Summary

The studio administrator of Hollywood have occasionally hired a finical director to helm a picture which , at the time , seemed like a strange choice . However , in some cases , the risk of infection massively give off when the movie then debuted to wild critical acclamation and boxful role earnings . take a director who has had success with movies of a standardised genre is the safest approach , but a lesser - known name or someone with completely contrasting experience might still have the unique visual sensation and narrative idea that will make the pic an even bigger smasher .

It is always a point of pride to be able-bodied to calculate on someone no one else would have and learn them defy everyone ’s outlook . Additionally , hiring someone who has made too many standardized movies before can be a speculative thing ; it runs the risk of the final product being a generic carbon copy of lots of movies that came before it . Finally , many unexpected director option are tie in with beloved movie franchises , where their task was even more unmanageable due to audience expectations .

As one of the old of the most popular entertainment mediums , the flick manufacture has built an impressive catalog of fabled directors .

Collage of BlackKklansman, Barbie and The Irishman

10Peter Jackson - The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

Little-known horror director hired for a monumental literary fantasy epic.

Cast

The Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring is the first film in Peter Jackson ’s critically hail Lord of the Rings trilogy . The picture follows Frodo Baggins ( Elijah Woods ) as he is tasked with destroying the One Ring in the fervidness of Mount Doom after he inherits the ring .

former effort to capture the scale ofThe Lord of the Ringson - screen had proved to be unsuccessfulwhen New Line Cinema occupy a chance on a little - known revulsion music director to lead what would become the biggest phantasy motion-picture show franchise ever see . Peter Jackson ’s experience in horror doubtlessly benefited the depiction of themonsters inLord of the Rings , including the Nazgûl , Shelob , and Gollum . However , the studio apartment executives ultimately lucked out when it came to pick out a theatre director who was organized and had the good vision for the epical phantasy .

Few directors at the clock time had the experience of filming a movie with as big of a product asLord of the Rings , because few , if any , motion-picture show that fall before it were as large . Jackson had the arrant good sense of the phantasy setting he was mould with , as well as when to call something in effect enough and when to keep revising it . As the director , Jackson would have supervise the nail down versions of groundbreaking CGI or encouraged the VFX artists to keep working to make it good .

Remy standing in Linguini’s hand in front of the Eiffel Tower in Pixar’s Ratatouille.

9Francis Lawrence - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

One-time blockbuster director with inconsistent experience takes over the biggest Hollywood franchise at the time.

The second entry into the Hunger Games film franchise and based on Suzanne Collins ' Good Book of the same name , The Hunger Games : Catching Fire pick up briefly after the events of the first plastic film . return home to District 12 after their triumph at the 74th Annual Hunger Games , Katniss Everdeen ( Jennifer Lawrence ) and Peeta Mellark ( Josh Hutcherson ) get down to sense an imminent rebellion against the oppressive Capitol .

TheHunger Gamesmovie enfranchisement started thing off under the command of Gary Ross , who directed a strong flagship movie that captured the visuals and themes of its source material . Many would have wait Ross to stick with the theatrical role of managing director — butthe next pic , and every subsequentHunger Gamesinstallment , would be directed by Francis Lawrence . At the time , Lawrence had all-embracing experience directing music videos , while his full-grown Hollywood title were the average dramaWater for Elephantsand thedivisive blockbusterI Am Legend .

If Ross were no longer concerned , The Hunger Gameswould probably have attracted several massively successful directorsdue to being the pappa culture phenomenon of the moment . Lawrence was a reasonably underwhelming choice . However , he proved that he had the best understanding of theHunger Gamesbooks and how to accommodate them , and became the even conductor the franchise needed to have a consistent tone .

Christopher Nolan’s Cillian Murphy Oppenheimer and Wes Anderson character superimposed together over a classic cinema image

8Matt Reeves - Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)

The biggest franchise comeback of the decade passed to a rising action director.

A tenner after a deadly computer virus extinguish humanity , a burgeoning society of healthy apes , led by Caesar , finds its peaceful existence peril by a group of human subsister who slip up upon their sanctuary . As both sides make do with fear and mistrust , Caesar works to broker peace despite growing hostilities . The tension escalates , run to a dramatic clangor that will determine the futurity of both mintage .

Like withThe Hunger Games , the fresh series ofPlanet of the Apesmovies was initiate by a manager who did not stick around for the sequel . Rupert Wyatt was also an underdog theatre director who did the impossible . With little mainstream experience , he revitalized a enfranchisement that had been struggling for some meter . However , with many of theworstPlanet of the Apesmoviescoming right beforeRise of the Planet of the Apes , it is not impossible to trust that studio were willing to take a chance on a little - known director when the more acclaimed I would belike have turned down the labor .

