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What?! Darren Aronofsky is No Longer Set to Direct 'The Wolverine'
by Ethan Anderton
March 17, 2011
Source: Deadline
After hearing the official news that Darren Aronofsky was going to direct the comic book sequel The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman, my excitement couldn't have been higher. And hearing the Black Swan director talk about his interest in the project was enough to make me forget that X-Men Origins: Wolverine even happened. However, it sounds like some personal issues will prevent the brilliant filmmaker from taking on the studio tentpole as Deadline reports Aronofsky has backed out of directing the film due to his divorce from actress Rachel Weisz, the custody of their son, and the long shooting schedule in Japan.
The good news is that there doesn't seem to be any bad blood between Aronofsky and the studio (which is great since he has a new two-year production deal with Fox), but the bad news is Aronofsky isn't directing the sequel. The director issued this statement:
"As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of ‘The Wolverine’ would keep me out of the country for almost a year. I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won't be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again."
The studio was equally disappointed but understanding of the issues at hand saying:
While we are of course disappointed that Darren can’t do ‘The Wolverine’, we also understand and respect his reasons. Having done both ‘The Wrestler’ and ‘Black Swan’ with Darren, we know he is an extraordinary talent and we look forward to working with him on other projects in the future. Hugh Jackman and Fox both remain fully committed to making ‘The Wolverine’. We will regroup and move forward aggressively.”
Well, there's nothing else to say except that this just plain blows. Having an artistic and brilliant director like Aronofsky aboard a big comic book film like The Wolverine just had me drooling. Take this incident combined with his falling away from that RoboCop remake (which now has a different director), maybe this is a sign that Aronofsky should never do a big studio movie. Either way, Fox has to find a new director. David Slade (Twilight Eclipse, Hard Candy) was once rumored to direct the sequel, but now that he's taking on a Daredevil reboot, I doubt Fox will snag him for the job. So who do you think should direct The Wolverine now?
63 Comments
1
This is terrible news! So sad. I hope they find someone worthy enough to take up the mantle.
Ron on Mar 17, 2011
2
Well Crap!
Anonymous on Mar 17, 2011
3
But maybe he'll do Superman now!
Jamie on Mar 17, 2011
4
NOOOOOOO! For some reason, I dont want another Wolverine if Aronofsky dont direct it. 🙁
xamel on Mar 17, 2011
5
Sucks, BIG TIME. Project is dead now.
Have Hope on Mar 17, 2011
6
Agreed. Don't have any real interest in this thing anymore. Might as well just call it X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2
ScottyR37 on Mar 17, 2011
7
Sorry people, but any chance Wolverine had of being something special have now officially gone.
Have Hope on Mar 17, 2011
8
Yeah... I have no interest in this movie anymore.
Chazzy on Mar 17, 2011
9
Pussy...
DarkPassenger29 on Mar 17, 2011
10
Totally. Such a pussy move to put family first when you're in a custody battle with your ex-wife, because being away for a year to shoot a movie certainly looks good when you're trying to show that you're committed to your child and suitable for custody. But, to be fair, who knows if that's even the real reason or if FOX was just trying to bully Aronofsky into a different direction that he wasn't willing to go, and this was a good excuse. It wouldn't surprise me.
Anonymous on Mar 17, 2011
11
I don't think anyone here is commenting that Aronofsky's decision is a poor choice personally, just that the project suffers from the departure of a visionary filmmaker.
ScottyR37 on Mar 17, 2011
12
Aronofsky was the only reason I was going to see this - the only thing that could overcome the incompetence of FOX. I'll pass on Daredevil, FF and anything X-men until Marvel gets them back.
Matt on Mar 17, 2011
13
who cares who's directing Wolverine? The only reason to see it would've been Aronofsky. But now I'm excited he can move on to an original story that would be brilliant. That's the movie to anticipate!
Murtada_fadl on Mar 17, 2011
14
I don't care.
Guest on Mar 17, 2011
15
I DO NOT CARE!
FRANKIE NONECK on Mar 17, 2011
16
I think FOX should get Doug Liman or Kazuaki Kiriya to do the movie.
Guest on Mar 17, 2011
17
Let me guess, Bret Ratner gonna direct it?
Anonymous on Mar 17, 2011
18
Only option, Shamalayan.
