Marvel Studios has been no stranger to having Oscar-winning performers in its films, but could a legendary director get behind the camera of anupcoming Marvel movie? It’s certainly possible, as the one and onlySpike Leerecently revealed that if the opportunity to make a Marvel movie arose, he would “give it consideration.”
Lee has a connection to Marvel Studios already as he’s friends withBlack PantherfilmmakerRyan Cooglerand he taughtEternalsdirectorChloe Zhaoat NYU, and honestly Lee isn’t a stranger to commercial filmmaking. 2006’sInside Manblends Lee’s confrontational sensibilities with a thrilling heist story, and he even remadePark Chan-wook’s masterpieceOldboyin 2013.
So it’s no surprise, then, that when asked byEWif he’d be interested in directing a superhero movie, Lee said he has an open mind about it:
So you’ve done biopics, romance, heist films… Will we ever see Spike Lee direct a superhero film? Some of your directing brethren have dismissed Marvel movies as not legit filmmaking.
Spike Lee: I have nothing against Marvel. I grew up readingSpider-Mancomic books. To me, DC Comics was always corny.
Oh, are you trying to get the Marvel and DC stans at each other throats?
Lee: [Laughs] I’m just saying. I was all about Marvel. If the right opportunity comes across, I’m not campaigning for it, but I will give it consideration.
Thus far, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has played host to a number of either up-and-coming filmmakers likeThe Russo BrothersorJon Wattsor established players likeJon Favreau,Kenneth Branagh, orShane Black. But recently, Marvel has really curated exciting talent like the aforementioned Coogler orTaika Waititi, who won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in betweenThor: Rangarokand the upcomingThor: Love and Thunder. And while Marvel has certainly had directors with a lot of experience like Branagh orJoe Johnston, they’ve never really had someone on the level of Lee in their midst before.
And that may be for the best. Marvel Studios has gotten better about allowing its filmmakers more freedom – especially with regards to films likeGuardians of the GalaxyorBlack Panther– but they’re still making films that fit together like puzzle pieces, and that cost hundreds of millions of dollars. Certain concessions to the studio have to be made when that level of risk is on the line, and filmmakers like Lee orSteven SpielbergorChristopher NolanorMartin Scorsesearen’t in the habit of making moviesforstudios.
So it’s likely nothing comes of this, but it’s a fun thought experiment to consider what kind of Marvel movie Spike Lee would make. In the meantime,Marvel’s upcoming scheduleis full of plenty of exciting films and filmmakers.
