MOVIE MASH POLL: Who Should/Could Replace Christopher Nolan?

So after yesterday’s post of the “reported” upcoming Warner Bros. announcement this January regarding Batman 3 and Christopher Nolan’s involvement, I thought it would be perfect timing to see who you guys think WB suits should try to woo if Nolan does indeed decide to pass on returning.

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Analysis after the break.

All of these directors are currently at the top of their game and all but Aronofsky have been nominated for a Best Director Academy Award. NONE of these directors, that we know of, have been approached to takeover, but their names have been making the internet rounds as speculation fodder for months. The main thing that Warner Bros. suits will have to think about considerably, is choosing a director that would best be able to continue Nolan’s vision of a Batman universe grounded in reality.

Michael Mann would be a fine choice. He’s provided us with some of the best crime thrillers of the past 20 years with Heat, Collateral and Public Enemies. However, I think that Mann’s style and technique is TOO realistic, due to his signature use of digital cameras. Mann has been criticized for this because of the nauseating camera movement that some movie goers can find irritating.

Aronofsky was actually the leading candidate to revive the Batman franchise before Nolan was signed for Batman Begins in 2004, even having a script written, but WB wisely passed and went with the Memento director. Aronofsky’s style is dark and gritty, but I don’t think he would be able to handle a $200 million budget, as all of his films thus far can be categorized as “arthouse” and have had max budgets of around $5 million.

Danny Boyle is one of the best directors on the planet right now. He won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire last year and his resume is versatile and utterly impressive. However, his work on The Beach (with Leo), 28 Days Later and Slumdog created worlds that are bright, colorful and illuminating, a directing trait that would not compliment Nolan’s signature usage of dark tones.

So who should direct Batman 3 if Christopher Nolan doesn’t return? I say David Fincher! If there’s anyone who has a similar dark, gritty and meticulous style of directing to Nolan’s, it’s David Fincher. Think of Seven, The Game or Zodiac. Fincher already has created a thrilling serial-killer crime epic involving a killer who uses puzzles. The Riddler anyone? I honestly don’t know if Fincher would want to come in as the clean-up hitter for a superhero franchise, but if Warner Bros. were to, say, offer him a $50 million pay-check, I think Fincher would have to seriously consider it.

What Do You Think? Discuss.