Yes, seriously. Deadline reports that 20th Century Fox has narrowed down their choice for the director’s chair for “X:Men Origins: Wolverine 2” to the previously revealed David Slade and….Darren Aronofsky.
Yeah, we did a double take as well, as Aronofsky seems like an outrageously odd choice. Jackman, who starred in Aronofsky’s “The Fountain,” has apparently been talking with the director about the film but we would guess that’s about as far as its gone. We’re pretty sure that Aronofsky, who is delivering what is most likely to be the biggest film of his career with “Black Swan,” has little interest in helming a franchise sequel (along with the creative constraints and limitations such a production would impose). Certainly, David Slade is much more familiar working in tentpole/action territory having helmed “30 Days Of Night” and this summer’s “Twilight: Eclipse” and he’s expected to land the gig. As for Robert Schwentke, who was once in contention, he has apparently been keeping his eyes on “The Osterman Weekend” and “R.I.P.D.” with Ryan Reynolds.
If anything, this story reveals just how much clout Jackman holds over the franchise and in the decision to choose the director. And certainly, Fox wants to make sure their star is happy (we also wouldn’t be surprised if “Aronofsky takes a meeting” has become “Aronofsky in contention!” just to make Slade’s agents nervous and lower his fee). But ultimately, the choice will still be relatively safe as there is a lot of money on the line. But, like the almost-Aronofsky-helmed “Batman” project that never happened, we can always imagine what could have been.