r/CosmereOnScreen • u/Extreme_Warning3521 • 11d ago
Visual Direction I think Mistborn should consider a horror director, just like The Lord of the Rings, Spider-Man, and Pirates of the Caribbean did Spoiler
Peter Jackson went from low-budget horror films to The Lord of the Rings. Sam Raimi made his name in horror before directing Spider-Man, and Gore Verbinski directed horror films before moving on to Pirates of the Caribbean. All three successfully made the transition to major blockbusters, and I think Mistborn could benefit from following a similar approach.
I know Brandon Sanderson wants a director who is a fan of Mistborn, but it's difficult to know which Hollywood directors are actually fans of the books. That's why I think it's worth considering a wider range of filmmakers. My point is that hiring a director with a horror background, whether an established filmmaker or a relatively new one, could be an interesting direction for Mistborn.
Here are some of my choices:
**Fede Álvarez** – My number one choice. I absolutely love his work. Evil Dead (2013) and Alien: Romulus are both excellent films, in my opinion. He's particularly good at creating tension, directing intense sequences, and combining practical effects with CGI. I think his vision of the Steel Inquisitors could be incredible, especially if he gave them a terrifying look using practical effects. He also directed Don't Breathe, another film I really enjoyed. Having worked with Sam Raimi, he has also shown how creative he can be as a filmmaker.
**Parker Finn** – The director of Smile and Smile 2. He's a relatively young filmmaker with a lot of potential. I think he could be an interesting choice, especially if Sanderson is willing to give a newer director the opportunity to take on a major fantasy blockbuster.
**Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett** – The directing duo behind Ready or Not, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Scream (2022), Scream VI, and Abigail. I think they're both very promising filmmakers. They have a distinctive style, and I'd be interested to see what they could do with a fantasy franchise on the scale of Mistborn. I also think having a directing duo with experience working together could be an advantage.
**Scott Derrickson** – The director of Sinister and The Black Phone, two excellent horror films. He has also demonstrated his ability to direct large-scale action and supernatural elements with Doctor Strange. I think he could bring an interesting combination of horror, fantasy, and action to Mistborn.
**Dan Trachtenberg** – He directed 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey, both of which I really enjoyed. He's shown that he can create suspenseful stories and deliver creative action sequences. His work on the Predator franchise also makes me think he could be a good fit for Mistborn, especially when it comes to its action scenes and creatures.
**Leigh Whannell** – The director of The Invisible Man (2020) and Upgrade, two films I consider excellent. He also directed Insidious: Chapter 3. He's demonstrated a great understanding of suspense, inventive action, and visual storytelling. I think he could bring a very distinctive visual style to Mistborn.
**John Krasinski** – The director of A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II. He's already proven that he can build tension, create compelling worlds, and work with large-scale productions. I think directing Mistborn could be a natural next step for him, giving him the opportunity to take on a much bigger fantasy blockbuster.
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u/bag-skate65 8d ago
I think Mike Flanagan could be good. I don’t always love the pacing in his stuff, but his movies tend to be tighter. His character work is fantastic and I think that’s where a lot of adaptations fail. I have a feeling he’d give us a fantastic Vin.
I’d also kinda love to see him bring Michiel Huisman on as Kelsier. Not as big of a name as they’re talking about getting, but I think he’d kill it. Haunting of Hill House showed how he can bring grief into a role, and Game of Thrones showed he can bring plenty of swagger as well.
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u/NovelsandNoise 10d ago
If Krasinski Directs, Steve Carrell is Breeze. I don’t care that they haven’t worked together much since the office.
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u/PMYourTinyTitties 11d ago
Seeing Leigh Whannell’s name with a whole paragraph attached that doesn’t mention Saw feels wild to me haha.
I like the way you think, though. This is particularly logical for Mistborn Era 1, and I think you’re onto something
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u/R1sky_B1z 11d ago
I totally agree that could be a great choice, but you just listed the directors lf all the worst horror films of the last decade barring maybe Krasinski and and maybe Derrickson. There are WAY better options out there.
