James Gunn Shares His Choice For ‘The Batman’ Director

Late yesterday evening, we learned that Ben Affleck has stepped down as director of Warner Bros.’ upcoming The Batman (but he will still star, produce and co-write, alongside Geoff Johns). We already know that Kevin Smith won’t be taking over directing duties from his old friend, so now the question is who could fill Affleck’s abandoned director’s chair? Well, today James Gunn, director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, has shared his pick to direct the solo Batman film. During a Facebook Q&A, Gunn was asked about Affleck’s departure. He responded with: “If Jeremy Saulnier was interested, he’d be a good choice.”

Jeremy Saulnier is best known as the writer and director of the 2013 crime drama Blue Ruin and 2015’s Green Room, which starred Patrick Stewart and the late Anton Yelchin. Both films were very well-received. Saulnier is a more up-and-coming filmmaker, less established than some of the names being thrown around as potential directors for the DCEU film, such as War for the Planet of the Apes director Matt Reeves or Captain Fantastic‘s Matt Ross.

Being more of an indie guy means that Saulnier has yet to tackle a $200 million film like The Batman. Matt Reeves, on the other hand, has more than proven himself with effects-heavy films like the Planet of the Apes movies or the first Cloverfield, so on paper, he might seem like a smarter choice for the studio. However, sometimes bringing in a talent on the rise such as Saulnier works wonders for these superhero films. Marvel proves this time and time again. Even Gunn himself wasn’t an A-list director before tackling the first Guardians of the Galaxy.

The Batman currently does not have a set release date. James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 hits theaters May 5 of this year.

So, what are your thoughts on Gunn’s suggestion? Would you like to see a Jeremy Saulnier-helmed The Batman? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: James Gunn’s Facebook