On the other hand , Matt Reeves was put in charge of a enfranchisement that had recently made a monolithic comebackand tax with maintaining quality in the subsequence . At the time , Reeves had directed numerous tv set episode and one vampire military action movie . However , he attest with his twoPlanet of the Apesmovies his natural endowment for grainy action blockbusters with serious themes , leading to him working onThe BatmanandThe Batman Part II .

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7Andrew Adamson For The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005)

Beloved children’s fantasy literary franchise helmed by the director of Shrek.

Four siblings travel through a press to the magical domain of Narnia , which they are fate to save from the vicious White Witch .

To direct Hollywood ’s next epic fancy serial — one characterized by being the longtime peer and rival ofLord of the Rings — Disney opted for Andrew Adamson , whose filmography at the time wasShrekandShrek 2.Shrekshowcases an only different type of fantasy thanThe Chronicles of Narnia , one which is ironical and deconstructs childhood faerie tale rather than romanticizing them with a nostalgic fondness . Shrekalso would have lay an exclusively unlike bent of technical challenges , primarily concerning the then - very new use of 3D animation .

This announcement would have left audience enquire if Adamson could wield a big - scale leaf live - legal action production . The solvent turned out to be“yes,”andThe Lion , the Witch and the Wardrobeis still considered thebestNarniamovie . While Adamson ’s only otherNarniamovie , Prince Caspian , boast some divisive writing choices , it still upholds the grandness and yield qualityof its harbinger .

Headshot Of Elijah Wood

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is the first film in Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy. The movie follows Frodo Baggins (Elijah Woods) as he is tasked with destroying the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom after he inherits the ring.

6Brad Bird For Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011)

Famous Pixar director transitions to the quintessential live-action espionage blockbuster.

Mission : Impossible - Ghost Protocol follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they are disavowed after being falsely accused of flush it the Kremlin . In a backwash against time , they pursue a terrorist key Hendricks , who threatens global certificate with stolen Russian atomic launch codes , leading them on a spheric chase .

After create an understated entry into Hollywood withThe Iron Giant , Brad Bird cement his place in the industry as one of the names at the forefront of Pixar . He is the creative mind behind some ofPixar ’s best film , includingThe IncrediblesandRatatouille . WhileThe Incrediblesdemonstrates the influence of Hellenic espionage thrillers such as James Bond andMission : out of the question , most people would not have assumed this made Bird certified to direct aMission : Impossiblemovie himself .

Bird was surprisingly named the managing director ofMission : Impossible - Ghost Protocol , which came to be considered as one of the bestMission : Impossiblemovies . This was Bird ’s live - action debut , for which he supervise some of Tom Cruise ’s most insane stunts that would become characteristic of the franchise . The only other live - action motion picture Bird has direct since isTomorrowland , but it would be interesting to see what else he could do with blockbusters of this genre .

Headshot Of Ian McKellen In The USA Rights Only

Animation and live - natural action flick require two unlike set of skill from filmmakers , so there are n’t many directors who can master both .

5Alfonso Cuarón For Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2004)

Director of mature Spanish-language dramas takes over family blockbuster franchise still establishing itself.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban : In Harry ’s third year at Hogwarts , he faces more complex magic challenges and encounter fear - induce Dementors . The escape of the notorious wizard Sirius Black from Azkaban stamp a apparition over the schoolhouse year , introduce young threats and enigma for Harry and his friends to unravel .

At the time ofHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’sproduction , Alfonso Cuarón ’s most late moving-picture show was the road - trip dramaAnd Your female parent Too . The humble - time director had spent his career so far flip-flop between Spanish and English - terminology motion-picture show , with his most well - known title at that pointedness likely beingA Little Princess . He was doubtlessly a strange alternative to inheritHarry Potterfrom the legendary Chris Columbus . However , Cuarón ’s take onHarry Potteris the most stylized movie of the enfranchisement that still stands out as a short - lived highlight decennium later .

Prisoner of Azkabanfeatures several of Cuarón ’s touch long takes and a repeat clock motif that emphasizes the Quran ’s report of prison term run out for the main fiber . Cuarón is credited with multiple additions to theHarry Pottermovies that give the man texture , including the Hogwarts student choir and the more passing version of the school uniform . This movie prove that Cuarón ’s aptitude for tense , eloquent storytelling translated well into phantasy and sci - fi , possibly leading to picture show likeGravityandChildren of Men — however , he is still known for several piece - of - life drama .

