Darren Aronofsky Joins Ranks of Possible Directors for THE MAN OF STEEL

slice_darren_aronofsky_superman

It seems as if Darren Aronofsky is the latest to join The Man of Steel directorial sweepstakes being conducted by producer Christopher Nolan. Last week, we reported that Tony Scott, Matt Reeves, Jonathan Liebesman, Duncan Jones, and Zack Snyder were meeting with Nolan as potential candidates to helm the David Goyer script. Today, sources are claiming that Nolan and wife/co-producer Emma Thomas have also been in touch with Aronofsky regarding the empty director’s chair.

At first glance, an Aronofsky/Nolan team-up is certainly an intriguing one in that each is an incredibly talented filmmaker known for his own auteur creative style. Hit the jump for more on the story including why their greatest assets may be more curse than gift in this particular scenario.

The lead on Aronofsky’s potential involvement with The Man of Steel comes courtesy of 24 Frames. The blog is quick to point out that, while successful, both Aronofsky and Nolan have earned the title of “strong-willed auteur.” Ultimately, neither director has shown great interest in, or a glaring necessity for, working in tandem with other visions outside of their own. As such, I would be interested in seeing their co-op if for no other reason than seeing each filmmaker out of his “comfort zone.”

Finally, I have no doubts that Aronofsky is capable of creating a Superman flick that is set within the modern context Nolan has expressed his desire to create while also capturing the fantastical elements that make up Kal-El’s mythology. Thus, if I have a choice of directors (Note: I don’t. Chris Nolan wouldn’t ask for my advice in regards to lunch.), I’m going to go with Aronofsky.

What are your thoughts on who should lead The Man of Steel alongside Nolan? Let us know in the comments. Aronofsky’s Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis, opens December 1st.

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Havoc

I would LOVE a Nolan/Aronofsky Team up, but if I have to choose from the original 5 I would say Zack Snyder.
Havoc

I would LOVE a Nolan/Aronofsky Team up, but if I have to choose from the original 5 I would say Zack Snyder.
Anonymous

I wouldn’t mind Aronofsky at all. BUt I still have to go with TONY SCOTT. But if I had a choice I would give it to Edgar Wright. Screw Ant-Man. Imagine what he could do with THE MAN OF STEEL. Plus he needs a box office hit.
Dark Knight01

I still prefer Snyder overall. I don’t see Nolan and Darren making a good team.

Snyders’ talent with visuals and intense action mixed with Nolans’ talent with storytelling and characterizations would make a DREAM TEAM and give us a great Superman film, that we have been longing to see for quite some time!
- http://www.collider.com Jason Barr
  
  I agree with your stance on Snyder.
  
  Next to Aronofsky, Snyder would be my second choice of those mentioned thus far.
- CL
  
  That’s an interesting take on Team Synder position. I would love for that to happen too but something tells me it won’t be that easy. I can’t confidently say just because Nolan is involved that Snyder’s story and character talents will improve. In a perfect world, if that can happen; that would be one awesome Superman movie.
- Anonymous
  
  That is a good point. I think visually Snyder is above the rest. But I would go with one of the other guys because story wise they have had the better movies. Sans Matt Reeves, Cloverfield sucked.
  I like Snyder but my biggest complaint about him is that he IS all visual. But like you said if he teamed up with a great storyteller like NOLAN then maybe it would be a match made in heaven.
  I loved WATCHMEN. To me that is probably Snyder’s best film. Because of the story and the character development. Yeah I said story.
Project 86

Darren’s style is not suited for superman might as well go ask david fincher to do superman

he has a dark/gritty style that better suits someone like daredevil
- sense11
  
  Don’t knock it until you try it. Its a reboot, Nolan is going for something completely new. If you want to see the old style in a modern context, watch Smallville or the great failure known as Superman Returns.
  - jonathan
    
    you are a great failure. go play in traffic you opinion is worthless because you don’t back it up with facts nor a valid arguement.
  - sense11
    
    Don’t need to back up anything, the truth is on DVD and available for everyone to see.
    “Superman VS Lex Luthor’s Real Estate Scam and The Super Baby Mama Drama” was not very enjoyable. Deal with It
  - Anonymous
    
    Superman Returns wasn’t a failure. It just photocopied the original. Except for Supes having a kid.
    But yeah, “Superman vs. Lex Luthor’s Real Estate Scam” was the same as the original. Did you hate the original too?
  - sense11
    
    You’d be surprised what a difference a good director makes. That’s the main reason the first Superman is so good.
  - beavis
    
    Hmm, have to say I and many other enjoyed Supes returns. it made more than it cost… subsequently enjoyment by some + return on capital = not a falure
  - beavis
    
