Zack Snyder has become one of the polarizing directors of the 21st century. He started off as the visually gifted creator of films like 300 (2007) and Watchmen (2009), before pivoting to DC Studios and becoming the architect of a decade of Superman and Batman stories.
Snyder has his critics and his detractors, but everybody can agree that he has a distinct mode of storytelling. Snyder likes to play in the sandbox of superheroes and science fiction. He's made a couple of zombie movies, a ton of comic book movies, and even given fans his taken on Star Wars with Rebel Moon. Now, however, Snyder is going to try something different: a straightforward thriller.
Snyder will reteam with Netflix for an action thriller
That's right. Zack Snyder is going to direct an action film set amidst the world of Los Angeles Police Department. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that the DC mastermind will be partnering back up with Netflix (the studio who released Rebel Moon) to direct a grounded genre film set in the present day.
There's been no title announced, but Snyder will produce the film alongside his wife Deborah and Wesley Coller. The outlet reports that the film will revolve around an elite LAPD unit who regularly finds themselves in life or death situations.
It will be Zack Snyder's most grounded film yet
It will be fascinating to see how Snyder navigates action scenes without relying on characters with superhuman strength or a supernatural component to the story. Snyder was originally going to make his directorial debut with an action drama, S.W.A.T. (2003), but he later revealed that he lost out on the job when he pushed to make the PG-13 blockbuster into a grittier, R-rated romp.
Snyder has spoken at length about the impact of thrillers on his style, particularly the Brian de Palma film Body Double (1984) and the Paul Verhoeven film Robocop (1987), so we are looking forward to seeing him explore a different, untapped side of his directorial skillset.