Sony shared that they’re looking to replace director Ruben Fleischer for the Venom sequel. Venom did over 800 million at the international box office. Sony is hoping to compete with Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, or at least hold their own. With films like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse winning awards, Sony’s best bet seems to be changing up things behind the scenes. Sony has a rare opportunity to make real headway in the film. With Kelly Marcel penning the sequel, here are 5 directors who could continue Sony’s inclusive streak and push for more diversity in Hollywood when tackling such an iconic character.
Gina-Prince Blythewood
Gina-Prince Blythewood has done everything from television to film. From Love and Basketball to the pilot episode of Cloak & Dagger, Blythewood brings a gritty real take to any characters she tackles. Blythewood respects the concept of an anti-hero. She’s familiar with Marvel characters and she’s a well-known name who could deliver a major film. She’d be perfect to continue Eddie’s journey, catalogue his struggles with Carnage AND Venom, and add a touch of romance.
Blythewood was slated to direct Silver & Black, working with Westworld screenwriter Lisa Joy. While the status of Silver & Black is up in the air, Sony shouldn’t let a director this talented slip away.
Kari Skogland
Another director with Marvel credits, Kari Skogland has experience playing on the darker side of the Marvel fence. The Canadian born director has shown she can handle a big budget for television and deliver quality products. Someone familiar with the way Marvel works is a must, but Kari can take it a step further. One of the most intriguing characters in Venom was She-Venom. Kari has experience with delivering powerful male and female characters. Skogland has directed episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale. She’d be a great person to develop She-Venom into a real character. She could also do incredible work with Hardy, Harrelson, and venom and carnage. Venom is a canonically nonbinary character. A woman would deliver an incredible take on the story.
Jennifer Lynch
Jennifer Lynch, daughter of David Lynch, is a good director in her own right. She has experience working with both the macabre and unusual thanks to a lifetime of experience with horror films. Lynch sits on the board of directors for the Hollywood Museum and Horror. She’s got experience directing Vincent D’Onofrio in the film Chained – focused on a cab driving serial killer.
Lynch’s experience in horror makes her an ideal candidate, but she’s also delivered powerful stories about family. At its heart any story involving Carnage should be about family. Lynch was behind Daredevil Season 3, Episode 9. Dealing with the fall out of the discovery of Sister Margaret, Jennifer Lynch built up great tension before the church battle in Daredevil Season 3. She also directed episodes of Agents of SHIELD and Jessica Jones.
Lexi Alexander
Our second to last pick already has one cult-classic Marvel film on the books. Alexander is responsible for Punisher: War Zone, widely regarded as a defining adaptation of the character. War Zone delivered a realistic street-smart punisher and realistic fight scenes. The director was unflinching with the gore, really digging into what makes Frank Castle tick. Alexander could easily translate those skills to a film like Venom and explore the darker side of Eddie and Venom’s relationship, not to mention delivering the hideousness that is Carnage in a way that would make die-hard Venom fans and newer Venom fans looking for the gore happy.
The director can deliver action, street smart characters, and horror. Unafraid to show the ugly side, Alexander would be a great choice if Sony was looking for a director, especially if they were looking for the R-rated glory Venom deserves.
An Unknown Talent
Sony has already stated that Venom script-writer Kelly Marcel will be returning to pen the sequel. Marcel is poised to catapult to star status if Venom succeeds and builds on the success of the first film. It’s not an easy task and it would require a director who could turn Carnage into a power-house force of nature and continue what Sony is building for it’s Marvel properties.
There are a number of directors out there, but there are even more directors waiting in the wings in the horror genre and otherwise. Sony should consider an unknown director who could kill Venom and balance the twisted relationship between Eddie and Venom and their heroism. There’s a lot to be said for choosing an unknown director. Something like this could lift a female director out of obscurity and put them on the A-List.
Sony has started to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. People are calling for it and Sony is listening. Consequently, Sony must consider a woman director. Whoever they chose will be great, but this is a real chance to keep the streak going and carry Sony swinging and slobbering into the future.
Who would you like to direct the Venom sequel? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!