10 Great Directors Who Would Be Perfect for the DCU

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The DCU is off to a hot start with Creature Commandos, but the real show begins with Superman. This hotly anticipated franchise reboot has unending potential with James Gunn and Peter Safran setting the universe up. While they have the most say, individual writers and directors will be responsible for the outcome of specific projects. Gunn said the DCU is writer-driven, but directors have just as much say.

DC has so many phenomenal heroes and comics itching to be adapted onto the big screen, and who better to do so than some of the best directors in the world? This list will rank ten great directors who would be perfect for the DCU based on their talent, style, previous filmography, and potential projects. While there are many great creators, these ten stand out as DC’s best options for the future.

10

Coralie Fargeat

Potential Projects: Raven / Gotham City Sirens

While The Substance didn’t win as many awards as fans thought it would, it was still one of the best movies of 2025, proving Coralie Fargeat to be an impressive director. Her Oscar nominations surely got the attention of other studios wanting to experiment with their IPs, specifically DC. Even though The Substance is her most popular work, Revenge is another phenomenal film that proves her talent.

The DCU is already adding horror movies, including Swamp Thing and Clayface, the latter of which is similar to The Substance. While she would be great for many movies, including a darker take on Wonder Woman, a Raven or Gotham City Sirens project would suit her best. She could imbue each project with her staple horror or feminist themes, creating a profound and important story through these fan-favorite characters.

9

David Fincher

Potential Projects: The Question / Batman

It feels like it has been decades since fans have been asking David Fincher to join the DC Universe, and while it is doubtful, the dream is too good to let go. Known for his dark and gritty mystery films, such as Se7en and Fight Club, he would be perfect for the grounded and dark side of DC. Fincher is a renowned director who has created some of the most influential movies of our time.

While he has signed a deal with Netflix, all but assuring fans he won’t make a DC film, he is still a perfect candidate for many DC IPs. DCU’s Batman already has a director, and it isn’t likely to be grounded, but fans have wanted a Fincher Batman movie forever, and he would be perfect with his style. However, a realistic DCU project would be The Question, a grounded and gritty character with plenty of mystery storylines to adapt.

8

Blitz Bazawule

Potential Projects: Justice Society of America / Static Shock

Few talents in the world excel in multiple aspects, but Blitz Bazawule has established himself as a decorated director, author, rapper, songwriter, and producer. He may not be a household name, but he is an influential creator in more areas than one. His debut film was The Burial of Kojo, but he is more well-known for his splashy 2023 adaptation of The Color Purple.

This underrated director has a vibrant style and would be perfect for any colorful or showy DC IP, highlighting his distinct visual style. The Justice Society of America would be a suitably grand and profound project under Bazawule. However, he would be great with countless projects, including Cyborg, Hawkman, and Static Shock, which would all contain his staple style.

7

Jac Schaeffer

Potential Projects: Zatanna / Teen Titans

While most of this list includes directors who have not made superhero projects, that experience would be valuable and important for the DCU. Jac Schaeffer is currently attached to Marvel, most known as the creator of WandaVision and Agatha All Along. These two hits are some of the best MCU TV shows, highlighting her focus on female characters and supernatural creativity.

Marvel would be wise to keep her, but DC would be even wiser to try and bring her into this new and expansive universe to let her do whatever she wants. With Ana Nogueira writing Teen Tians, Schaeffer would make a great choice to helm the project. However, the most obvious choice would be Zatanna, who hasn’t appeared in live-action yet, as her character is most similar to Schaeffer’s other projects and would perfectly encapsulate that vibe and aesthetic.

6

Guillermo del Toro

Potential Projects: Justice League Dark / Etrigan

Some directors, like Fincher, have been fan-favorites to join the DC universe, but no name sticks out as much as Guillermo del Toro‘s. This acclaimed director is known for creating some of the most imaginative, dark, and bizarre films, such as Pan’s Labyrinth and Hellboy. His staple themes follow a misunderstood monster, which is why he was the best choice for Swamp Thing before James Mangold.

DC is the perfect home for him, having directed previous comic book adaptations. Del Toro was even attached to Justice League Dark, and while it isn’t likely he would return for it, the possibility is too great. The supernatural side of DC is overflowing with potential, and an Etrigan movie directed by del Toro would be a match made in heaven, where he can bring out the most of the character and his empathetic story.

