Devil's Advocate: The Case for David Yates
Fri, September 24, 2010 
Message boards and blogs are all a buzz over the news reported yesterday by TOLDJA! that the search for a "Superman" director was in full swing. The names on the "short list" all have strengths and weaknesses they could bring to the project. Personally Matt Reeves and Duncan Jones are solid choices in my book. They both share a flare for the fantastic as well as action. That being said, I want to play devil's advocate and talk about David Yates.
Yates, as you know, has occupied the director's chair for the Harry Potter series since "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". While many people may dismiss Yates as "by the numbers", it's important to understand that this may be a huge advantage. Yates has the experience of working with Warner Brothers for several films. All of which involve WB's biggest franchise. He has proven he can handle a large studio production laden with special effects and action. He's also shown that he can take an established character and translate what's on the page. The action and adventure in the potter books have, in my opinion, been transferred into live action quite well.
In the weeks to come we may be talking about Reeves or Snyder, but don't count out Yates. He's had the support of Warner Brothers for multiple films. A solid director with a resume that shows he can handle drama as well as the green screen. Most of all, he's a safe choice. He's a director that both WB and Nolan can control or collaborate with without the risk of tension. Yates track record with the Potter series may not be spotless, but it's solid ground. These are all aspects that I feel are very high on both WB and Nolan's list of requirements.
Now I understand that this entire article can be considered non-news. As far as I'm aware Yates hasn't been mentioned. But he's going to be available and he's a mainstay of WB's biggest current franchise. While I'm excited about the current list of directors, I keep coming back to Yates as the "logical" choice. Not my personal preference, but in a lot of ways he just makes sense to take over especially when Nolan and Goyer will undoubtedly be controlling much of the story.
The wild card here is Nolan. Warner Brothers usually telegraphs their decisions, but adding Nolan turns this into a toss up. I understand who Warner Brothers would want, but Nolan makes very careful and secretive choices. He also surrounds himself with a particular type of talent that I haven't seen from Yates. It really depends on who understands Nolan and Goyer's vision the most. Therefore, my money is on the short list or a new list all together. But hey, you never know.
Reader Comments (8)
Pass. Yates has shown time and time again that he has no understanding of the characters or source material which he adapts. I would hate to see him get his hands on Big Blue. Yates can make a profitable movie but neither a faithful or very good one. I could be wrong, but mark my words, the Harry Potter franchise will be frowned upon by future generations, in large part due to Yates' directing. They are filled with plot holes and poor character development. Yates phoned them in for a paycheck and to get out of TV directing, and that's hardly the guy I want running Superman.
The only benefit of Yates is that he will probably have no problem being a puppet to Chris Nolan, which is essentially what the new director will have to be.
I think you sum up my point in your final sentence. We have these wonderful directors being mentioned all with varying style yet I still feel like we could end up with basically a "yes man". I don't feel that Nolan would want this, but who knows what kind of control will be given to the director or even the producer. Yates or someone similar could be the compromise. I don't have a problem with Yates Potter movies though. Considering the content of the books the movies are more of a companion piece to the books. That's possibly their problem. They assume you have read the books and ask you to fill in gaps. That being said, considering the size of the material, I can see things getting lost or dropped.
I have hope though that we will get a solid director that can work with what he's given. But I'm mentally preparing myself to see a David Yates or another "yes man" take on this project. I hope Nolan brings creativity and talent to the project, but I'm still concerned it could be treated as a business deal rather than a film. Goyer hopefully has a handle on the character. The fact that he took a stab at the character makes me optimistic though. Goyer didn't take the cop out argument of Superman being too hard to write or the idea that he has no relevance today. For that alone, Goyer and Nolan have my respect and I'll respect whoever they choose. I just hope it's their choice and not a compromise.
My essential problem with this whole damn project is Nolan. Its a sign that Warners still has no fucking clue what they are doing. They are just throwing in the same team that gave them successful Batman movies without stopping to ask, "Are Chris Nolan and David Goyer really right for Superman?" At the end of the day, no matter how talented these men are, nothing in their extensive work histories has told me that they are right for Superman in the least. The way that they make films is fundamentally different than the way a Superman film should be. Just as Harold Ramis or Judd Apatow would be wrong to direct a remake of Child's Play or some other slasher movie, these men are wrong for Superman. I don't believe Nolan will be a hands off producer. I think whoever is hired will be his yes man. Therefore I just can't be all that optimistic about this project.
I like Yates as a director and think he could do a great job but I don't think he's a viable option as he'll be stuck in post production on Potter until atleast May, probably June, and therefore I can't see how he'd be able to make Superman for even late 2012.
Rob, I would hope not. Filming for Hallows Part II is finished with the exception of a few key scenes and both parts were filmed as one single project. Filming wrapped in July. Special Effects crews should be working on the second half right now. If Yates is still in post production around May or June, then there are serious issues with the project's schedule or they are taking the long way home.
Mac, yes they were filmed together and yes hypothetically they should be in the can well before then, but I can't imagine Yates and crew aren't going to take every moment they can to make the film as perfect as they can, especially as they have until July 17th to release it. I can't imagine they won't be working on until atleast April.
Rob, fair enough. I personally would hope they would be finished by then but who knows.
I agree with you in that Yates is a bit of a dark horse but also the better of the short list directors. Will he get it? No. The deciding factor is how well next week's 'Let Me In' does--because as much as I'd like Yates to get this project, let's not kid ourselves. It'll be Matt Reeves.