    Hmm, have to say I and many other enjoyed Supes returns. it made more than it cost… subsequently enjoyment by some + return on capital = not a falure
  - Beaugeste2280
    
    I don’t know why some people are down on Superman Returns. Superman Returns was a perfect Superman movie to honor the late Christopher Reeve who was and will always remain the best and greatest representation of the Man of Steel from the comics and just how everyone thought he should be and even the replacement they chose to play Superman did fantastic job and Superman Returns even though it resembled the others was much darker and serious the previous. Though i am only recognizing Superman 1 and 2, the others don’t exist cept for Superman Returns being the Third.
  - Mikeyike24
    
    Superman Returns was ligit it had Kevin Spacey for cryin out loud. It also got pretty good ratings on rotten tomatoes and made a lot of money so saying its a failure is a bit strong.
  - Mikeyike24
    
    Superman Returns was ligit it had Kevin Spacey for cryin out loud. It also got pretty good ratings on rotten tomatoes and made a lot of money so saying its a failure is a bit strong.
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Bigfiction

Clearly Nolan is trying to steer The Man of Steel into an even more psychological place than we have seen before. His comments about “modern context” and staying true to the essence of Superman as he was originally conceived, means to me, that the flick we will get is going to show Supes TODAY but with a history stretching as far back as the comics themselves. As a living legend from depression-era America, and the poster boy for the “Greatest Generation”, a politically divided country like ours now would either unite under him or bicker and scheme for his vote. I don’t see how Aronofsky isn’t the best choice for this. Superman as a omnipotent and indestructible action hero is out of steam. The action is important, more so than Singer demonstrated, but the spectacle surrounding his abilities is only ever going to be as grand as the reasons he uses them. Aronofsky is an ideal pick for grounding the action in a authentic emotional state and focusing it with a strong psychological perspective. The Man of Steel needs to refer not just to his physical gifts, but his constitution, however they present it, as well.
- Anonymous
  
  Agree.
- zz
  
  Very well said Big. My thinking is we’ve had enough Man of Steel movies which didn’t greatly change in form. I think you are right that Aronofsky would bring a good focus on more of a psycological perspective. He is also good at getting straight into the heart of things, and not relaxing things till the end. Still he seems to be best on things with a little dark side. I think I’d rather see him doing a Batman, than a Superman, but it might be interesting to see what haunts the omnipotent. Of course I haven’t seen a Superman movie for awhile simply because I’ve always found them kind of repetitous. If Aronofsky directs I’ll see it just because I like his movies.
Bigfiction

Clearly Nolan is trying to steer The Man of Steel into an even more psychological place than we have seen before. His comments about “modern context” and staying true to the essence of Superman as he was originally conceived, means to me, that the flick we will get is going to show Supes TODAY but with a history stretching as far back as the comics themselves. As a living legend from depression-era America, and the poster boy for the “Greatest Generation”, a politically divided country like ours now would either unite under him or bicker and scheme for his vote. I don’t see how Aronofsky isn’t the best choice for this. Superman as a omnipotent and indestructible action hero is out of steam. The action is important, more so than Singer demonstrated, but the spectacle surrounding his abilities is only ever going to be as grand as the reasons he uses them. Aronofsky is an ideal pick for grounding the action in a authentic emotional state and focusing it with a strong psychological perspective. The Man of Steel needs to refer not just to his physical gifts, but his constitution, however they present it, as well.
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sense11

You cant see me right now but I’m shedding some tears of happiness right now. I think this would be an amazing mind blowing scenario. Fuck yea i approve.
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Rockybalboa2486

Edgar Wright ftw, Aronofsky too good for Superman
Rockybalboa2486

Edgar Wright ftw, Aronofsky too good for Superman
AngelosL

Snyder is visually above Aronovsky and Nolan? That’s one of the most absurd things I’ve ever red on the internet…What are your favorite movies anyway? I bet you think movies like the Godfather sucks and your favorites are Triple X and Fast and Furious…
- Dr Valiannt
  
  Tiple X and Fat and Furious are two of the most important movies to come in the last 50 years. They’re both studies on how far an actor’s career can devolve.
Beaugeste2280

Nolan discussed cutting supermans powers way down and taking his ability to fly away and super speed and although I know thats how he started, thats not how people remember and know Superman as being! They talk about making the character feel more human, but he’s not and running out of enemies for him to fight because he’s so strong but thats not true because there are hundreds literally of great villains for Superman to fight and why not make a Superman Doomsday Two Part Movie.
- e4
  
  I’ve been a Superman fan for 40 years. If they cut his powers and turn him into something less than the character is suppose to be (a wimp), most Superman Fans will not go see the movie.
Davey

Zack Snyder’s films are hateful, racist, homophobic trash.
Psur1107

I actually think Paul Greengrass would add the realism that Nolan is looking for.

