Key Takeaways:
– Zack Snyder was not Warner Bros.’ first choice to direct Man of Steel; Darren Aronofsky was initially eyed for the project.
– Due to potential lawsuit threats from the Siegel estate, Warner Bros. needed a swift turnaround on Man of Steel’s development and production.
– Aronofsky’s careful and measured style was deemed too time-consuming by the studio, leading to Snyder’s appointment.
– Aronofsky was also considered for The Wolverine, but concerns over the movie’s shooting schedule prompted him to opt-out.
Warner Bros. Appoints Zack Snyder Over Darren Aronofsky
In an intriguing revelation from the past, it appears famed director Zack Snyder was not the first choice of Warner Bros. to helm Man of Steel. Instead, Warner Bros. initially considered Darren Aronofsky, known for The Wrestler and Black Swan, to breathe new life into the Superman series.
The studio began planning a Superman reboot series in 2008 following the disappointing performance of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns. Top comic book writers pitched their ideas for the reboot, with David S. Goyer and Christopher Nolan’s pitch eventually winning favor.
Aronofsky, having just released a critically acclaimed Black Swan, entered talks with Warner Bros. for directing the revival. He was later dropped in favor of the Watchmen director Zack Snyder.
Why Aronofsky Was Overlooked for the Man of Steel Director’s Role
Insider sources suggest Warner Bros. lost interest in Aronofsky for a very specific reason. Apparently, Goyer’s screenplay for Man of Steel had several problematic aspects that required a capable director to resolve swiftly.
Meanwhile, a 2009 court ruling allowed Superman creator Jerry Seigel’s family to regain 50% of the character’s rights. A catch in this ruling meant Warner Bros. needed to start Man of Steel’s production by 2011, or face possible lawsuits from the Siegel estate.
This prompted the studio to choose a director who could accommodate these constraints. Given the reputations of Aronofsky as a meticulous perfectionist who would take longer to refine Goyer’s script, the studio chose Snyder, who they believed could meet the tight deadline.
Aronofsky’s Other Superhero Missed Opportunities
This revelation joins an earlier instance when Aronofsky was linked to a major superhero project, only to step away. He was also a strong candidate to direct The Wolverine, the second film in the X-Men franchise.
Hugh Jackman confirmed in a Vulture interview, Aronofsky was going to give “out of the box” direction to the film. Unfortunately, he backed out of the film in March 2011, upon learning that the majority of the shooting would take place in Japan, which meant he would have to stay away from his family for a long time.
The Aftermath and Current Streaming Availability
Aronofsky’s exit paved the way for James Mangold to take over The Wolverine’s reins, who subsequently directed the third film in the series, Logan. Aronofsky, on the other hand, moved on to work on the biblical drama film Noah.
Today, Man of Steel is available for streaming on Max, while The Wolverine is accessible on Disney+. Snyder’s hasty appointment and the circumstances leading to it add an intriguing chapter to the DCEU’s history, shedding new light on Warner Bros.’ decision-making process for what has now become an iconic film in the franchise.