5

Jeremy Saulnier

Potential Projects: Lobo / Bane/Deathstroke

Aaron Pierre is set to star as John Stewart alongside Kyle Chandler in the highly anticipated TV show Lanterns. However, why not bring director Jeremy Saulnier to the DCU, who directed Rebel Ridge, one of the best action movies of 2024? While his most recent is also his most popular, Saulnier also made Green Room, meaning his dark, gruesome, and gritty style is a perfect fit in the DCU.

Gunn originally wanted him to direct The Batman, but unfortunately, his gritty style wouldn’t fit the character in the DCU. However, there are still plenty of options, including Lobo, a DC villain most deserving of a solo movie. Another perfect project would be the rumored Bane/Deathstroke movie. His action-packed and bloody style would fit either of these two characters, making an ideal DC action movie.

4

Bong Joon Ho

Potential Projects: Fables / Green Arrow

Bong Joon Ho is already one of the most influential directors, with many masterpieces, including the recently released Mickey 17. While he has made countless great films, Parasite is his biggest so far, earning him an Oscar for Best Picture and highlighting a promising career that could extend to DC. He previously said he would be interested in a superhero film as long as the character is “in a very boxy costume.”

Thus, if he ever did decide to make a superhero film, it would instantly make DC an Oscar contender, no matter what it is. Bong would make any IP great, specifically a character in a thriller, such as Green Arrow, whose costume is decidedly not tigh-fitting (an issue Bong has with the genre as a whole). However, an underrated selection is The Fables, a group of fairy tale characters. This ensemble thriller would be wacky, suspenseful, dramatic, and imaginative, right up Bong’s alley.

3

Martin McDonagh

Potential Projects: Constantine / Suicide Squad

Many great superhero films were made by directors without any experience in the genre, which is why Martin McDonagh would be a dream selection. He is known for his absurdist dark humor, an aspect that would fit well into the DCU. His most popular films are the foundational 2000s black comedy In Bruges, 2017’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and 2022’s The Banshees of Inisherin, all of which received Oscar nominations.

While Constantine 2 is apparently in production, a DCU version with McDonagh at the helm would be a dream come true. He may not have much action or supernatural experience, but his dark comedy and dramatic style would make the perfect Constantine film. His distinct filmmaking would work for many DC IPs, such as another Suicide Squad if they want one, or Harley Quinn. Either way, any DC project by McDonagh would be highly anticipated.

2

Rose Glass

Potential Projects: New Gods / Green Lantern

Sometimes, newer or lesser-known directors are perfect for superhero films, giving them a chance to prove themselves on a large scale. While Rose Glass isn’t a rookie, she is relatively new despite her two prestigious feature films, Saint Maud and Love Lies Bleeding. Her acclaimed style of filmmaking and creativity would be ideal for a growing DCU.

Lanterns may already be a TV show, but Glass would excel in the sci-fi side of DC, and a Jessica Cruz or Lantern Corps movie would be a perfect fit. However, the best choice for her is undoubtedly New Gods, which was supposed to be part of the old DCEU under Ava DuVernay. Glass’ dark themes and filmmaking would make for a wild New Gods film, using an extensive cast and creating a perfect movie for some of the best DC characters.

1

Edgar Wright

Potential Projects: Plastic Man / Ambush Bug

It is criminal that Edgar Wright hasn’t made a superhero movie yet, considering his style is perfect for the genre. He was supposed to write and direct Ant-Man but left at the last minute because of creative differences. Wright is most known for his Cornetto Trilogy and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, both of which include his iconic editing and distinct style, which is a staple of cinema.

The possibilities are endless for an Edgar Wright DC film, whether he wants to incorporate his outline from Ant-Man to The Atom or choose a completely different character. The Flash would be a significant hero for Wright and a perfect fit with imaginative writing. Plastic Man is another iconic DC character who needs a movie, and Wright’s style would make it a must-watch DCU film. If he wants to go in a weird direction, Ambush Bug is a wild character with the potential to be the greatest DC movie. It will surely be a hit no matter what Wright does, meaning he is the perfect director for a future DCU project.

NEXT: 10 DC Heroes Better Than Most MCU Heroes

“}]] From Oscar winners like Guillermo del Toro to up-and-coming talents like Blitz Bazawule, these directors would be perfect for James Gunn’s DCU.  Read More