I am NOT in favor of either Scott brother being anywhere near this project. They seem to have a competition as to who can do the most quick cuts in a movie. It is really getting annoying.
Tylerstravis

I am against Darren. He is one of my favorite directors working today, and I feel like his talent would be wasted by making a superman movie. I find superman to be one of the most boring superheroes out there.
AKSchampion

Honestly, I think Aronofsky is kind of a hack director. He made 2 great films, a good film, and a pretentious mindfuck waste of time of a film (The Wrestler, Pi; Requiem for a Dream; The Fountain). And the only reason the two great ones were great is the story. He should be a screenwriter. Requiem was good for it’s “realism”, but again, without a real vision as a director, the movie faltered. I don’t think he’s generally BAD, but whenever I see his movies, I just see an amalgamate of David Lynch, Francis Coppola and George Roy Hill. Nothing original… Now if he and Nolan wrote the screenplay together and Matt Reeves or Duncan Jones were to direct (both the only other people on the list who have any sort of grasp of film language) then we might just have a powerhouse on our hands. Otherwise, I’m not even interested in seeing it.
M.J.

What an awful, stupid idea from the self-annointed keeper of superhero movies (because he made one good movie about a guy who dresses like a bat). “Superman” needs the light touch of Donner or even (dare I say it?) Lester, and there are no directors working today who can convey that simultaneous sense of epic adventure AND humor. “Superman” needs an un-ironic, wholehearted sense of Americana and patriotism. He was a character designed to inspire people who were feeling hopeless.

Taking this in the “origins” direction, bringing a needlessly dark and angry tone to it, appealing to sarcasm-laden, Kevin-Smith-loving comic-book nerds … that’s just not what “Superman” is about. Nor is it, you’d think WB would have learned after “Watchmen,” “Kick-Ass” and “Jonah Hex,” what mass audiences want.

To turn “Superman” into a massive film event for a new generation, it needs to stick to the cornball-but-effective concepts of “truth, justice and the American Way,” present a clean-cut, wholesome hero, and be a movie that revels in its movieness. Not a self-conscious smug-fest made by “film” lovers. There’s a big difference. Go watch the unimprovable 1978 Donner version to see exactly what it needs to be.
- Kitsunekiddo
  
  “To turn “Superman” into a massive film event for a new generation, it needs to stick to the cornball-but-effective concepts of “truth, justice and the American Way,” present a clean-cut, wholesome hero, and be a movie that revels in its movieness.”
  
  Sorry, but we don’t live in that world anymore. How regressive would that be? I agree that Superman is a uniquely American figure, and that should be a necessary element in the new material- no matter what direction or tone they chose.
  
  But if you’re talking about a film that will actually connect with American audiences, that will offer some genuine national catharsis? Then expect one pissed off Superman- “vengeful God” Superman. You’re right, people are hopeless right now. Give them- as you say “cornball,” and people will pay to see it once, buy some popcorn, and never look at it again. The image of Superman you imagine from the past was fine for his era- and the core of that character should be preserved. But people- and the way people understand themselves in the world, and how they perceive conflict in that world is different now- Superman ought to change accordingly or he’ll be irrelevant.
  
  It would require talents like Aronofsky’s and Nolan’s to lay the psychological groundwork necessary for this new Superman and his battles to have any real resonance with audiences.
Joe

Snyder’s visual style is more suited to a superhero film as opposed to aronovsky. I loved requiem for a dream and pi but I’m definatly more intrigued by a Snyder/Nolan team up on this one. If Nolan and Aronovsky did more of a psychological thriller i would be excited.
Pookie

Ask Spielberg when he is done with the Tintin movie. Peter Jackson would be great too…
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MDN7NC7FBSBHZDVKGFANHX6SJQ Cody k

I think that any of the directors whose names have been attached to this would be solid, although honestly (and I love his previous work) Aronofsky would be my last choice from the list. My only real need regarding this film is that they recast EVERYBODY. Brandon Routh failed utterly and completely both as Superman and (spoiler alert!) as Clark Kent; ditto Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. In fact, if the writers can avoid making this Yet Another Superman Movie With Lex Luthor As The Villain, I would be very happy. Didn’t Kevin Smith want to do something with Superman fighting a polar bear and a giant spider? That sounds pretty cool…..
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Nvppark

Give it back to Richard Donner…

And yes Superman Returns sucked.
- Angmal
  
  Spot on there. With Nolan steering the ship, he’s a safe choice, and Nolan is a big fan of Donner’s original, citing it as a big influence on how he approaches his Batman movies. At least, it’s a good example of the direction to go in; a talented, competent director (provided he has good material to work with), but malleable enough not to butt heads with his distinctive, strong-willed employer.
  
