The number of directors who have spoken out about the MCU continues to grow. They speak about how its cookie-cutter spectacle is ruining cinema and that the problems the characters face aren’t real. But what about its quiet cousin?

The emerging DCU, with James Gunn now at its head, is in flux. Nobody is quite sure where it will go or Gunn’s intentions. This could be appealing to new and established directors instead of those fans of the struggling universe have seen attached to previous films.

Why Direct Superhero Movies?

     Netflix

The question of why not has come up more often lately, though it is far more important for newer directors. Marvel directors have, for the most part, left the MCU unscathed and are able to go about their own projects afterward. This is true of Joss Whedon, John Favreau, Kenneth Branagh, Shane Black, and others. There is no real danger that time in the MCU does anything but advance careers.

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But the MCU has become far more formulaic with less room to play outside the prescribed lines. Only certain directors such as Ryan Coogler (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) are given more space as their work touches on cultural specifics that Marvel wants to be handled appropriately, though they still want spectacle, action, and action figures. The only directors that seem to have not only built the formula but cemented it are the Russo Brothers, whose Captain America: Winter Soldier was not only a fun movie but a great spy thriller as well.

However, the Russos are a great example of new directors being given a chance. Prior to the MCU, they were known primarily for directing comedy television shows such as Arrested Development and Community, the latter of which got them the MCU interview. Perhaps the DCU will consider the same mix of the established and the new when gathering directors for their next films.

Directorial Candidates for The DCU

     Disney

There are many ways to look at the DCU, but one thing to keep in mind will be the overall tone. If we look at their more successful animated films, there is a healthy mix of the dark and light.

One of the main characters that have already had their own stand-alone movie is John Constantine, played in the movie Constantine by Keanu Reeves. The movie was met with mixed reviews, although it has become a cult classic in the intervening years. With a sequel due out in 2024, it could be possible to see the character enter DCU canon with Reeves as its star. Constantine 2 will also be directed by Francis Lawrence, the original director, who has also directed I Am Legend, four Hunger Games movies, and the Jennifer Lawrence-led spy film Red Sparrow. His work with Warner Bros. already puts him in good standing and his ability to bring a darker vision to his films could lend itself to the characters. If he is able to make something of Constantine 2, perhaps he could be tapped for more expansive projects such as the rumored Justice League Dark.

Deborah Chow may not be a particularly new face, but she has definitely found her feet. Chow has most recently been the showrunner of the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi and has directed episodes of The Mandalorian, Lost in Space, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist. She has her feet firmly planted in science fiction and superheroes. These projects are all Disney/Marvel, but that does not mean she is unable to do a bit of work for the other side.

Chow’s background puts her in a perfect spot to direct a movie following Green Lantern. Also, it would behoove Gunn to bring on a trusted female director to helm such a cornerstone character. The DCU was far too pleased with itself for having Patty Jenkins on board to direct their one female-led film series. Chow has shown that she can deal with the human side of things while also expanding mythology around characters. A Green Lantern film could be exactly the project she’s looking for.

Another young director that has been making persistent waves is Daryl Wein, whose films such as Something From Tiffany’s, How it Ends, and Breaking Upwards all center around the lives of couples and individuals trying to figure out their lives. He is an untapped resource that would be the perfect left-field swing for Gunn. If given the ability to write and direct a DCU movie, Wein may be best at handling a team movie. This could be a smaller team that plays to the one thing that Gunn loves: unknown heroes.

A great project for Wein would be The Outsiders, a team formed in DC Comics that included some characters we have already seen on television including Katana, Black Lightning, Geo-Force, Metamorpho, Halo, and Looker. Wein could take this ragtag group and give them pathos and show how a great team can be put together.

Why Choosing Directors is Important

     Entertainment Weekly

As Gunn prepares to launch this brand-new world, he cannot direct every film that he and his team decide to make. That is why bringing in fresh voices who have something to say other than what’s directly on the comic book page could be revolutionary. Also, by bringing in directors with short but impressive pedigrees, audiences may not know what to expect. That, on its own, could bring people out of sheer curiosity.

The DCU needs a voice and Gunn needs a group of smart, young, diverse directors to take these strange characters and make them interesting, relatable, and heroic. These three directors could shake things up in the world of superheroes and begin forging all new areas in their own careers.