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Summary
TheMarvel Cinematic Universeis all set to restore two of its original six Avengers heroes to their former glory. A veteran director is in talks to take on a couple ofMCUprojects, one of which seems particularly likely and paves the way for this filmmaker’s entry into the franchise.
Marvel fan forums on the internet have been abuzz about the possibility of George Miller joining the blockbuster cinematic franchise. TheMad Maxcreatorneeds little to no introduction, and his expertise might be just what Marvel has been looking for to fix a long-running problem with two superheroes – Thor and Hulk.
George Miller To Join The MCU?
Director Options ForWorld War Hulk
George Miller joining the MCU has been a juicy prospect ever since he worked with Chris Hemsworth onFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga. But it wasn’t untila recent report fromWorld of Reelthat the possibility of this collaboration started gaining real momentum. According to the report, aProduction Weeklylisting mentionedWorld War Hulkshooting in 2025. There’s no official word on aWorld War Hulkmovie from Marvel yet. However, it seems like the film is imminent.
Kevin Feige has reportedly started considering options for directors. George Miller is a standout option among the list of potential filmmakers for this project. Apart fromWorld War Hulk, he is also expected to spearhead a potentialThor 5. In fact, the meeting between the 79-year-old Australian filmmaker and the Marvel Studios president was reportedly arranged by Chris Hemsworth.
The MCU’s Problem With Thor & Hulk
Love And ThunderLetdown
Thor and Hulk might be the strongest Avengers out there, but in reality, these are two heroes desperately in need of being saved by their studio. Chris Hemsworth’s last outing as the Asgardian god inThor: Love and Thunderwas nothing short of a disaster. While Taika Waititi deserves credit for giving Thor some much-needed humorous energy, the character has completely strayed from his original self. Thor doesn’t feel as threatening as before, and the treatment needs to change if he is to be taken seriously again.
The Smart Hulk Fiasco
The same applies to Hulk’s condition, if not worse. The character’s presence has been insignificant and completely mellowed down, contrary to his true rage-filled self.The Smart Hulk tropehasn’t been a particular fan favorite, to say the least. But the time seems right for both Thor and Hulk to revert to a more powerful, charged-up version of themselves—just in time forDoomsdayorSecret Wars.
How George Miller Can Fit Into Marvel
Exceptional Range Of Genres & Styles
As a filmmaker, George Miller’s range deserves to be studied in film schools. While he is synonymous with writing and directing all theMad Maxfilms, the veteran has also worked on arguably the other side of the spectrum withmovies likeHappy Feet,The Witches of Eastwick, andBabe: Pig in the City. So, an MCU project is right up Miller’s alley, and it’s a challenge he would ace with ease.
Mad Max: Fury Roadis arguably the best action-adventure film of the 21st century. If Miller brings this muscular filmmaking style to Marvel, the franchise could take a turn for the better. Currently, the director isn’t occupied sinceFuriosadidn’t yield big box office returns, which was crucial for anotherMad Maxproject to be greenlit. So, Miller’s potential collaboration with the MCU could even open up new possibilities for the dystopian road adventure franchise.
World War Hulk, Explained
The importance of theWorld War Hulkproject cannot be overstated.The Incredible Hulkstill remains the only solo Hulk film, which kicked off things for the MCU in 2008. It’s still a shock how someone as prominent as Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner hasn’t gotten his own film yet. The upcomingCaptain America: Brave New Worldis expected to open up thisWorld War Hulkstoryline. It could be followed up by theThunderbolts*movie, which could work as the connecting link for Mark Ruffalo’s first solo outing in the MCU.
In the comics,theWorld War Hulkstorylinefollows the tragic death of Hulk’s wife and how he goes on an all-out revenge against the Illuminati and Earth’s heroes. This seems like the perfect stepping stone to bring back a more charged, angry Hulk that fans have been craving for a long time. If this were the first solo film for Ruffalo’s Hulk in the MCU, and with someone like George Miller, who’s known for high-octane action, this could truly be every Hulk fan’s dream come true.
Thor 5Needs To Fix The Asgardian Hero
As forThor 5, there’s not much information regarding the direction it could be headed in. Regardless, Miller brought out a truly once-in-a-lifetime performance fromHemsworth inFuriosa. He could do what it takes to carefully revive Thor’s anger or seriousness without having to retcon past events. Moreover, Miller could even embrace the Marvel style, as he hasn’t been shy about his admiration for the superhero franchise. In a2019 interview withDeadline, he addressed Martin Scorsese’s criticism and offered a different take.
It’s a mistake and a kind of hubris if a film does well at the box office to dismiss it as clever marketing or something else. There’s more happening there, and it’s our obligation as storytellers to really try and understand it. To me, it’s all cinema.
Marvel Should Not Interfere With Miller’s Vision
However, the executives at Marvel Studios must learn from past examples and allow enough creative freedom for theMad Maxdirector. For example, Sam Raimi did not fully embrace his creative vision inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which could be due to constant supervision or notes from Marvel.
Another case they would not want to repeat is withChloé Zhao andThe Eternals. The Academy Award-winning filmmaker was fresh off ofNomadland’ssuccess but ended up making a dud that had little to no style or substance. Simply put, theMCUis better off leaving Miller to do what he does best if they have any hopes of bringing back Thor and Hulk the way fans have been dying for.
The Avengers
The Avengers is a group of comic book characters that consists of some of the world’s most iconic superheroes, such as The Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor.The Avengers have been a powerful force in Hollywood for over a decade now, both as a collective and individually. The group has also starred in video games, such as LEGO Marvel’s Avengers and Marvel’s Avengers by Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix.
