Filmmaker Drew Goddard is in an odd position, right now. His newest film, “Bad Times at the El Royale,” is hitting theaters this weekend, but all people seem to want to talk about with him are superhero films. You see, Goddard has been attached to write and direct a couple of superhero projects over the years, and in an age where superhero movies rule the day, Goddard is expected to talk about them. Adding to that is the idea that both superhero films he’s been attached to could eventually fall apart due to things outside of his control.
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The film on everyone’s mind right now when they talk to Goddard is “X-Force.” The superhero team-up flick is set to combine the talents of Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, and Zazie Beetz as Deadpool, Cable, and Domino, respectively. However, with the Disney/Fox merger completing in the beginning of 2019, it looks like “X-Force” is in limbo. But Goddard is hopeful and explains to THR why he thinks “X-Force” is special.
“What ‘Deadpool’ is to the superhero movie, ‘X-Force’ can be to the team superhero movie. Similarly, I just want to work with Ryan. I just want to work with Josh. I just want to work with Zazie. I just want to work with them. They are very exciting, wonderful artists and that’s the other side of this that makes it fun,” explained Goddard.
With the status of that film in jeopardy, the situation brings to mind the other major film that the director was attached to that fell apart due to studio decisions — “The Sinister Six.” For those that don’t remember, Goddard was attached to write and direct a film that would combine all the Spider-Man villains as they attempt to defeat the hero once and for all. However, with Sony deciding to make a deal with Marvel Studios and drastically alter its Spider-Man plans, ‘Sinister Six’ fell apart.
The filmmaker still has a fondness for that film and hopes one day to bring it back:
“[‘Sinister Six’] was really fun. I wouldn’t have done it had I not thought there was a real opportunity to do something different and exciting and just flat-out bananas. It was very much me and — a much more commercial version of — the ‘Cabin [in the Woods]’ mentality. The punk rock mentality that led to ‘Cabin’ is very much at the core of ‘Sinister Six.’ That’s a fun one. Who knows, it could see the light of day. It’s funny, I’ve been through a lot of volatility at a lot of different studios. Between MGM and Sony and Fox. At a certain point, you start to realize, ‘Oh, this is just a volatile business’ and you try to stay afloat as the boat rocks back and forth.”
At this point it’s unlikely that ‘Sinister Six’ ever sees the light of day, but it would be interesting to find out more about what Goddard had in mind. Perhaps, Sony will revive the concept for its extended Spider-Verse that seems to be off to a strong start with “Venom?”
“Battle at the El Royale” is in theaters now.