According to Deadline, Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky has stepped away from directing the Wolverine movie sequel for 20th Century Fox. It’s no secret that Aronofsky came to the Wolverine project because of his respect of/like for Hugh Jackman – the two have been a great duo for years.
Sadly, this isn’t over creative differences, a falling out with Jackman, or the fact that Aronofsky was just nominated for an Oscar and thought this movie was beneath him. It’s a personal reason – he’s getting a divorce, and can’t be out of the country for a long period of time during the proceedings as there are children involved.
From 20th Century Fox
Stated Aronofsky: “As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of ‘The Wolverine’ would keep me out of the country for almost a year. I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time. I am sad that I won’t be able to see the project through, as it is a terrific script and I was very much looking forward to working with my friend, Hugh Jackman, again.”
Stated Twentieth Century Fox: “While we are of course disappointed that Darren can’t do ‘The Wolverine’, we also understand and respect his reasons. Having done both ‘The Wrestler’ and ‘Black Swan’ with Darren, we know he is an extraordinary talent and we look forward to working with him on other projects in the future. Hugh Jackman and Fox both remain fully committed to making ‘The Wolverine’. We will regroup and move forward aggressively.”
That’s a shame, really. I think many fans were actually looking forward to the two collaborating again and making the sequel much better than the original.
6 Comments
I can’t say I know or care who this guy is but for some reason I feel relieved. I think that’s because now they have the opportunity to attach someone I know and care about.
He was probably the best director the film ever could have had.
He directed ‘Pi’, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain & Black Swan. He’s been nominated for 8 Academy Awards.
I think that’s more important than you personally having heard of him.
Yeah, but Pi and The Fountain were kinda pseudointellectual crap. Requiem was good, haven’t seen Black Swan.
Aronofsky is a touch too art house for Marvel superheroes, imo.
Both Pi and the Fountain were beautiful. If the screenplay to Wolverine is strong, Aronofsky could only have helped it to achieve a cohesive aesthetic.
You know – like the first movie didn’t.
Gotta respect the man for having his priorities straight though. We love our superheroes, but they’re just fictional characters. The man’s putting his family first, and we can’t fault that. It is a shame though, I for one am a little tired of superhero movies with zero depth, I’d take an “arthouse” director’s approach over the regurgitated formula that a lot of action films follow.