Affleck to talk with Warners about directing JLA movie

[jimsmegos]

I read the title and was honestly expecting the first post to say "Bazinga."

No Ben... no.

[madmarva]

Hey Scott, I'm pretty sure Abrams has a production deal with Paramount and Singer is tied up with Fox. Doesn't mean it's impossible for them to be involved but unlikely.

Few have made a film of this magnitude much less one with multiple leads or co-stars, and I don't think guys like Cameron or Spielberg or Jackson are on the table. We know Whedon and Nolan aren't.

So I do think Warner Bros. will have to make a leap of faith with a director like it did with Nolan on Batman and Marvel did with Whedon on Avengers. Neither had worked on films as big as Batman Begins or Avengers until they did, although both had solid track records. Nolan more so on film than Whedon, although Whedon's TV success with Buffy proved he could make an ensemble work and also add humanity and humor to super-powered action.

After helming two major James Bond productions, Martin Campbell seemed a good fit for Green Lantern because he had been successful on a grand scale, but from the film, it appears he wasn't a good choice, although the script may have hogtied him. Singer is a fine director, but he botched Superman Returns, imo. On the surface, it's not a bad movie, but his choices weren't right for the character.

But based on Warner's track record with DC properties other than Batman, it's fair to question any decision the company makes about the director of the JLA film.

I was impressed with Affleck's ensemble direction with Gone Baby Gone and the The Town had solid action as well as solid performances by the principals, but I question if such a gritty or even grounded approach or tone is right for a Justice League movie. For a lack of a better term, the JLA are gods and should inspire hope rather than inflict fear. It's not The Watchmen or Authority or The Boys or even Batman.

Like Scott, I think Abrams would be excellent. Brad Bird's a favorite of mine after MI: Ghost Protocol and of course Incredibles and Iron Giant. Although his work is a bit dark, Del Toro would no doubt make a very interesting version.

But, I don't think Warner will be able to get the top line of directors for the JLA film because those directors have proven themselves and doing such a risky project might not be worth it to them unless Warners finds one with a true passion for making JLA. Non super hero geek directors might have a hard time with just the insanity of that much outlandish power in one film. I think that might have been an issue with Campbell on GL. I don't think he "believed" in the character, which again could go back to the script.

I think Warner will have to go with a director that has done good or even impressive work but has yet to prove him/herself on such a grand scale.

I could be totally wrong, though.

If I'd have been running Warners, I would have tried to throw so much money at Whedon that he couldn't possibly have turned it down. But I'm silly that way.

[Figuremod73]

Singer wouldnt be to bad if he has no control over the scripting, IMO.

[boynightwing]

Ben's a decent director. Although he's not doing the project now, I think he could have pulled it off.

[madmarva]

The Deadline story that reported Affleck had turned it down said he was still going to take a meeting about the film. So who knows.

He'll probably pass like he did on Superman, but if hiring directors is anything like hiring football coaches, his people saying he's passing on it doesn't mean a thing. They deny, deny, deny until they show up at the press conference to announce they are taking the job, lol..

[Type Two]

LOL! Hoo-boy.

[Figuremod73]

I wouldnt mind at all if Affleck got this and does an incredible job on it.