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Wednesday
14Oct2009

Jon Favreau Won't Direct 'The Avengers'

DateWednesday, October 14, 2009 at 6:48PM
Although he would clearly be the choice among the top candidates, Jon Favreau says he's not going to direct The Avengers. Conventional wisdom would say one of the directors of the Avengers-related films - Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America - would handle the greatest hits album, but Favreau tells MTV because he's an executive producer of The Avengers, he will not be behind the camera.

"They'll have to [find a different director], because I'm not going to be available. It's something I'm being the executive producer on, so I'll definitely have input and a say," he said. "You need somebody who has the perspective of all the different franchises to bring them together. I have the myopic vision of just knowing and loving Iron Man."

So, let me be the first to say: Oh shit.

Louis Leterrier, who directed the Edward Norton Hulk did a good job, but he's probably not the top choice moving forward. Kenneth Branagh? Thor is anything but a sure thing; it's likely the riskiest Avengers set-up of them all. Joe Johnston from Captain America? Well, his Wolf Man got delayed a year, so that's not encouraging.

Favreau says Marvel boss Kevin Feige will have a better handle on where the Avengers flick should look for a director because of his involvement with each movie and the comics, as well. I have one nominee, and I'd like your feedback on it. What about Bryan Singer? He juggled two X-Men movies, which were significantly different in their reach but both involved massive casts of heroes. It's about the only in-house comparison you can really make. Plus, Singer just said he's dying to make another X-Men movie.

Yeah, it's a different set of circumstances - Paramount vs. Fox and what have you - but if Favreau won't direct, Marvel would probably be better off hiring the best director it could, looking outside its existing stable.

I like the notion of Doug Liman a little bit, but he's so notorious for working over-schedule and over-budget there's no way that's a good fit for a movie this big. Matthew Vaughn was in the running for one of these movies, Thor, I believe, and if Kick-Ass is as great as it looks, he could be a smart pick. He also said recently he'd love this gig. So, move to the middle of the line, sir.

Marvel probably should have crossed this bridge before they came to it, don't you think?

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , , , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment8 Comments |

Reader Comments (8)

Singer would be a good choice... How about Tarantino (kidding) although I would love to see him direct a comic book movie, especially if he did his own spin on it or if did The Escapist or something. It's probably too early to pick a director for Avengers, who knows who might come out of the fold? Neil Blomkamp?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009 | Unregistered Commenteranybody

@anybody: For god's sake do NOT let Singer do another superhero movie EVER AGAIN!

It would be better if this movie just wasn't made. But we all know that is not going to happen.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterThe Spam Master

I tend to agree with you on the second point; it's just too much movie.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

Hey when Singer is on his game, guy is crazy good.

When he's not....uh yeah.

I personally wouldn't mind him....just no Avengers in Leather please.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterWhitewolf2k3

JJ Abrams could do it. Not that they could necessarily get him but I think he could do it and do it well. Then there's Zack Snyder who handled the sprawl of Watchmen admirably enough to vie for something like this. Singer is a likely if not safe bet on account of his X-films but I'm not sure he's the best fit.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAsana

Snyder's a solid offering. Abrams could absolutely do it, and has the history with Paramount, but he'd want a big cut.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Registered CommenterColin Boyd

I was going to suggest Brad Bird again, but after taking the time to IMDB him, I see he is working on something else for that summer.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMRPigg

Abrhams would be a great choice. Despite the lacklustre Superman, Singer still has made two of the best super-movies ever (probably the best super-director except Nolan). I couldn't watch a Snyder Avengers, it would just be way too different than favreaus IM, and his love of slow mo zooms is starting to take its toll on me.

Thursday, October 15, 2009 | Unregistered Commenteranybody

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