  I think another ‘auteur’ director will only clash with his producer and deliver a bit of a muddle, so as much as I like Aronofsky, this is a bad fit.
  
  On a separate note, does anyone else think that Jonathan Liebesman is only on the shortlist as a courtesy to Warners and Legendary as he’s working for them on Clash Of The Titans 2? I seriously doubt Nolan is a fan of this non-entity, but I can see why he would appreciate the work of Duncan Jones, for example. A similar stylistic sensibility, but with a lighter touch and keener sense of humour that would be appropriate for the likes of Superman.
- Angmal
  
  Spot on there. With Nolan steering the ship, he’s a safe choice, and Nolan is a big fan of Donner’s original, citing it as a big influence on how he approaches his Batman movies. At least, it’s a good example of the direction to go in; a talented, competent director (provided he has good material to work with), but malleable enough not to butt heads with his distinctive, strong-willed employer.
  
  I think another ‘auteur’ director will only clash with his producer and deliver a bit of a muddle, so as much as I like Aronofsky, this is a bad fit.
  
  On a separate note, does anyone else think that Jonathan Liebesman is only on the shortlist as a courtesy to Warners and Legendary as he’s working for them on Clash Of The Titans 2? I seriously doubt Nolan is a fan of this non-entity, but I can see why he would appreciate the work of Duncan Jones, for example. A similar stylistic sensibility, but with a lighter touch and keener sense of humour that would be appropriate for the likes of Superman.
Nvppark

Give it back to Richard Donner…

And yes Superman Returns sucked.
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Gerf

i thought his brother was directing this
MissKasara

Nolan and Aranofsky are two of my favorite directors. Having the two team up with Dave Goyer sounds like some sort of fantasy film geekery I might play at home with my friends. Superman, however, has always been my least favorite comic character. But if anyone can revive this franchise, it’s these guys. Put them to work. I’m curious to see the outcome.
MissKasara

Nolan and Aranofsky are two of my favorite directors. Having the two team up with Dave Goyer sounds like some sort of fantasy film geekery I might play at home with my friends. Superman, however, has always been my least favorite comic character. But if anyone can revive this franchise, it’s these guys. Put them to work. I’m curious to see the outcome.
Masood

i think Brandon Routh was perfect.Nolan should think of him too….
- Nathan
  
  Nope-he copied chris reeve-added nothing to the part at all!! yawn…
Misbah

I go for a Nolan/Wachowski combination. A great story and spectacular visual effects.
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Corral

I will never forgive Nolan if he gives the job to Tony Scott, after seeing his last few films, he’ll probably do the exact same thing with Superman. Quick cutting, random zoom-ins and outs, just overall incoherent bulls**t.
Cathallooby

I hope whoever gets it makes a fantastic Superman movie, thats all. Of all the super hero’s , this guy deserves only the best. Just my opinion lads.
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Ggo2588

anyone with half a brain would pick Zack Snyder. He is the only director that shows TRUE love for the source material and would do a great Superman film. I know he would keep the true spirit of Supeman intact. He is a true visionary, who has a beautiful and stunning visual style that fits perfectly with each movie he directs. A Snyder Superman would make all of us believe, that a man can fly…again.
Quidseeker

Ummm, it’s sad that Bryan Singer won’t return…..I kinda liked Superman Returns. But I guess everything nowadays has to be dark dark dark……..whatever. How about Alfonso Cuarón? Or George Lucas? Definitely NOT Tony Scott, not the right man.
Dragoon

Out of all these talented directors, I would say that Aronofsky has the best potential to direct a wonderful Superman movie. Considering that Nolan’s style is more crime/noir and that Aronofsky’s style is more of a stylistic blend of horror, fantasy, SF, and dark dramas, I would love to see how their styles could bleed into one another, if at all.
Jmarroquin95

As much as i love Aronofsky, his style would clash with Nolan. If the two do end up pairing up though the film will still be a success. Snyder does focus on effects so if Nolan pairs with him, the story could be advanced and it would be an excellent team, even if Snyder’s films alone are not that great. Still the best director for Superman is NOLAN, come on if Nolan puts all of his dark, story filled, complex character style in Superman like he did in the Dark Knight, it could be insane!
Heyagain7

aronofsky he is the most awake
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by Jason Barr Posted: September 27th, 2010 at 3:53 pm

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