Louis Leterrier On the 'Avengers' Director Shortlist

I can think of one reason that Louis Leterrier shouldn't direct The Avengers when the time comes: His Incredible Hulk just didn't make a big impact. It was better than Ang Lee's version, and it got overshadowed by Iron Man and Dark Knight even though it's a good film, but if Marvel is pointing all of its efforts (at least with Paramount) to one big greatest hits movie, then Hulk's box office might slim Leterrier's chances. However, the Clash of the Titans director might have a big hit on his hands in a couple weeks, so that should help, and he tells Ain't It Cool News, "I am on the shortlist. I don't know who the other guys are, but I have a great relationship with [Marvel], and I've been very vocal to them and everyone else that I am the one to direct it." He sure has been vocal, and I generally dislike the practice of bucking for jobs publicly, but Leterrier would be a likely candidate if Marvel kept it within the family. Jon Favreau says he's only producing Avengers, even though his two films should outgross the other three in the series by a significant margin. Kenneth Branagh? He was already an odd choice for Thor, though it seems to be finding its way now. Joe Johnston? Not bloody likely. I'm pimping Matthew Vaughn, who at one point was circling a couple of these hero pictures, if memory servers. I know he had talks about Thor, and I think he met with Marvel years ago about Iron Man, as well. With Kick-Ass on the way, he could put himself back on the radar. Honestly, for as scattered as The Avengers has to be to accommodate all the heroes and presumably a bunch of villains, I don't think Marvel gains much from keeping this one an inside job. It's more about finding someone who can juggle everything and writing a script that brings out the best of the characters with the limited time they'll have. Don't know if that's Leterrier or not. Titans should help us make a more informed decision.