If Miller Is Off The Project...Who Is YOUR Director?

[Superhobo]

You could use the same argument with any super-hero adaption.

On the surface there may not be much to take seriously but given the right people in control of the adaption will depend on how well the final product will be.

Batman is just a rich psycho who dresses up as a bat to beat the crap out of people after his parents got murdered. Nolan was able to give us Batman Begins based on that premise. There's no reason Hollywood couldn't have some a similar route, in quality, with TF.

Jake:

Writer and director of Sky Captain And The World of Tomorrow.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346156/

It could, but then you'd have to take into consideration the quality of the source material to begin with - let's be honest here, "Transformers" wasn't really, well - .

 

[KELLEL]

Oh god yea if it is 90mins that is way to short for 7 heroes and all that. That was one thing i hated about FF2 time. What i hope for is between 2hrs(min)- 2hr 30mins(max) runtime.

Same here, brothaman. that would suck sooooooo badly. It's gotta be at least 2 hours, even if it sux.

 

[Webhead2006]

Yea any thing under 2hrs would be bad and come on with 7 heroes u need atless 2hr30mins to give each character enough time to develop them.

 

[Superhobo]

Guys, I just hope JLA isn't 90 minutes. it seems like every movie Miller does has a runtime of ninety minutes....JLA needs to be 2 hours and 10-15 minutes, that'd be fair, IMO.

"Beyond Thunderdome" was thirteen minutes short of two hours - and there was quite a bit of footage that was taken out.

"Happy Feet" was ten minutes short of two hours - also with a bit of deleted footage, as well.

"Lorenzo's Oil" was two hours and nine minutes.

"The Witches of Eastwick" was two minutes short of two hours.

So....

 

[Webhead2006]

Yes alot of films are 2hrs or short but come on with 7 heroes it should be a bit longer so they can give each character a good ammount of character development. But hey even if it was short of 2hrs or just 2hrs maybe the film could have directors cut/deleted scenes for dvd with more footage. Like alot of films do nowadays.

 

[OwlBoy]

Guillermo Del Toro with a script by Doctor Who's Steven Moffat

 

[mclay18]

- Guillermo del Toro
- Joss Whedon
- Steven Spielberg
- Peter Jackson

Those are the directors that I think could handle an ensemble cast well and have a good eye for visual effects sequences. Spielberg in particular would be ideal (particularly his editor and composer), but he probably wouldn't see it as much of a challenge or anything he'd be interested in.

 

[Webhead2006]

So true probably but i would be down for any of them. The film should be treated like an epic film and all of thme can do epic. It should not be a standard action popcorn flick.

 

[theMan-Bat]

Kevin Smith is a director and is also a comic book writer and fan. He understands the JLA characters and how to direct.

 

[mclay18]

A big no to Kevin Smith. His rejected script for "Death of Superman" (or "Superman Lives") was pretty underwhelming, to put it nicely. If anything, he should stick to his day job.

Not to mention he has said personally that he's not the right person to direct comic book movies, or something to that effect.

 

[Webhead2006]

I thought i read those scripts of his got screwed over by the directors who were attached at the time and studio execs forcing him to write things he didnt want to do.

 

[GreenKToo]

Polar bears and giant spiders. Ahhh, good memories.

 

[The Major]

Kevin Smith is a director and is also a comic book writer and fan.

His strengths are different in each medium.

In comics he's a great serious action writer. In films he's only interested and good at romantic or frat boy humor comedies. He's actually said he would hate directing an action movie since it takes a lot of prepping and attention to detail, too.

Writing action movie scripts isn't his strong suit, either. When he wrote a GH draft all he felt like writing was Kato & GH talking like Jay & Silent Bob off-duty.

He understands the JLA characters and how to direct.

Mark Steven Johnson did, too. His DD and GR movies were still awful.

What you need is a director whose a fan but whose talents and skill are appropriate for that franchise. This is why Del Toro's Hellboy and Favreau's Iron Man was so good.

 

[theMan-Bat]

A big no to Kevin Smith. His rejected script for "Death of Superman" (or "Superman Lives") was pretty underwhelming, to put it nicely. If anything, he should stick to his day job.

There already is a script written by Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney that Kevin Smith seems to like so he doesn't have to write anything.

Not to mention he has said personally that he's not the right person to direct comic book movies, or something to that effect.

