While we all are waiting the results of this past weekend’s reported screentests for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man, let’s turn to Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios’ ongoing search for someone to direct the solo adventures of the webslinging superhero.
Deadline is reporting today that the two studios have narrowed down their possible choice to just five directors. Some of the names on this new list are the same as were reported on at the beginning of last month, but there are a few new comers as well. Still
Ted Melfi (St. Vincent), Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies) and John Francis Daley & Jonathan M. Goldstein (this summer’s Vacation franchise reboot), with Melfi and Levine reportedly being the lead contenders. New to the list is Jon Watts, whose feature film debut Cop Car with Kevin Bacon generated some very positive buzz at Sundance earlier this year. Falling off the list are Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) and Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite).
Reportedly, the studio wants franchise producer Amy Pascal and Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige to reach a decsision fairly quickly. Deadline is also stating that it is unclear as to whether the chosen director will be writing the film as well, as Marvel and Sony have been meeting with writers as well. It should be noted, though, that all of the directors here have written their own films, with the exception of John Francis Daley & Jonathan M. Goldstein, who had a number of produced screenplays to their credit before they switched to directing. It seems clear that whomever gets the job will be having an active hand in the writing.
Spider-Man will make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in next May’s Captain America: Civil War before swinging off to his own solo movie in 2017.
