Who Should Direct Thor 2?

Now that we know that Patty Jenkins, Brian Kirk and Kenneth Branagh aren't options to direct Thor 2, who could? Previously we've seen some names that seem like odd matches before but have turned out great for Marvel Studios like Jon Favreau and Branagh. I think with the production date looming the studio might want to consider a few names. They very well won't workout because of scheduling issues but I feel these directors could bring something to the table.

RUPERT SANDERS: He's new to the movie industry but is cutting his teeth with a rather large project currently Snow White And The Huntsman which stars Chris Hemsworth. Rupert already has a working relationship with Hemsworth and seems to be able to handle a project of this size along with it's budget restrictions. Huntsman features a lot of fantasy aspects that could be interesting seen in a Thor sequel. The humor might be an issue for Sanders since Huntsman looks like it could be a lot more serious than Thor. However, the last film was able to balance between many different emotions and could go darker if need be. While Huntsman will get a June release date between now and then Sanders is likely going to be busy as can be with post-production on the film.

NICOLAS WINDING REFN: Nicolas is film geek gold winning over many with his conceptual eye-popping thriller Drive this year. He's been itching to make a comic book film being on many people's list to step in for future Batman films. Not to mention Refn's own intentions on making a serious Wonder Woman film for Warner Bros. but has yet to be taken up on the offer. Refn has stated his favorite of his own films was Valhalla Rising which featured a one eyed mute Viking slave who was a prize fighter. If Marvel really wanted to go the auteur route Nicolas would be that route. He's currently shooting another smaller film title Only God Forgives which could easily be edited on the fly. I could see him being able to handle the genre and it's humor my only concern would be it's pacing. The only issue could be his in development remake of Logan's Run could end up being his next project if WB wants it to be.

DUNCAN JONES: He's been linked as a contender for Man of Steel, The Wolverine and Iron Man 3, the latter more rumor if anything else. Jones is a solid science fiction director his films Moon and Source Code run the gauntlet of emotions which doesn't often happen in the genre. Thor is equally set in fantasy as it is science fiction which could be explored greatly with Jones behind the camera. He currently doesn't have a set film on his slate while the others on the list do. Duncan has yet to fully jump into franchise territory and is unlikely to do so without a serious reason to. One of his passion projects Mute has been lacking in financing which could change if he knocked out something like Thor 2. I liken Duncan to Matthew Vaughn early in his career, so I dying to see what he can do with a Marvel property.

Patty Jenkins Won't Direct Thor 2

Deadline reports that Monster director Patty Jenkins won't be directing Thor 2. The studio and Patty had a disagreement over creative issues which lead to her exit. However, they state Jenkins could end up directing another one of Marvel's laundry list projects. Marvel will have to move quickly as production is expected to start in September of next year with a release date a little over a year after that date. Giving a director enough time to put together pre-production, set creation and new casting additions. Thor 2 is expected to be a rather large sequel with it's Asgardian population rumored to be doubling in size. Not to mention the fact there has been talk the movie is likely to be set in other realms which is very costly for the studio.

Brian Kirk (Luther, Game of Thrones) had also been in talks with the studio but also left over creative and budget issues. This isn't new for Marvel as the original Thor film went through a similar process to find it's director. Names like Matthew Vaughn and Sam Raimi were once attached to direct before Kenneth Branagh was ultimately hired. Jenkins could better suit a majority of the other projects in development and I'm sure will be back at Marvel in the future.
If Rupert Sanders wasn't busy with Snow White and The Huntsman I would have felt he was the director for the job. The film has a similar scale and tone which also stars Chris Hemsworth.

Starship Troopers Is Being Remade

Producer Neal H. Moritz is known for taking on rather large projects and reboots. He currently has Total Recall and Bryan Singer's Jack The Giant Killer to be released this summer. Along with a slew of other projects that include 21 Jump Street, R.I.P.D. (Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges), RED 2, Highlander and Escape From New York. Neal is about to develop a remake of yet another film from director Paul Verhoeven this time according to Vulture it will be Starship Troopers. The 90's cult classic was a massive misstep for Sony when the $100 million film didn't make a splash at the box office when it first came out but then later made a killing in the home video market. It spawned two direct-to-DVD sequels which neither had the scale or action of the first film. However, it might be in good hands as Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz will tackle the remake's script. The pair are credited for writing both Thor and X-Men First Class which were some of the biggest success stories of the year.



