Taylor directed The Dark World, and could easily take the reigns of the franchise yet again – I don’t really want that though. My second suggestion is Andrew Adamson. Adamson has been mostly inactive as a director since directing 2012’s Cirque du Soleil: World’s Away, but is known for directing Shrek. The reason I’m suggesting Adamson, though, is the fact that he’s handled similar world’s well.
Adamson directed both The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe and its sequel Prince Caspian, and I think he’d be an easy fit as director for this Marvel Studios property. My final Ragnarok suggestion is Nicolas Winding Refn. The Danish director is known for his three Pusher-films in Denmark, but people outside of Scandinavia might recognize him more as the director of the excellent drama-film Drive – starring Ryan Gosling.
Winding Refn might, however, be considered a hit-and-miss director, with Bronson and Drive being considered good, and Valhalla Rising and Only God Forgives not being considered as stellar as the former two. However, if I were to choose one of these directors, then I’d go for Nicolas Winding Refn.
Black Panther – July 2018
Chadwick Boseman is our Black Panther, one of the best superheroes not to have had a big screen adaptation yet. For a while, it looked like Ava DuVernay was to direct this film, but that deal ended up not being made due to creative differences. While I would’ve loved DuVernay as the director, I guess I’m going to have to give you three other options.
Straight Outta Compton is a hit that’s just a fact, and the director of that film, F. Gary Gray, has been discussed as a possible director of this film. It would be amazing if that happened, as he is an amazingly experienced director. Speaking of experience, Ernest R. Dickerson is as experienced as directors come. It does not matter that Dickerson is known as a TV-director, for I think this job could elevate him, while still being an easy fit for Marvel Studios.
My final suggestion is Brian Helgeland. Helgeland is best known as the director of A Knight’s Tale and 42, the latter of which actually stars Chadwick Boseman. There are two reasons why Marvel Studios should take him in: 1) he’s familiar with Black Panther‘s star, and 2) his new movie Legend, starring Tom Hardy, has a lot of great buzz around it, and if that film’s a hit, then he might be tough to get hold of. If I were to decide, then I’d pick Dickerson.
What are your suggestions? Sound off in the comments!
I’m Jeffrey Rex
I'm Jeffrey Rex 