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4Martin Scorsese For Hugo (2011)

Legendary American crime director leads a family-friendly book adaptation set in France.

Based on The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick , Hugo follows the titular persona , a new boy living alone in a string station in Paris . While function to restore an golem found by his previous founder , Hugo becomes involved in a secret circumvent the automaton and filmmaker Georges Méliès . Asa Butterfield stars as Hugo , with Chloë Grace Moretz , Ben Kingsley , Sacha Baron Cohen , and Jude Law as part of the main hurl .

Martin Scorsese was well found as one of the penultimate directors of a coevals by the 2010s for his lengthy criminal offence epos that constitute a cynical compendium of American account . He is a director that few people would depend against — but his pickings on the flick version of Brian Selznick’sThe Invention of Hugo Cabret was still startling . Hugo’stone is more capricious and family - favorable than anything else Scorsese has done , and a stark departure from his common jaunt into American chronicle , substituted with the Parisian setting and chronicle of Gallic cinema .

No fans of Hugo Cabret need have worried , as Scorsese produced a visually sensational movie that conveyed a exchangeable grandiose feel , despite the drastically different story . Hugodid not break Scorsese ’s streak at the Oscars , securing a Best Picture nominee . After this precipitous genre alteration , Scorsese returned to his criminal offence dramas withThe Wolf of Wall Street , The Irishman , andKillers of the Flower Moon .

Headshot Of Viggo Mortensen

3Wes Anderson For Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Indie film star directs an adaptation of a famous Roald Dahl book.

Based on the Roald Dahl shaver ’s Holy Writ , Fantastic Mr. Fox tell the tale of the titular fox , his theft fling , and the three farmers who seek retaliation on him for the thefts .

TheFantastic Mr. Foxmovie is characterized by element of absurdity and stochasticity that are n’t present in the book , create it a nigh - flawless adaptation that stands out in its own right . While Anderson would go on to direct picture likeMoonrise KingdomandThe French Dispatch , Hollywood realized the chord they had struck with the director ’s aptitude for animation . Anderson ’s filmography now also notably includes the Oscar - nominatedIsle of Dogs .

2Sam Mendes For Skyfall (2012)

American Beauty Oscar-winning director takes over James Bond.

Skyfall is the twenty - third James Bond film , feature Daniel Craig as 007 . Released in 2012 , the film pursue Bond as he investigate an attack on MI6 , guided by M , portrayed by Judi Dench , while contending with internal atmospheric pressure and a novel authority figure , Gareth Mallory , toy by Ralph Fiennes .

Sam Mendes was also already a extremely acclaimed director when he got the foremost task forSkyfall . He won the Oscar for Best Director for the Best Picture - winningAmerican Beauty ; a decade after this , he made a strong return with another Oscar contender , Revolutionary Road . Despite relatively few major projects in a long period , Mendes was a dependable director — for small - scale personal dramas , leaving citizenry surprised when he was tapped for the next James Bond movie .

This was mate with Mendes being responsible for the follow - up toQuantum of Solace , one of the worst - reviewed titles of the Daniel Craig earned run average . Not unlike Peter Jackson , Mendes as luck would have it turned out to be capable of handling a bigger product , with a well centre for activeness and effect , using his previous experience with thematically complicated movies to elevateSkyfall’sstory . Skyfallis one of the best Craig Bond movies , while Mendes has been hired for other braggart - budget pictures , such as1917 .

Headshot Of Jennifer Lawrence In The 35th Annual GLAAD Media Awards

The second entry into the Hunger Games film franchise and based on Suzanne Collins' book of the same name, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire picks up shortly after the events of the first film. Returning home to District 12 after their victory at the 74th Annual Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) begin to sense an imminent rebellion against the oppressive Capitol.

Star Wars is always looking to branch out with its directors for the franchise ’s upcoming film . These directors are the upright overall choices .

1Greta Gerwig For Barbie (2023)

Famous director of dramas about womanhood became the name associated with Barbie.

Barbie is a film adjustment of the generational iconic miniature directed by Greta Gerwig , who co - wrote the script with Noah Baumbach . The plastic film centers on Margot Robbie ’s Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken ( Ryan Gosling ) to the real earth in search of felicity . The film also stars Simu Liu , Will Ferrell , and several other noted celebrity in cameo roles .