As a big fan of the original I'm unsure which angle they'll be going for here. I was shocked how much they would exclude in Total Recall from the original film going as far as getting rid of the violence for a PG-13 rating along with Mars. To see a PG-13 Starship Troopers film would be an odd thing considering this a science fiction war film. Films like Saving Private Ryan and Platoon showed the realistic side to war but had to be R for this to happen. Even in science fiction the rules still apply just look at Aliens (which channeled Vietnam) for example if we didn't see the marines taken out so harshly I don't think the film would have had the same impact. Avatar for all it's stunning special effects didn't have the same urgency Aliens had because the realism was lost in it's fantasy world of CGI.

My faith in the project will also come down to casting and the director. I feel like Sony could be working the Hunger Games/Ender's Game angle here and looking to hire very young actors for the leads. Not unlike the original which had a fresh faced group of young actors put into combat. I would hope that the studio went for talent rather flavors of the month. Since I believe this reboot is likely a new franchise in the making. I don't have a lot of directors coming to mind who could do this justice but newcomer Rupert Sanders is among them. Sanders who I hope will make a name for himself with Snow White And The Huntsman also did a great job on the some of the Halo live-action commercials.

Snow White And The Huntsman Trailer

Promo Art For Snow White & The Huntsman

Here is a piece of promo art for Rupert Sander's Snow White And The Huntsman. Rupert's version is dark/gritty and has been attributed to the fantasy-style of Lord of The Rings. It's impressive cast includes Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers, Red Dawn), Charlize Theron (Prometheus, Fury Road), Sam Claflin (Pirates 4), Noah Huntley, Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Attack The Block), Ray Winstone, Ian McShane (Deadwood), Bob Hoskins (Hook), Toby Jones (Captain America), Eddie Marsan (Sherlock Holmes, Jack The Giant Killer) and Steven Graham (Snatch, Boardwalk Empire).

Emily Browning In The Running For Snow White

HeatVision reports that Australian actress Emily Browning has tested for the role of Snow White last week. Unlike the rumor of Kristen Stewart, testing for the role means there is a possibility of landing the part in Snow White & The Huntsman. Browning is about to blowup with her film Sucker Punch looking to be a massive blockbuster for the young actress. Emily is perfect for this type of role as the fantasy action theme is very similar to Sucker Punch.

RUMOR: Kristen Stewart To Play Snow White?

Deadline is reporting on a rumor that could see Twilight's Kristen Stewart in the lead role of Snow White & The Huntsman. It would be a safe bet for Universal since Stewart has a young loyal following. The only thing is that I doubt she would be able to carry a film like this on her own. Even worse she'd be sharing scenes with heavy weights like Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron.

It was mentioned that Universal could also be looking at both big names and unknowns for the role. The list of lesser known actresses in the running include Felicity Jones (The Tempest, Cemetery Junction), Riley Keough, Bella Heathcoat (Cogan's Trade, Now) and Alicia Vikander. I'd personally rather see Felicity Jones in the role mainly because she would put more effort into the film and could build a name from it. For Kristen, it would be just a payday between the next emotionless performance.

Viggo Mortensen In Talks For Snow White & The Huntsman

Variety reports that Viggo Mortensen is in talks to star in Universal's Snow White & The Huntsman. The role of the Huntsman has seen some interest from the likes of Tom Hardy, Michael Fassbender and Johnny Depp.

Charlize Theron is likely to take the role of the evil Queen but Snow White has yet to be cast. Previously a list of lesser known hopefuls was released which included names like Felicity Jones (The Tempest, Cemetery Junction), Riley Keough, Bella Heathcoat (Cogan's Trade, Now) and Alicia Vikander. This more than likely takes Viggo out of the running for the lead in Ron Howard's Dark Tower.

Felicity Jones Testing For Snow White & The Huntsman

Deadline reported today that Charlize Theron is still pursuing the role of the evil Queen in Rupert Sanders' Snow White & The Huntsman. They also mention Michael Fassbender is now up for the role of the Huntsman which had been rumored for Johnny Depp and Tom Hardy.

HeatVision adds to the story by releasing Universal's shortlist of actresses they'll be testing for the lead role of Snow White. The group includes mostly unknowns like Riley Keough, Bella Heathcoat and Alicia Vikander. Felicity Jones is best known actress on the list who has starred in The Tempest and Cemetery Junction. Jones is my favorite of the bunch and this could be her breakout performance.

This is director Rupert Sanders' debut film and is mostly known for his commercial work. Which includes the impressive live-action trailer for Halo ODST. He also made a short film entitled Black Hole which I assume is based on the comic book by Charles Burns.