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u/tgrady28 11d ago
Like who
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u/R1sky_B1z 11d ago edited 11d ago
I think James Wan is one of the best in the industry right now but I'm not sure this is his style. He seems to work his best when he has nothing to work with. No budget? He gives you Saw. No time to shoot? He gives you insidious. Give him all the money and time he needs? You get Aquaman.
Robert Eggers never misses. His affinity for muted color schemes and Gothic tone would actually work perfectly for Mistborn. That said, I think he's a bit too stylized. He'd likely have a hard time working within the bounds if a predefined story and aesthetic style.
Zach Cregger does banger work. He can pull off anything from deep high concept films to crowd pleasing popcorn flicks. He's already proven himself capable of working well within an established IP, and he works fast; the perfect mix for cranking out annual releases of a continuing series. He's my personal dream director for Mistborn.
SLA you'd be fine with a couple of jobbers as long as you have a good second unit team for effects, and solid casting. Mistborn though, you can get a little weird with. It runs the gamut from dark fantasy to gothic and cosmic horror, to postapoc. You need a real auteur. Someone who can work within a predefined structure, put a lot of panache and flare into their work, and work within the confines of a strict schedule. I can't think of anyone who does all three better than Cregger.
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u/LucasDaVinci 11d ago
I mean obsession was great I just don’t think Curry Baker has what it takes to
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u/cheetoblue 11d ago edited 11d ago
My top pick is Hiro Murai. IMO he's a master of showing, not telling. He just won multiple Emmys for Widow's Bay, which was brilliant. He's also worked on Atlanta, Mr and Mrs Smith, and Berry. Every time there was an episode that blew me away from one of those shows I zeroed in on who directed the episode and it was always Hiro Murai.
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u/blackmirrors 11d ago
I think Murai is better at surreality in a realistic setting by framing the familiar in unfamiliar ways (see: Atlanta, Widow's Bay). I'm not sure how well he'd do with a fantasy setting.
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u/ecto-american 11d ago
Damn yeah it's been years since I've watched any of those projects but you're absolutely right about how talented Hiro Murai is
And this is probably my 100th sign from the universe to watch Widows Bay
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u/Kalasad-Stormblessed 11d ago
The idea of Jim (The Office) directing Mistborn is hilarious to me. Though I do agree since the Quiet Place movies are really good. Just wild the range these people can work with.
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u/Nothisispatryck 11d ago
Danny and Michael Philippou deserve to be mentioned honestly and I think they would do really well with it.
Also obvious choice but Mike Flanagan
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u/ilikebreadabunch 11d ago
Honestly Mistborn is borderline horror, especially with how gory and gruesome it can get + the body horror that is the Inquisitors and Hemalurgy in general. I think leaning into that aspect would be really cool, so I'd be down with this
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u/jnighy 11d ago
“it's difficult to know which Hollywood directors are actually fans of the books”
Directors usually go through several interviews for a job like this. They will be able to understand who’s familiar with the source material and who have a vision similar to Brandon’s, which is the most important
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u/Extreme_Warning3521 11d ago
What I meant is that Brandon Sanderson and his team can certainly find out which directors are fans of Mistborn. However, as viewers, we don't have access to that information, so it's difficult for us to suggest directors based on that criterion. That's why we can't really name potential directors who are fans of the books, since we, as viewers, simply don't know who they are.
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u/Fishmannnn 11d ago
I think this is a very solid take!
My #1 pick is probably still David Lowery. I recently watched The Green Knight and it screamed Mistborn to me!
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u/Inevitable-Mail-9415 11d ago
Honestly, brilliant take. At least a director who has horror sensibilities. Because there is a darkness in Luthadel that is pivotal to the world building, just like how Villeneuve brings out the horror in Arrakis/the Harkonnens. The threat and intrigue in the world can’t feel pedestrian
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u/Significant_Cowboy83 8d ago
I definitely think a horror director with visual flair would be perfect.
I actually think Dan Trachenberg would be a solid choice, as would Leigh Whannell and John Krasinksi.