Should Deadpool's Tim Miller Direct The Batman?

DC Movie fans recently got a major upset when it was announced that Ben Affleck had dropped out of [...]

By Kofi Outlaw - February 6, 2017 03:48 pm EST

DC Movie fans recently got a major upset when it was announced that Ben Affleck had dropped out of directing The Batman. Since then, there's been buzz about who could step in to take over the director's chair, with a shortlist of possible directors having recently been revealed.

However, while DC Films and Warner Bros. are back on the search for a Batman director, fans have been busy discussing and strategizing about which director(s) could take on the job. But aside from the usual calls for Zack Snyder or Chris Nolan to once again take on Batman, there's one new name that keeps popping up in fan discussion: Deadpool's Tim Miller.

As Miller moves on from the Deadpool franchise and The Batman searches for a new director, it would seem that fate itself is asking the question: Should Tim Miller direct The Batman?

He Has Proven Chops

Tim Miller was a breakout name thanks to Deadpool. But before Marvel, his Batman vs. Deathstroke fight sequence cut scene from Batman: Arkham Origins had already become a viral hit.

It's that Batman vs Deathstroke fight sequence that proves Miller understands the dynamics of the character, and how to make him look exciting in an action movie context.

Since Miller earned the Deadpool director's chair in much the same way (a CGI fight sequence), logic follows that he could make something exciting and awesome out of a Batman movie, as well.

He Has a Unique Visual Style

What put Tim Miller in the Deadpool's director chair was the unique visual style he displayed in the test footage reel that was eventually released online.

The Batman movie franchise has benefitted greatly from being in the hands of great visionary directors who possess a unique visual style - probably why filmmakers like Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan have been such good fits for the character and material.

Tim Miller is one such kind of director - getting him into a Batman movie when (as mentioned) he's already shown such prowess for it is kind of a no-brainer. It wouldn't just be good for the action - Miller's dark edgy style in Deadpool could make a Batman detective story just as exciting.

He Knows How to Twist the Formula

While Deadpool definitely had Ryan Reynolds' comedic sensibilities written all over it, Miller was also involved in crafting a superhero movie that at once emulated the tropes of the genre; mocked them; and also exceeded what most superhero movies can do in terms of action and thrills.

That takes a sensibility and awareness that fans should respect. Miller was able to crack the hard nut of a character as iconic as Deadpool, and leave fans not only happy but pleasantly surprised, as well. If he can do that with Deadpool, he definitely qualifies as the next director who can deliver that Batman movie we never saw coming, but so badly need (see also: Tim Burton, Chris Nolan).

...He May Be Busy

The only downside to Tim Miller possibly making The Batman is that he may be busy right now!

Tim Miller is up to directa Terminator reboot with James Cameron serving as producer/advisor. That's a big job that would keep Miller busy for the next year or two; the entire reason that there was turbulence between Ben Affleck and Warner Bros. in the first place, was due to the studio wanting to get The Batman into production in 2017 for release in 2018 (replacing Justice League 2).

If DC/WB doesn't act fast, any talk of Tim Miller directing The Batman could be over before it begins.