Darren Aronofsky’s Unmade Movies, From Robocop To Batman Year One

Darren Aronofsky is undoubtedly one of the most controversial filmmakers working today. While many of Aronofsky’s films have received critical acclaim, the extreme content he includes and his ability to tell dark stories about human morality have given his films a reputation as “hard to watch.” Aronofsky’s interest in religion and spirituality also split his audience in two; while movies like Fountain and Pi were praised for the way they dealt with existential questions, both Noah and mother! drew criticism for their mishandling of Christian imagery.

Amid a career of controversial films, Aronofsky’s latest project inspired perhaps his most outrageous press cycle yet. The whale is based on a play by the playwright Samuel D. Hunter, who adapted his own work for the film’s script. The story revolves around the life of Charlie (Brendan Fraser), a 600-pound gay English teacher who lives an isolated life in his flat. While Fraser’s performance has garnered rave reviews since the film’s debut at the Venice International Film Festival, the film itself has been accused of being fatphobic and emotionally manipulative.

Aronofsky’s audacity is certainly worthy of admiration, even if his films aren’t for everyone. Throughout his career, Aronofsky often toyed with potential projects that he ultimately didn’t realize. His history of unmade films is almost as interesting as his filmography itself.

RELATED: Darren Aronofsky’s Movies Ranked From Worst To Best

Ronin

Shortly after the release of his first film as a director, PiAronofsky was committed to directing an adaptation of Frank Millergraphic novel Ronin. Miller was attached to write the screenplay, for what would be the first major adaptation of one of his works for the big screen. However, production progress lagged due to the uncertainty surrounding comic book movies at the time. While Aronofsky eventually left the project to direct Requiem for a dream instead, it wouldn’t be the last time he flirted with a Miller adaptation.

Sector 7

Aronofsky has an inherent interest in the oblique sides of art, and many of his films may require multiple subsequent viewings to fully understand. This could explain why he started to take an interest in adaptation David Wiesnerthe picture book without words Sector 7 for Nickelodeon movies after packaging Requiem for a Dream. Although it would certainly have been interesting to see what (if anything) Aronofsky interpreted from Sector 7the film sat in development hell for years as Aronofsky once again turned his sights to a comic book movie.

Batman: Year One

Image via Warner Home Video

Following the critical and financial disaster of batman and robin, Warner Brothers was keen to reboot the franchise with a “dark and gritty” tone. Aronofsky seemed like a natural fit, and in 2000 he signed on to direct an adaptation of Miller’s origin story. Batman: Year One; once again, Miller was attached to write the screenplay. George ClooneyThe Batman days were over, and Aronofsky hoped to attract Joaquin Phoenix play Bruce Wayne. However, internal disagreements between the studio, Miller, and Aronofsky over the tone of the film (which Aronofsky envisioned to be even darker than Miller’s original work) stalled the production process. Warner Brothers was also considering a younger actor as Freddie Prinze Jr. like Batman, and future batman begins Star Christian Bale was also approached. However, the delays eventually inspired Warner Brothers to shelve the project and begin work on Wolfgang Petersonis an idea for Batman versus Superman.

Sway

Glitter book cover
Image Via Chicago Review Press

Theodore Roszakthe novel Sway has a lot in common with Aronofsky’s first film; the 1991 novel follows a young film scholar Jonathan Gates who becomes obsessed with the films of fictional B-movie director Max Castle. Gates’ obsession eventually draws him into a dark web of conspiracy and paranoia. Although Aronofsky was hired to direct an adaptation when he was at Regency Studios, he left the project when he moved to Universal.

black flies

Shannon Burkemedical novel Black files explores the emotionally overwhelming experience of a young ambulance technician in New York City. The film was expected to be a major award contender, with fight club scriptwriter Jim Uhls attached to write the script. However, Aronofsky again left the project, which is currently being developed by A prayer before dawn director Jean-Stephane Sauvaire.

Robotcop

You might not expect to hear Aronofsky’s name brought up at Comic-Con, but the 2008 San Diego celebration included an announcement from MGM that Aronofsky had been hired to direct a remake of Robotcop. As Aronofsky quit his job as director The fighter to support the new remake, the 2009 Comic Con included an announcement that he had to drop the project in order to focus on Black Swan.

break the bank

A biopic of the controversial MMA legend Lee Murray in break the bank looked like it would be down Aronofsky’s aisle, as Murray’s conflicts with the law had the potential to be a drama movie. However, Aronofsky’s production setbacks on Noah forced XYZ to replace it with The Raid: Redemption director Gareth Evans.

elf

Like many great filmmakers, Aronofsky first became interested in working on an HBO project after the “prestige TV” boom kicked off in the early 2010s. The gluttonAronofsky has signed on to direct the period thriller series elf for HBO. Aronofsky and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Charbon began work on a story that revolved around a group of magicians and tricksters who worked to defeat the rising Adolf Hitler during World War II. However, HBO decided to pass on the project, prompting Aronofsky to leave.

The glutton

Once again, Aronofsky was brought in to direct a soft reboot of a failing superhero series based on Miller’s work. Following the disaster X-Men Origins: Wolverine20th Century Fox has hired Aronofsky to work on a new Wolverine-centric film starring Hugh Jackman. The glutton became a priority for Fox, but Aronofsky felt that leaving the United States for a long, expensive shoot abroad would separate him from his family for too long. His departure from the project allowed James Mangold step in and take over The gluttonwhich led to the success of Logan.

Darren Aronofsky’s Unmade Movies, From Robocop To Batman Year One – GameSpot