Highlights
- Marvel Studios often chooses indie talent for projects, such as the Russo brothers for Avengers, showing a history of risky choices.
- Shawn Levy was considered to direct Avengers but may be a safer choice; a departure from the usual risky director choices.
- Levy has the talent for the job, but may lack the edge needed for a franchise with a large cast and complex storyline.
Marvel Studios is known for bringing in indie talent to helm some of its biggest titles. In fact, two of the studios’ biggest films to date have been directed by television directors: Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Anthony and Joe Russo did the impossible with the two Avengers films, balancing a major cast of Marvel’s mightiest heroes, while still delivering a cohesive story that provided an ending of sorts for everything that came before it. However, the decision to bring Anthony and Joe Russo on board to direct the movies was still a risky choice. Unlike the studios’ latest Avengers director hopeful.
Deadline recently reported that Deadpool & Wolverine director, Shawn Levy, was being eyed to direct the next Avengers film. In fact, the outlet reported the gig had been offered to Levy earlier this year, but the director was forced to decline due to scheduling conflicts. With those conflicts having since been handled, it appears the studio is keen to land Levy once and for all, but is Levy a safe choice for a franchise that is used to taking risks?
Levy’s Resume is Impressive, but is he the Right Choice?
When it comes to Hollywood, Levy has been around for quite some time. The ever-busy director has directed episodes of shows like The Secret World of Alex Mack, Animorphs, and Birds of Prey. While on the big screen, Levy has directed big-budget films such as Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum, Real Steel, and Free Guy. However, his most popular title these days remains Netflix’s Stranger Things, which Levy also serves as an executive producer on. There’s no denying Levy has an impressive resume to back up his talent. However, is Levy necessarily the best choice for the next Avengers film? As it stands, Deadpool & Wolverine looks likely to be a much-needed success for Marvel Studios, judging by the film’s advance ticket sales. More importantly, though, the studio appears to be happy with the film, and looks more than ready to stay in business with the director. It seems like a win-win, by all accounts, but Levy also feels like the safest choice the studio could make.
Marvel Studios has always bet on the small guy. The studio has helped directors like James Gunn and Taika Waititi, talent who had already proven their worth prior, become household names after tackling films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor. These are directors with their own styles and visions that managed to leave their marks on their respective franchises. They were risks that ultimately paid off. When it comes to Levy, though, bringing him on for The Avengers feels like the studio is trying to avoid taking risks by bringing in someone who can work within their confines, but still deliver a quality product. Which begs to question: is Levy the right choice for The Avengers? The director is talented, and he’s already built a relationship with the studio, but with talent like Ryan Coogler and Sam Raimi having also worked with the studio, it’s strange that Marvel is opting for safe for one of its most important franchises. If anything, the Russo brothers’ ability to successfully pull off Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame should have the studio looking beyond its comfort zone for directors.
What Makes Levy a Safe Choice?
That, of course, isn’t to say Levy wouldn’t deliver a quality Avengers film. In fact, it seems more than likely Levy would do just fine, having worked in cameos for Deadpool & Wolverine already. However, with such an established director, one who seems able to jump into any genre without issue, Levy feels like a ‘yes man’ for the studio. Someone who can do the job without issue. This normally wouldn’t be a problem, but with a film franchise like The Avengers, there needs to be some risks. With new heroes set to join the franchise, and older heroes seemingly on their way out, Marvel Studios has a lot to tackle in the next Avengers movie. Even more noteworthy, however, is that some of the trades are reporting that over sixty heroes are expected to appear in the film. With such a massive cast, and a sure to be long shoot, one has to wonder if the studio is seeking Levy as the director simply because he’s proven capable of handling a massive cast with projects like Stranger Things and even Deadpool & Wolvertine.
As it stands, Levy is a good director. He’s talented, and has proven he’s capable of delivering a quality film. Should talks take, there’s no denying Levy could deliver a solid Avengers film. However, with directors like Coogler and Raimi who have their own very exciting style, there’s no denying Levy is a very safe choice for Marvel Studios. For now, fans can see what Levy has to bring to the Marvel Cinematic Universe when Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters in July.
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