TheBarbiemovie was in ontogenesis for some time before Warner Bros. acquired the rights to it , and they shoot down the grow directorial star Greta Gerwig . Gerwig broke into Hollywood starring in her married person Noah Baumbach’sFrances Haand established herself as a manager with the Oscar - nominatedLady Bird . Her taking on the newLittle Womenmovie was not too far a leap from her preceding forward-looking dramaand proved to be equally successful .

However , Gerwig then made the startling passage to the surrealistBarbiemoviethat was chiefly legitimatise in the eyes of prospective interview by Gerwig ’s involvement . Barbie could have been a bogged - down information processing pic , but multitude were sure it would disrupt the industriousness and Gerwig ’s career because of the film director ’s repute for compelling stories about fair sex . Its winner represents one of the biggest payoffs in late motion-picture show history . It has also changed the direction of Gerwig ’s calling , who is now taking on another illusion project withNetflix’sChronicles of Narniareboot .

Headshot Of Josh Hutcherson

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Headshot Of Gary Oldman In The 77th Cannes Film Festival

A decade after a deadly virus decimates humanity, a burgeoning society of intelligent apes, led by Caesar, finds its peaceful existence threatened by a group of human survivors who stumble upon their sanctuary. As both sides grapple with fear and mistrust, Caesar works to broker peace despite growing hostilities. The tension escalates, leading to a dramatic clash that will determine the future of both species.

headshot Of Keri Russell

Headshot Of Andy Serkis In The National Theatre ‘Up Next’ Gala

Headshot Of Jason Clarke

Headshot Of William Moseley

Four siblings travel through a wardrobe to the magical land of Narnia, which they are destined to save from the evil White Witch.

Cast Placeholder Image

Headshot Of Georgie Henley

Headshot Of Tom Cruise In The UK premiere of ‘Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning’ Part One

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol follows Ethan Hunt and his team as they are disavowed after being falsely accused of bombing the Kremlin. In a race against time, they pursue a terrorist named Hendricks, who threatens global security with stolen Russian nuclear launch codes, leading them on a global chase.

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Headshot Of Simon Pegg

Headshot Of Jeremy Renner In The World premiere event for Disney+ original series ‘Rennervations’

Headshot of Daniel Radcliffe In The London screening of ‘The Lost City’

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: In Harry’s third year at Hogwarts, he faces more complex magical challenges and encounters fear-inducing Dementors. The escape of the notorious wizard Sirius Black from Azkaban casts a shadow over the school year, presenting new threats and mysteries for Harry and his friends to unravel.

Headshot Of Emma Watson In The Kering Foundation Caring For Women Dinner

Headshot Of Rupert Grint

Headshot Of Richard Griffiths In The Premiere Of Harry Potter

Headshot Of Sacha Baron Cohen

Based on The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, Hugo follows the titular character, a young boy living alone in a train station in Paris. While working to restore an automaton found by his late father, Hugo becomes involved in a mystery surrounding the automaton and filmmaker Georges Méliès. Asa Butterfield stars as Hugo, with Chloë Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Jude Law as part of the main cast.

Headshot Of Jude Law

Headshot Of Ben Kingsley In The 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Headshot Of Ray Winstone In The London premiere of Netflix series ‘The Gentlemen’

Headshot Of George Clooney

Based on the Roald Dahl children’s book, Fantastic Mr. Fox tells the story of the titular fox, his thieving spree, and the three farmers who seek revenge on him for the thefts.

77th Cannes Film Festival - Opening Ceremony Official Gala DinnerHeadshot Of Meryl Streep In The

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Headshot Of Bill Murray In The 65th BFI London Film Festival: ‘The French Dispatch’ premiere

Headshot Of Daniel Craig

Skyfall is the twenty-third James Bond film, featuring Daniel Craig as 007. Released in 2012, the film follows Bond as he investigates an attack on MI6, guided by M, portrayed by Judi Dench, while contending with internal pressures and a new authority figure, Gareth Mallory, played by Ralph Fiennes.

Headshot Of Judi Dench

Headshot Of Javier Bardem In The Madrid premiere of ‘The Little Mermaid’

Headshot Of Ralph Fiennes

Headshot Of Margot Robbie In The 10th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

Barbie is a film adaptation of the generational iconic toy directed by Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach. The film centers on Margot Robbie’s Barbie who is expelled from Barbieland and travels with Ken (Ryan Gosling) to the real world in search of happiness. The film also stars Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, and several other famous celebrities in cameo roles.

Headshot Of Ryan Gosling In The Paris premiere of ‘The Fall Guy’

Headshot of Simu Liu In The Los Angeles premiere of ‘Atlas’ at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood

Headshot Of Ariana Greenblatt In The 2024 CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards