Venom was one of last year’s biggest surprises at the box office. Internationally, it amassed over $850 million. The film also illustrated the divide between critics and general audiences. Venom’s PG-13 rating, along with a lack of Spider-Man, didn’t seem to deter fans from seeing the movie. Sony has already announced a sequel for the film, which will hit theaters by 2020.
One of Venom‘s original screenwriters – along with key cast members and producers – are set to return for Venom 2. However, director Ruben Fleischer will not be returning. He’s currently working on Zombieland: Double Tap, which means Sony needs to find a new director for the Venom sequel. But what qualities would Sony look for in a new helmer? Since the first film tapped heavily into comedy and action, the studio may want a director who can handle both aspects. Perhaps a horror director would be better suited for the next film, since Carnage is the primary antagonist. Even before Cletus Kasady received the Carnage symbiote, he was an extremely violent serial killer. To capture that element, it requires a helmer who can really make Carnage scary.
RELATED: 5 Things We Want To See in Venom 2
Ultimately, Sony needs a filmmaker with a unique, but ultimately specific vision, for both the characters and the movie as a whole. Some of the best candidates may not even be interested in making a genre movie. Regardless, there are a few unconventional choices who could be a great fit for Venom 2.
Which director do you want to see on Venom 2? Check out our picks, and then share a few of your own in the comment section below!
10 Directors Who Could Helm Venom 2
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J.A. Bayona
Although Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom's story was a letdown, JA Bayona’s direction was easily the highlight of the film.
Bayona has demonstrated that he can handle big effects movies with an emphasis on drama such as The Impossible and A Monster Calls. If he wanted to take on Venom 2, his Gothic horror influences would surely make him a great fit for scarier elements of the material.
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David F. Sandberg
The Shazam! director only has three feature films under his belt, but his upcoming DC adaptation seems to indicate that he can successfully handle comedy, special effects, and action.
His horror films, Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation, suggest that Sandberg could be a nice fit for Venom 2.
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Eli Roth
Eli Roth has focused on making horror movies throughout his career. However, his last two films have stepped into slightly different genres. Death Wish and The House With A Clock In It’s Walls.
Roth has proven that he has the capacity to handle PG-13 horror and effects, while also staying true to what he does best as a filmmaker. Perhaps it's time for Roth to take on a bigger challenge of Venom 2.
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Robert Rodriguez
Rodriguez has previously tackled almost every genre, which makes the journeyman director an interesting, but solid choice for Venom 2.
Rodriguez has a clear affinity for comic books, having made both Sin City movies. Rodriguez can certainly handle the action, comedy, and horror elements that Venom 2 needs to juggle to be successful.
Alita: Battle Angel has its problems, but the action wasn't one of them. We're still very much on board with Rodriguez as a potential helmer for this film.
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Susanne Bier
Although Bier’s name is not well known to American audiences, Netflix’s Bird Box will probably change that.
As the first female director to win a Golden Globe, Academy Award, and Emmy Award, the Danish filmmaker could prove to be an unconventional and interesting choice for Venom 2.
It’s unclear if Bier has any interest in something like this, but her previous films demonstrate that she has the chops to tell a great story.
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Kevin Smith
Fans often throw around Kevin Smith’s name to either write or direct a comic book movie. But Smith actually seems like a logical choice for Venom 2.
It’s well known that Smith is a huge comic book fan, and he’s also directed episodes The Flash & Supergirl.
Smith also has good horror chops, as demonstrated in both Red State and Tusk. The only question we have about Smith is whether he would finally go after a big comic book movie. He's proven to be a bit gunshy about it before.
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Karyn Kusama
Karyn Kusama is another unconventional choice for a movie like Venom 2, but she has steadily pumped out great genre film and television projects since her wonderful indie debut, Girlfight.
Between movies like Aeon Flux, Jennifer’s Body, The Invitation, and Destroyer, Kusama has shown the ability to tackle a variety of different projects.
Kusama may not have any desire to helm a genre film like Venom 2, but she certainly has the ability.
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Joseph Kahn
Joseph Kahn only has three feature films under his belt. However, he's also helmed music videos for some of the biggest artists on the planet.
Kahn is a huge comic book fan, who has circled films for Swamp Thing and Justice League Dark in the past. Torque, Detention, and most recently Bodied all showcase a filmmaker who has some wild concepts and ideas.
As the most divisive and eclectic filmmaker on this list, it’s actually his “bootleg” short film Power/Rangers that ultimately makes the best case for Kahn as the director for Venom 2.
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Jennifer Kent
Even though Jennifer Kent has only has one film under her belt, The Babadook showcases the exact style of horror and suspense that could benefit Venom 2.
The Australian actress turned director’s latest film, The Nightingale, is a period drama. That proves that she’s willing to stretch her limits as a filmmaker with more ambitious projects. However, her reluctance to on Hollywood scripts suggests that she would probably pass on this opportunity as well.
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Adam Wingard
Adam Wingard is probably a long shot due to the fact that he’s currently filming Godzilla vs. Kong for a 2020 release. However, he would still be a great fit for Venom 2 if it were ever to get pushed back.
Wingard’s 2017 remake of Death Note is another great example of a PG-13 style take on horror that could be effective for Venom 2. Although the director’s latest film will prove whether he can handle action, Wingard would be a really interesting and unexpected choice for the sequel.