He's said that some people think he's not the right person to write and direct comic book movies, he said "I was always afraid that somebody at Warner Brothers was going to see Clerks and say 'we gave our multi-million dollar franchise to the ****ing Clerks guy. He's gonna turn in a script with Clark screaming at Lois, 'how many ***** did you ****ing suck?.'" Kevin Smith is a comic book fanatic, he loved writing Superman Lives even though Jon Peters was forcing him to include a giant spider and polar bears, he said he would have written the script "for free, it was just fun, I got to work on Superman," I'm certain he'd love to direct JLA.

 

[theMan-Bat]

His strengths are different in each medium.

In comics he's a great serious action writer. In films he's only interested and good at romantic or frat boy humor comedies.

He's only made romantic or frat boy humor comedies, that doesn't mean that's the only genre he's interested in.

He's actually said he would hate directing an action movie since it takes a lot of prepping and attention to detail, too.

Source? I'm certain he would love the chance to direct JLA.

Writing action movie scripts isn't his strong suit, either. When he wrote a GH draft all he felt like writing was Kato & GH talking like Jay & Silent Bob off-duty.

I love his Superman Lives script. And there already is a script written by Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney that Kevin Smith seems to like so he doesn't have to write anything.

Mark Steven Johnson did, too. His DD and GR movies were still awful.

What you need is a director whose a fan but whose talents and skill are appropriate for that franchise. This is why Del Toro's Hellboy and Favreau's Iron Man was so good.

There are directors that can direct good movies in various genres. Give Kevin Smith a chance.

 

[theMan-Bat]

I thought i read those scripts of his got screwed over by the directors who were attached at the time and studio execs forcing him to write things he didnt want to do.

Pretty much. Jon Peters was forcing him to include a giant spider and polar bears into the Superman Lives script. And he managed to still make a good script.

 

[The Major]

He's only made romantic or frat boy humor comedies, that doesn't mean that's the only genre he's interested in.

Then he should start branching out with new genres with his movies.

Being interested doesn't mean he'll be any good in that genre, either.

Source? I'm certain he would love the chance to direct JLA.

It was during an interview with Wizard magazine in the 90's.

I love his Superman Lives script. And there already is a script written by Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney that Kevin Smith seems to like so he doesn't have to write anything.

His action directing is shaky at best. The actions scenes he has done before pale in comparison what he'd have to with a standard solo movie, it's going to be ten times that with a high profile super-hero team like Justice League.

There are directors that can direct good movies in various genres.

Yes, and Smith hasn't proven he's one of them.

Give Kevin Smith a chance.

I'll give him a chance once Kevin's proven he can make his own serious action movie of his own creation.

He isn't a good enough film maker worth risking 5 or more franchises with in one movie, which is exactly what he'd do with JL. I'd take Miller over him for Justice League any day.

 

[theMan-Bat]

Then he should start branching out with new genres with his movies.

Being interested doesn't mean he'll be any good in that genre, either.

He could be.

His action directing is shaky at best. The actions scenes he has done before pale in comparison what he'd have to with a standard solo movie, it's going to be ten times that with a high profile super-hero team like Justice League.

True, but that doesn't mean he couldn't pull it off.

Yes, and Smith hasn't proven he's one of them.

We shall possibly see.

I'll give him a chance once Kevin's proven he can make his own serious action movie of his own creation.

He isn't a good enough film maker worth risking 5 or more franchises with in one movie, which is exactly what he'd do with JL. I'd take Miller over him for Justice League any day.

You have take a risk, every new superhero movie is a risk, and I think Miller's off the project.

 

[The Major]

He could be.



True, but that doesn't mean he couldn't pull it off.



We shall possibly see.

There are to many "ifs" here.

This is the Justice League. It's not a class for directors to learn how to become action directors.

You have take a risk, every new superhero movie is a risk,

True.

However some risks are easier to avoid then others. There is simply no reason why JL should be put on the line because Smith finally got bitten by the action director bug. He can do an action movie on his own for that.

To much relies on JL doing well. A single mistake means WB will put every single franchise who aren't Batman and Superman on the line. Once JL is made there are no second chances. It's over.

and I think Miller's off the project.

So what? Hollywood is full of directors who would make more sense on JL then Smith.

 

[theMan-Bat]

There are to many "ifs" here.

This is the Justice League. It's not a class for directors to learn how to become action directors.

He could pull it off. I'm willing to give him a chance.

True.

However some risks are easier to avoid then others. There is simply no reason why JL should be put on the line because Smith finally got bitten by the action director bug. He can do an action movie on his own for that.

To much relies on JL doing well. A single mistake means WB will put every single franchise who aren't Batman and Superman on the line. Once JL is made there are no second chances. It's over.

He'd better do a damn good job, that's for sure. I'd recommend giving him an assistant director. If it's a collaborative effort it could be all the better.

