by Liam McMillen
There seems to be a trend in Hollywood right now. Studios have become more and more willing to give over their tentpoles to relatively untested directors from the indie world with only one or two low-budget features behind them. This year alone, we've seen the $150 million budgeted Godzilla from Gareth Edwards, whose previous effort was Monsters, a film that cost only $500,000 which he edited in his bedroom. We’ll get Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, from Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves, there’s the $200m Guardians Of The Galaxy, helmed by James Gunn, whose most expensive film before now was the $15 million Slither, and, next summer, The Fantastic Four from Chronicle director Josh Trank,” and Jurassic World, whose helmer Colin Trevorrow has only one feature under his belt, the tiny indie, but frankly brilliant Safety Not Guaranteed.
There seems to be a trend in Hollywood right now. Studios have become more and more willing to give over their tentpoles to relatively untested directors from the indie world with only one or two low-budget features behind them. This year alone, we've seen the $150 million budgeted Godzilla from Gareth Edwards, whose previous effort was Monsters, a film that cost only $500,000 which he edited in his bedroom. We’ll get Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, from Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves, there’s the $200m Guardians Of The Galaxy, helmed by James Gunn, whose most expensive film before now was the $15 million Slither, and, next summer, The Fantastic Four from Chronicle director Josh Trank,” and Jurassic World, whose helmer Colin Trevorrow has only one feature under his belt, the tiny indie, but frankly brilliant Safety Not Guaranteed.
Most would say that Marvel started the trend and it's a good argument. Shane Black, who had previously only helmed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (which is brilliant, go and see it if you haven't) was given the Iron Man 3 gig, Kenneth Branagh, although a big name was given his blockbuster début with Thor and Joss Whedon had only directed one film, which was a flop before he was given the behemoth Avengers Assemble. All of these were big gambles for Marvel at the time that have all paid off, but I can think of a bigger gamble made by their biggest competition that kicked the trend off.
Christopher Nolan was an indie darling. He had made some of the greatest films of the turn of the century, but he had never handled a budget or had a box office success. It took Warner Bros to step up and give him $150,000,000 to make his interpretation of Batman. Now that's a big risk. Remember that the last Batman film was the abomination that was Batman & Robin. Warner Bros could have easily given it to a film-maker who had tasted success and worked on a budget, but they opted for Nolan and the rest is history as they say. He made three critically successful films that blew up the box office.
Christopher Nolan was an indie darling. He had made some of the greatest films of the turn of the century, but he had never handled a budget or had a box office success. It took Warner Bros to step up and give him $150,000,000 to make his interpretation of Batman. Now that's a big risk. Remember that the last Batman film was the abomination that was Batman & Robin. Warner Bros could have easily given it to a film-maker who had tasted success and worked on a budget, but they opted for Nolan and the rest is history as they say. He made three critically successful films that blew up the box office.
Warner Bros took the gamble and it looks like it's here to stay. Zack Snyder was a bit of a risk when taking on Man of Steel. Sure, he had Watchmen and 300 on his CV, but he had also just made Sucker Punch which bombed both financially and commercially and he's not exactly got the biggest of fanbases. Seriously, google his name – it's more negative than positive I can assure you.
Marvel looks like they're continuing with their alternative choices especially with Scott Derrickson being chosen as the director of Doctor Strange, and Peyton Reed taking over from Edgar Wright on Ant-Man duties. Disney seem to be continuing that with Star Wars too. Rian Johnson, Josh Trank and Gareth Edwards have all been confirmed to be working on certain projects. It's refreshing and we should make the most of it because in a parallel universe Michael Bay has just been announced to direct a Planet Hulk film. Yikes! Thanks Christopher Nolan.
Marvel looks like they're continuing with their alternative choices especially with Scott Derrickson being chosen as the director of Doctor Strange, and Peyton Reed taking over from Edgar Wright on Ant-Man duties. Disney seem to be continuing that with Star Wars too. Rian Johnson, Josh Trank and Gareth Edwards have all been confirmed to be working on certain projects. It's refreshing and we should make the most of it because in a parallel universe Michael Bay has just been announced to direct a Planet Hulk film. Yikes! Thanks Christopher Nolan.
RSS Feed
