Marvel’s Horror Future: Will They Trust the Philippou Brothers?

by

Danny and Michael Philippou, the unpredictable Australian pair responsible for films like “Talk to Me” and “Bring Her Back”, have revealed they had a general discussion with Marvel in a recent Project TV interview. While details are scarce, the timing of this meeting has sparked curiosity among fans. The acclaimed dark thriller “Bring Her Back”, which draws from real-life tragedies and is receiving early accolades for its chilling intensity, could be a hint. It’s not common for Marvel to engage with directors like this without purpose. Therefore, it’s plausible to speculate that if the Philippous are in talks with Marvel, it might be for a project leaning towards horror or the supernatural.

Two projects instantly spring to mind – “Blade” and “Ghost Rider”. The former has been stalled in production for quite some time now, while the latter remains a beloved property yet to receive an appropriate R-rated adaptation. There’s also buzz that Marvel is negotiating with Ryan Gosling to play Ghost Rider, potentially debuting him in “Avengers: Doomsday”. If this speculation is accurate and the Phillipous are involved, Marvel could be on track for a unique and exciting project.

Ryan Gosling & The Philippous Are Controlled Chaos

Gosling could be an excellent pick for the role of Ghost Rider, given his versatility as an actor. He’s hilarious in “The Nice Guys,” chilling in “Drive,” and has a knack for playing complex characters that are both subdued and off-center. Gosling would fit perfectly for a more somber, intense Ghost Rider. The Philippou brothers, known for their chaotic yet refined directing style, could be an ideal match. They excel at managing chaos without it becoming messy, understanding when to build tension and when to release it completely.

In the film “Talk to Me“, the initial part presents as a lively supernatural party movie with teenagers engaging in ghostly adventures. However, it’s entertaining, even comical, until there’s an abrupt change of mood. The injury suffered by Mia’s brother dramatically alters the atmosphere. It becomes terrifying rather than enjoyable. This sudden shift in tone seems justified as the filmmakers skillfully execute this transition within less than 95 minutes, demonstrating a level of mastery akin to Ari Aster.

Initial responses to “Bring Her Back” indicate that the filmmakers have intensified their approach. It has been described as unyielding, unsettling, and ruthless. If Marvel entrusts the Philippous with a horror project, it seems unlikely they would be given free rein to mimic A24’s style, but rather, they will be allowed to infuse the MCU with their unique rhythm and thematic sensibilities. This is the key to making a horror installment in the franchise feel innovative once more.

We’ve Seen What Happens When Marvel Doesn’t Commit

And here’s where we need to talk about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I find myself reflecting on the fascinating shift of creative forces behind the upcoming Doctor Strange sequel. Scott Derrickson, who significantly shaped Marvel’s unique interpretation of Doctor Strange, parted ways due to artistic disagreements. He envisioned a more horrifying narrative, but Marvel seemed to lean towards a different direction. To fill this void, they’ve wisely recruited Sam Raimi, a horror maestro with MCU experience thanks to his work on the Evil Dead series and the original Spider-Man trilogy.

Raimi has maintained a public, friendly approach. During an interview with Collider, he shared that Marvel provided suggestions like enthusiastic fans, supported him, and made the process collaborative. However, despite this, the end result still felt somewhat restricted. There were numerous reshoots involved. It’s rumored that Raimi had a longer, more terrifying version initially, but in the final product, two voices seem to talk over each other simultaneously.

The street-level monster fight in New York, the Zombie Strange incident, and the temple massacre; that’s Raimi showcasing his unique style. However, the Illuminati scene, the third-eye post-credit, and the frequent use of humor that undermines the tone? That’s the Marvel factory at work. The film is decent overall, but it had the potential to be daring and terrifying with a clear, unified vision.

Marvel Keeps Hiring Visionaries Just To Pull Them Back

This isn’t a fresh observation. Edgar Wright and Ant-Man are almost like a ghost tale in the MCU. Marvel initially planned for him to star in a realistic, stylish superhero heist movie, but then they became hesitant. The outcome? He walked away. What we ended up with was… satisfactory, but some will always ponder about what his take on it could have been.

Marvel tends to bring on board dynamic directors and gradually mold their unique styles to fit its established framework. While this ensures uniformity, it can lead to a form of creative exhaustion, affecting both the creators and the audience alike.

It appears that James Gunn is taking lessons from Marvel’s errors while working on DC. According to Entertainment Weekly, Gunn mentioned that the DCU films will offer a distinct perspective from the creators themselves, implying a shared universe but with unique identities for each movie.

Contemplate how different events might unfold if Andy Muschietti takes on the role of directing The Brave and the Bold. If he accepts, it’s worth noting that although he has already directed The Flash, his most impressive work was arguably done under challenging circumstances. Similarly, he also directed IT, and his unique style could bring a more whimsical, fantastical touch to the darker, more comic-book-esque world of Gotham.

If Marvel Wants Horror To Work, Let Directors Do Their Job

If Marvel truly intends to introduce horror elements into the MCU, they must fully embrace this venture. This involves putting faith in directors like the Philippous to genuinely create horrifying experiences. It also means trusting actors like Gosling to deliver depth rather than just witty banter. It’s crucial that Marvel learns from the missteps in “Multiverse of Madness” and what nearly worked, so they can let the Philippou brothers take the lead and bring their vision to life.

Read More

2025-05-30 00:04