Bong Joon-ho is one of the best filmmakers working today, period. There’s no denying that. If you do deny that, then you can turn in your cinephile card to the receptionist down the hall. But just because he’s one of the most acclaimed filmmakers around doesn’t mean that he should line up to do a superhero film. And thankfully, Bong is self-aware enough to know that even if he wanted to, a marriage between him and Marvel is likely not going to work.
Speaking to Variety, Bong was asked about the idea of doing a Marvel film. Much like how he responds to every question, he gives a succinct, thoughtful, and honest answer. That is to say, even though he enjoys some of the films, he just doesn’t think a Bong/Marvel relationship is destined for greatness.
“I don’t think Marvel would ever want a director like me,” the filmmaker admitted. “I don’t expect any offers from them anytime soon. Of their movies, I did enjoy the films by James Gunn and James Mangold’s ‘Logan,’ and I think they are great directors who can handle great projects like that.”
He continued, “The film industry seems complicated, but I think it’s quite simple for directors. It’s just best to do what you’re good at. And so I don’t really think Marvel and I are suitable for each other. That’s something I just intuitively feel.”
This isn’t the first time that Bong shot down the idea of working on a superhero film. Previously, he used the, now famous, excuse that the spandex outfits were too clingy and it freaked him out. He said, “Watching them is even suffocating to me, so I don’t think I can direct one.”
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That being said, it is pretty telling that the films that he referenced, Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” and Mangold’s “Logan,” are about as far away from the idea of traditional superheroes are you can get. And when it comes to auteurs such as Bong, would you ever want them to actually take on a “Thor” sequel or “Captain Marvel?” Sure, it would be fun in the sense that anything they make is interesting. But he’s absolutely right to want to do things that he’s “suitable” for and not try to force himself to make a blockbuster just because that’s what’s popular. I digress.
TL;DR – Bong isn’t into superhero films and doesn’t seem to think he’d make one that Marvel would want. So, that’s just never going to happen. And we’re perfectly okay with that.