Darren Aronofsky is suddenly a man very much in demand. Black Swan is picking up loads of buzz and he has been connected with everything from the Superman reboot to Preacher. We reported here on the rumours of him being offered hot Warner Bros property “Gangster Squad”, since first-choice Ben Affleck had passed and also on the potential conflict that might present given Aronofsky’s rumoured connection with the sequel to the underwhelming X-Men:Origins film, Wolverine.
It now appears as though that conflict may have been resolved. Deadline are reporting that Gangster Squad is going to fall from Aronofsky’s to do list as he is in the throes of signing a relatively lucrative deal for the Wolverine sequel. Given the impressive critical acclaim but modest box-office haul of Aronofsky’s output to date (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler) a deal offering $5m against 5% of the gross sounds like pretty good business all round. No massive up-front outlay for 20th Century Fox, motivation for Aronofsky to bring his A game and if he can bring in box office of, say, $400m, a $20m payday.
No final deal has been struck yet, but Christopher McQuarrie has written the script and no doubt Fox are hoping that Aronofsky’s transition from indie and festival darling to blockbuster director will be more Nolan/Singer and less Gavin Hood. What do you all think? Is Aronofsky a good idea, is the sequel itself a good idea? Let us know below.