Nathan on Mar 17, 2011
19
Hang on a sec....they're doing a Daredevil reboot? ...fail
lego on Mar 17, 2011
20
COULD ARONOFSKY BE REPLACING SNYDER ON SUPERMAN?!?!?
Jamie on Mar 17, 2011
21
why would he?
Anonymous on Mar 17, 2011
22
I hope that was true. But let Snyder keep Superman. Don't care about that project
Have Hope on Mar 17, 2011
23
Because Sucker Punch is reportedly a disaster. It's a conspiracy theory, but would you be at all surprised if FOX made that move?
Bart on Mar 17, 2011
24
OMG they erased the speculation! It must be true!
WOW on Mar 17, 2011
25
What did he write....comment removed?
McWilly on Mar 21, 2011
26
I'm pretty sure Aronofsky woke up and realized he'd be slumming it up in comic-book-movie-sequel-ville. These types of films are for directors looking to get to his level, not directors already at his level. The Wolverine franchise is tainted at this point, all used up for a while.
Bart on Mar 17, 2011
27
I'm surprised no one involved is concerned with the Japan Nuclear situation? Can you put together a quality production in Japan right now, never mind keep the crew safe?
Day on Mar 17, 2011
28
Hugh can stop with the workouts now. Given current events, this movie won't be made in Japan anytime soon. Plus Aronofsky was the only factor that made it have ANY potential at all.
Mini on Mar 17, 2011
29
If the studio forced this site to erase the speculation that Aronofsky is replacing Snyder, then IT MUST BE TRUE! WOW WOW WOW
WOW on Mar 17, 2011
30
you're morphing into a troll, be careful.
Anonymous on Mar 17, 2011
31
Why else would they force the speculation to be erased? The only reason they do that sort of thing is when the truth gets out.
Stay Tuned on Mar 17, 2011
32
possible reasons: Its an ignorant suggestion. Why would the studio OK Snyder/Nolan for Supes just to rip the rug out from underneath Snyder? Aronofsky left Wolverine, that does not mean he's gonna automatically get Superman. If I'm wrong I'll admit my mistake, but odds are I'm not.
Anonymous on Mar 18, 2011
33
They'd never erase the speculation unless it was true. It's just another random post if it was false. Nobody would care. But if it is TRUE? Better take it down fast! Wow. This is amazing. Aronofsky was most people's first choice. So exciting.
Jamie on Mar 18, 2011
34
How's that at all related to trolling?
Awtan90 on Mar 17, 2011
35
Looks like it to me, opinion...not fact, mind you.
Anonymous on Mar 18, 2011
36
I bet Singer will take over!
Ryderup on Mar 17, 2011
37
Or wait for it... Ratner!
Ryderup on Mar 17, 2011
38
YAYAAAAAYYYYYYY!!! Aronofsky was too good for Wolverine anyways. This makes me happy, I can go back to boycotting Wolverine movies again. Win-Win!!!!
Voice of Reason on Mar 17, 2011
39
The Wolverine just went from can't wait to who gives a shit...
Phontsolo on Mar 17, 2011
40
Now... what if Tarantino picked up the project?
Smendoza on Mar 17, 2011
41
oh well...DEADPOOL!!!!!!!!!!
Jericho on Mar 17, 2011
42
Damnit. This sucks. But, I get the family thing. Would've been sweet, though.
DwainIBe on Mar 17, 2011
43
HAHA of course Aronofsky wasn't going to do it. Guaranteed Fox let him do Black Swan if he agreed to do Wolverine. Then after Black Swan Oscar buzz died down he would mysteriously back out of the project No surprise here. Fox isn't mad because he probably set the budget for the film super high for really artsy B.S. that he knew the producers would hate. GAH go Aronofsky!
Bubbab on Mar 18, 2011
44
got all our hopes up, got us thinking we were actually going to get thew wolverine we all want... WHAT A COCK TEASE
Anonymous on Mar 18, 2011
45
Aronofsky is super smart. i knew this would happen.
happy camper on Mar 18, 2011
46
I THINK NOLAN would be perfect to direct. he is very good at getting depth fom his actors/characters.
Luke Roinson on Mar 18, 2011
47
welp there goes this movie.
