This week marks the release of one of my most anticipated movies of the year, Blade Runner 2049. This film is arguably the big break for one of my favourite directors, Denis Villeneuve. Villeneuve has had a lot of impressive films leading up to this, but this is his first huge commercial movie. With that in mind, I thought this week would be a great time to talk about lesser known directors that are sure to be household names in the near future. Just as a heads up, I'll be talking about a lot of writer/directors and actor/directors, but this list will be focussing on just the directing side of things.
This list is going to have a few honourable mentions, because there is a lot of talent out there I think people need to keep their eyes on.
Dan Gilroy- Past Work: Nightcrawler Future Work: Untitled Dan Gilroy Project
Dan Gilroy's directorial debut Nightcrawler is one of my favourite movies of all time. He is one of many writers turned directors that I'm going to talk about and if he had more projects on the table he would've likely made my list. But I'm still eagerly awaiting his next film so he gets an honourable mention.
Dan Trachtenberg- Past Work: 10 Cloverfield Lane Future Work: N/A
Dan Trachtenberg is another example of a writer turned director with a debut film I love. 10 Cloverfield Lane was one of my favourite films from last year so I'm very interested in what Trachtenberg has coming up next. He unfortunately has nothing in production so he takes an honourable mention on this list.
Joel Edgerton- Past Work: The Gift Future Work: Boy Erased
Joel Edgerton is a fantastic actor and proved to be more than capable behind the camera with The Gift. His next film is set to come out in September next year and I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Jennifer Kent- Past Work: The Babadook Future Work: The Nightingale
While I haven't heard anything about her next project, I think Kent proved that she can put together a very impressive horror film in The Babadook. Being one of few successful female horror directors I'm very excited to see where her career goes next.
#9- Barry Jenkins
Past Work: Moonlight
Future Work: If Beale Street Could Talk
Jenkins is coming off a win for both best adapted screenplay and best picture. While Damien Chazelle narrowly took the best director award from him, there's no doubt Jenkins has a lot of talent behind the camera. I haven't heard much about his upcoming film but if it's even half as good as Moonlight, we are in for a huge treat.
#8- Duncan Jones
Past Work: Moon, Source Code, Warcraft
Future Work: Mute
Much like with Jenkins, I know little to nothing about Jones' next project. That being said, his track record is what has him on this list. Moon and Source Code are both insanely clever and well done, and while he faltered with his first big blockbuster, Warcraft, I think his first two films show how great of a filmmaker he is. Hopefully his next film can capture the magic of Moon and Source Code.
#7- Jordan Peele
Past Work: Get Out
Future Work: N/A
Jordan Peele doesn't have any directorial efforts slated as of right now, but he still makes this list due to his debut. Get Out is arguably the best horror film of the decade, and it was the first movie Peele has ever directed. He ditched his comedic roots and surprised everyone with this masterpiece and it has me now eagerly awaiting his next work. I can't put him too high on the list since he has no films slated but he is definitely a director to keep your eye on.
#6- Taylor Sheridan
Past Work: Wind River
Future Work: N/A
Writer/director Taylor Sheridan made his name known in the writing world with his brilliant films Sicario, and Hell or High Water. This year he took the director's chair as well, with Wind River. Wind River showed that he has the chops to be a director as well as writer, and I can't wait to see his next project. Much like Peele, he has nothing slated as of right now, but his writing career and the success of his debut have me eagerly awaiting whatever comes next.
#5- Taika Waititi
Past Work: What we do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Future Work: Thor: Ragnarok
Taika Waititi is really weird, in all the right ways. While he hasn't hit the mainstream yet, his films have been large critical successes. What we do in the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary about the life of modern day vampires, and The Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a bizarre comedy of an old man and young boy that get lost in the woods. From what I've seen so far, his unique style of comedy looks to make Thor: Ragnarok one of the most original feeling MCU films so far. Whatever he does afterwards I'll be lined up to see.
#4- Alex Garland
Past Work: Ex Machina
Future Work: Annihilation
Ex Machina was a fantastic directorial debut from writer Alex Garland. I think if his next films can come close to matching the critical success of Ex Machina we may see Garland becoming a household name. The trailer for his next film, Annihilation, was released a week or two ago and looks visually stunning. If the story and performances can match the visuals I think we may see something special with his sophomore effort.
#3- J.A. Bayona
Past Work: The Orphanage, The Impossible, A Monster Calls
Future Work: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Anyone that directs a Jurassic Park movie is going to be on my radar, but I'd say J.A. Bayona already should be. I haven't gotten a chance to see his earlier films, but I saw A Monster Calls, and it is a beautiful film. The way he took the visual style of the book and put it on film was astonishing to watch and he tugged heart strings incredibly hard. I have nothing but faith in him taking on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and I can't wait to see his career grow.
#2- Martin McDonagh
Past Work: In Bruges, Seven Psycopaths
Future Work: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri
The second I saw who was directing Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri I was instantly excited. I have now been getting more and more excited as the weeks have gone by. In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths are both incredible films and from the buzz I've heard, Three Billboards may be his best film yet. McDonagh has already proven himself and I hope this film puts him on the map for more casual movie fans.
#1- Ryan Coogler
Past Work: Fruitvale Station, Creed
Future Work: Black Panther, Wrong Answer
I didn't have much interest in Creed, then I saw it and was blown away. I didn't know how I'd feel about Fruitvale Station, then I saw it and was blown away. Now Ryan Coogler will be the first African-American director in the MCU, and from everything I've seen so far he'll be the perfect person for Black Panther. I truly hope that after this film we see Coogler become a more mainstream director, because he is absolutely fantastic. He put an American tragedy on screen in a compelling way, reinvigorated the tired Rocky franchise, and is now putting one of the most intriguing Marvel characters on the big screen.
Did I miss any directors you think people should keep your eye on? If so, let me know in the comments, and have a great Tuesday.
Written by Matt McKenzie
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