Warner Bros. is indeed forging ahead with plans to finally makeaMan of Steelsequel, and they’ve got a mighty exciting filmmaker in their sights to take the helm. WhileMan of Steelwas originated byChristopher NolanandDavid S. Goyeras an idea for how to reconceive Superman for modern audiences, the film has since become the starting point for Warner Bros.’ entire DC Extended Universe. Its follow-up,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, was more aJustice Leagueprequel than a trueMan of Steelsequel, and it’s being followed in the DCEU bySuicide Squad,Wonder Woman, the aforementionedJustice League,Aquaman, and who knows how many other DC superhero movies. Butas we learned last August, Warner Bros. is also keen on adding a genuineMan of Steelsequel to its DC slate, and we now know who they want to direct it.
Sources tell us thatKingsman: The Secret ServicefilmmakerMatthew Vaughnis Warner Bros.’ top choice to directMan of Steel 2, and preliminary conversations about the prospect have taken place. This isn’t yet in the deal-making stage, and Vaughn could very well end up not directing the film, but he’s who Warner Bros. wants at this point in time. Moreover, sources tell us that if Vaughn for some reason doesn’t directMan of Steel 2, Warner Bros. still wants him to helm another superhero movie in the DCEU.
This wouldn’t be Vaughn’s first foray into the superhero realm as he successfully rebooted/prequelized Fox’sX-Menuniverse with the delightfulX-Men: First Classand also helmed the darkly funny R-rated comic book adaptationKick-Ass. He’s currently in post-production on his spy sequelKingsman: The Golden Circle, but now it appears he’s considering making the jump to Warner Bros. to make another superhero film.
Back in 2010, reports surfaced that Vaughn andKick-Asscomic writerMark Millarhad pitched their take on aSupermanmovie to Warner Bros. only for the studio to (unsurprisingly) go with Nolan and Goyer’s take. Vaughn subsequently clarified he only had a brief chat with WB about making a Superman movie, buthe did offer his thoughtson what a Superman film should be, which may give us a hint of what kind of toneMan of Steel 2would strike if Vaughn takes the helm:
“I think that’s the one thing not to do with Superman, trying to do the seriousThe Dark Knightversion. Superman is about color and fun, or it should be, for me.”
These comments were obviously made beforeMan of Steelhad entered production, but if Vaughn has the same take on the character today, it could signal that Warner Bros. is keen on livening up the DCEU with one of its cornerstone characters. Indeed, this past December WB headGreg Silvermanexited the studio as New Line COOToby Emmerichwas promoted to Warner Bros. president and chief content officer. We’re hearing that Emmerich was key in the hiring ofMatt Reevesto helmThe Batmanand similarly tapped Vaughn as a possibility forMan of Steel 2, as the executive wants to make known that Warner Bros. isn’t messing around when it comes to landing quality filmmakers for its big DCEU movies.
It’s no secret the DCEU slate has struggled to get off the ground, as a miscalculation of tone madeBatman v Supermana sizable hit but not quite the sky-high phenomenon the studio was hoping for.Suicide Squadsubsequently went through some post-production retooling to alter the film’s tone, and directorZack Snyderhas promised aJustice Leaguemovie that’s not all doom and gloom. The filmmakers Warner Bros. has hired thus far—Patty JenkinsforWonder Woman,James WanforAquaman—are talented but also serious directors, but Vaughn’s resume is by far the lightest and most colorful of the bunch.
If Vaughn does indeed sign on to directMan of Steel 2, odds are we’re in for a pretty significant contrast toMan of Steel—although it’s not like all of a sudden Superman will become a jolly ol’ jokester. Of course these films still have to fit as pieces of a whole, but Vaughn’s filmography shows that he has a knack for stylish and cool set pieces while also taking his characters seriously. He balanced emotion and romp in equal measure withX-Men: First Class, so who’s to say he wouldn’t do the same thing with Superman?
Again, Vaughn isn’t yet in talks and may not be the person to directMan of Steel 2in the end, but sources tell us Warner Bros. very much wants him in the DCEU fold.