Anonymous on Mar 18, 2011
48
Actually if you jump over to comicbookmovie website you'll find out that there was some actual bad blood between Darren and the studio. Apparently after Darren got nominated for Black Swan he wanted more control over The Wolverine and the studio only offered him more money which he did not want and so they told him to walk if he did not like the offer. God I hate Fox for destroying Marvel properties.
Last Son on Mar 18, 2011
49
Not in the least bit disappointed by this news. Aronofsky would be working below himself, frankly, doing an X-Men entry. All his other projects have been remarkable left-field character studies, and I just don't see why he would spend a couple of years developing an entry for this fairly mediocre franchise such as this, anymore than he would direct say, a Bond movie. There are plenty of other directors more suited to this, who will still keep the fanboys happy. Darren deserves a bigger challenge.
Fellintoorbit on Mar 18, 2011
50
he wanted to do it cuz for the first time he wanted to make a movie other people wanted to see not just him...
Croniccris on Mar 18, 2011
51
Ah, sad news, but family comes first. Btw, I seem to have misplaced JJ Abrams phone no#, andyone have it?
David Banner on Mar 18, 2011
53
does no1 think that the earthquake had some part in this? can understand his point about his family. Also agree that fox is possibly the worst studio in existence, the sooner they lose all their marvel rights the better!
Wallywest_aka_flash on Mar 18, 2011
54
That's two films Aronofsky has dropped out of that I would see him direct (first Robocop, and now this)...
zdude on Mar 18, 2011
55
Good for him. When Arthouse directors try the big budget thing it's usually a huge flop (think David Lynch doing 'Dune' or Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette').
David Perretta on Mar 18, 2011
56
Leave it to a broad to ruin everything
Stinkyballz on Mar 18, 2011
57
ya right he didn't leave cuz of a custody battle he left because fox wouldnt give him total control of the film and darren ALWAYS has total control thats why his films are so great
Croniccris on Mar 18, 2011
58
He left because he didn't want to make this. Pure and simple. Whatever his intentions for leaving, this is a brilliant move on his part. Marvel is a crapshoot in the comics into movies business. Only a few of the many films Marvel has made are worth mentioning, and none of those compare to anything that DC has done in the past decade. No surprise that Arny left.
Quazzimotto on Mar 19, 2011
59
DC Modern movies- The Dark Knight series....Awesome but Nolen could direct a catwoman movie and win Superman Returns - suckfest Watchmen 50/50split...but I loved it Jonah Hex - suckfest Green Lantern Looks horrible New Superman- unknown Marvel Modern Movies- 1998 Blade New Line Cinema / Marvel Studios 2000 X-Men Loved it 2002 Blade II it was alright Spider-Man - Loved it Daredevil - Meh X2 -loved it Hulk suckfest The Punisher - Yuck Spider-Man 2 - yuck Blade: Trinity- meh Elektra - suckfest Fantastic Four - Suckfest X-Men: The Last Stand Suck Fest Ghost Rider - suckfest Fantastic Four SuckFest Iron Man loved it The Incredible Hulk LikedIt! Punisher:SuckFest Wolverine- suckfest Iron Man 2 Iwas entertained but meh Thor awaiting not sure yet X-Men: First class - looks good The First Avenger Marvel- looks good Ghost Rider reboot-awaiting, meh The Amazing Spider- awaiting exited The Avengers-exited Iron Man 3-Awaiting My vote is Marvel
McWilly on Mar 21, 2011
60
Meant to say Spiderman 2 likedit left out spiderman3 - suckfest. But DC just got lucky with Nolan! Marvel is pumping out a lot of "shit" but as a fanboy even if its a suckfest i was usually entertained from the DVD and there most def.trying to perfect the art and have had alot of hits. DC hasnt got much except the Nolan factor in the Dark Knight series
McWilly on Mar 21, 2011
61
nooo! but i respect his wishes
A5J4DX on Mar 19, 2011
62
It is good news! Maybe they will end up not doing it after all!
Gh on Mar 21, 2011
63
Wow, I think I'm the only one that's actually relieved. Aronofsky is a brillant director and he would definitely make a better Wolverine than most other directors today would, but even he couldn't have made THAT great a film out of this superhero flick. Seriously, Wolverine is no Batman, and it wouldn't have helped Aronofsky's career. Also I don't like Hugh Jackman.
Terry Craig on Mar 22, 2011
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