So what? Hollywood is full of directors who would make more sense on JL then Smith.

The fact that Kevin Smith is a comic book writer and fan as well as being a director makes sense for him to be a director on the JLA movie. He understands the JLA characters and how to direct.

 

[The Major]

He could pull it off.

JL has to much at stake to bet Smith will be good on it.

He hasn't even done a serious action or special effects heavy movie before.

He'd better do a damn good job, that's for sure. I'd recommend giving him an assistant director. If it's a collaborative effort it could be all the better.

True.

Only JL deserves more then "better". It deserves the best.

The fact that Kevin Smith is a comic book writer and fan as well as being a director makes sense for him to be a director on the JLA movie.

We already went over this.

Directors aren't equal. Like with all fields some people are better at other things then others or just not suited for certain tasks. Smith hasn't shown anything in his resume that he can tackle JL.

Comic book writing is completely different from screenwriting. It has even less in common with directing a movie.

He understands the JLA characters and how to direct.

Understanding the characters is a must no matter who is involved in a movie IMO.

It definitely shouldn't be the primary reason to hire a director. The director actually has to have the skills which allow the specific movie to work.

He's directed comedies, not action movies. He'll be learning on the job, and that's if he has the proper skills to begin with. We don't need a rookie director for this type of film. There are plenty of qualified directors in Hollywood who would fit it more then he does.

 

[theMan-Bat]

JL has to much at stake to bet Smith will be good on it.

Your concerns are understandable but I'm not opposed to giving Smith a chance, especially if there is an assistant director and it's a collaborative effort.

He hasn't even done a serious action or special effects heavy movie before.

True.

Only JL deserves more then "better". It deserves the best.

Of course.

Directors aren't equal. Like with all fields some people are better at other things then others or just not suited for certain tasks. Smith hasn't shown anything in his resume that he can tackle JL.

Comic book writing is completely different from screenwriting. It has even less in common with directing a movie.

And Smith has shown he can do all three.

Understanding the characters is a must no matter who is involved in a movie IMO.

Definitely.

It definitely shouldn't be the primary reason to hire a director. The director actually has to have the skills which allow the specific movie to work.

He's directed comedies, not action movies. He'll be learning on the job, and that's if he has the proper skills to begin with. We don't need a rookie director for this type of film. There are plenty of qualified directors in Hollywood who would fit it more then he does.

I'd rather have Smith taking the project than somebody who doesn't care about the comic books coming in to it and ****ing it all up.

 

[The Major]

Your concerns are understandable but I'm not opposed to giving Smith a chance, especially if there is an assistant director and it's a collaborative effort.

He really doesn't need to involved at all beyond creative consultant. And even then I'm sure they could find better people to talk to.

And Smith has shown he can do all three.

He's done all three, yes. Doesn't mean he's right for JLA. He sure hasn't shown what he can do with a serious super-hero in film.

We don't know for sure if he could do a good Flash movie never mind JL.

I'd rather have Smith taking the project than somebody who doesn't care about the comic books coming in to it and ****ing it all up.

You'd prefer a comic fan to ****ing it up instead of a non-fan ****ing it up? That's a no win situation. We still get a ****ed up JL movie.

JL needs a talented director who's skills fit JL with a relevant track record, who respects the property he's adapting and has access to a screenwriter/s who actually are fans which have the skills necessary to do it justice on the big screen.

Smith is neither of these.

 

[Webhead2006]

Yea we need the right people on the project to make it be the best possible product.

 

[theMan-Bat]

He really doesn't need to involved at all beyond creative consultant. And even then I'm sure they could find better people to talk to.

Alex Ross and Paul Dini come to mind as great creative consultants.

He's done all three, yes. Doesn't mean he's right for JLA. He sure hasn't shown what he can do with a serious super-hero in film.

We don't know for sure if he could do a good Flash movie never mind JL.

You'd prefer a comic fan to ****ing it up instead of a non-fan ****ing it up? That's a no win situation. We still get a ****ed up JL movie.

I'd prefer it directed properly, true to the source material, by Smith, somebody who is a comic fan who respects the property he's adapting and is a talented director plus a comic book writer, which is certainly relevant to the Justice League.

JL needs a talented director who's skills fit JL with a relevant track record, who respects the property he's adapting and has access to a screenwriter/s who actually are fans which have the skills necessary to do it justice on the big screen.

Smith is neither of these.

Smith is a talented director who's comic book skills fit the Justice League with a relevant track record as a comic writer and he's a director who respects the property he's adapting and is a screenwriter himself who actually is a major fan and, I believe, has the skills necessary to do it justice on the big screen. He will have people to help him pull it off.