Superman is one of the most iconic fiber ever created . Bringing his narration to the big screen in a square way is a lot easier said than done . Whenever Warner Bros. is developing a newSupermanmovie , executive director honk a wide net to find the thoroughgoing manager whose vision will do Kal - El ’s story justice .

Zack Snyder ’s bleak , misanthropical portrayal of the Superman myth inMan of Steelhas been deemed disingenuous by a great deal of diehard fans . Whether Henry Cavillremains in the role of Clark Kent or not , theSupermanmovie dealership is in need of a makeover   — and a new director .

Almost Did: Steven Spielberg (Superman: The Movie)

Fresh off the success ofJaws , Steven Spielberg was offered the hazard to directSuperman : The Movie . However , he turned down the job because his delegacy and the studio could n’t finalize on an agreeable pay and he was attached to helmingClose Encounters of the Third KindafterJaws .

astonishingly , the infamous Sam Peckinpah was also considered for the job . The producer withdrew him from consideration afterhe pulled out a gun in their meeting .

Should: Taika Waititi

In many ways , Thor is the Superman of the MCU , and Taika Waititigave him his best solo picture withRagnarok , a pic bursting at the line with nitty-gritty , humour , and spectacle .

The pulpy , colorful tone of Waititi ’s movies   — paired with the poignant social commentary he buries between the lines   — would make him the perfect filmmaker to realize Superman ’s taradiddle on the self-aggrandising screen .

Almost Did: Wes Craven (Superman IV: The Quest For Peace)

The budget forSuperman IVwas initially set at $ 35 million , but the financially fight studio The Cannon Group unexpectedly cut it in half justly before yield . It vocalise like Craven dodged a smoke by losing the job .

Should: James Mangold

If Henry Cavill appease on as the DCEU ’s Superman and his previous adventures remain canon , then the well way to proceed with the dealership is to deconstruct the Superman myth .

James Mangold already deconstruct one comical book myth when he helm Wolverine ’s final self-aggrandizing - silver screen jaunt , Logan , as a neo - western in the role model ofShane .

Almost Did: Tim Burton (Superman Lives)

Tim Burton was once lined up to directSuperman liveliness — an unproduced movie that’smore well - sleep with than a lot of in reality producedSupermanmovies — with Nicolas Cage cast as Clark Kent and Chris Rock under consideration to play Jimmy Olsen .

Kevin Smith was one of many writers hired to work on the hand . The manufacturer forced Smith to admit such inane construct as a giant mechanically skillful spider , which end up being repurposed forWild Wild West . In another edition of the script , Supes was just a regular sheik who got his powers from his costume .

Should: Jon Favreau

Although he ’ll probably be wrapped up with Disney for a while , working onThe Mandalorian , the MCU , and a smattering of live - action mechanism remakes of animated classics , a Superman motion-picture show helmed by Jon Favreau could be really slap-up .

He ’s the director who shepherded Robert Downey Jr. ’s Tony Stark   — one of the all - time greatest portrayals of a superhero   — to the big screen . Iron Man ’s sharp storytelling and semi - improvised dialogue gave it a unique energy that could do wonderment for the stagnantSupermanfranchise .

Almost Did: George Lucas (Superman: The Movie)

George Lucas was offered the prospect to directSuperman : The Moviebefore Richard Donner was hired , but the shooting schedule clashed with his passion project , Star Wars .

Francis Ford Coppola ( The Godfather ) , William Friedkin ( The Exorcist ) , and Norman Jewison ( In the Heat of the Night ) were all considered for the job prior to Donner being hired .

Should: Brad Bird

Lifelong DC fan Brad Bird is kind of a clichéd pick to direct a Superman movie , but there ’s a reason for that . He ’s alreadynailed the superhero mythos withThe Incredibles , and helmed breathless action at law sequences forMission : unacceptable – Ghost Protocol .

With Bird ’s background signal in vitality , he could bring vibrant colour back to theSupermanfranchise after Zack Snyder lap it out with bleak , muted tones .

Almost Did: Matthew Vaughn (Eight-Hour Superman Trilogy)

Matthew Vaughn pitched an epic eight - 60 minutes Superman trilogy to Warner Bros. that he intended to compose with Mark Millar . This trilogy would ’ve followed Kal - El from his birth on Krypton to being the last life on Earth when the Lord’s Day travel supernova .

Millar compare the trilogy toThe Godfathersaga   and Charlie Cox was delineate up to play Supes . However , the trilogy was scrapped when Warner Bros. greenlit the pitch forMan of Steel .

Should: Guillermo Del Toro

One of the most visionary filmmakers working today , Guillermo del Toro isa master of retelling classical myths in his own unique way . His singular take on the Superman report would be close to the source material , but wholly his own , like Nolan ’s Batman or Raimi ’s Spider - Man .

Del Toro ’s movies undertake heavy themes , but he ’s not a cynical film producer . His photographic film go to some black place , but they all finally secern sweet stories with a slew of heart .

NEXT:5 Directors Who Almost Helmed A Batman Movie ( & 5 Who Should )

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Jon Kent (AKA Superman’s Young Adult Son) with Kryptonite in the background

James Gunn’s Superman and Krypto comic

Superman directors - featured image

The T rex attack in Jurassic Park

Chris Hemsworth in Thor Ragnarok

Ghostface-Scream-Villain

Hugh Jackman in Logan

The ending of Iron Man

Han and Chewie in Star Wars

The Incredibles

Colin Firth and Taron Egerton in Kingsman

Sally Hawkins staring at the Amphibian Man through glass in Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water

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