Marvel Studios has often hired acclaimed filmmakers to direct their superhero flicks in order to get an out-of-the-box perspective and grand vision for their movies. Therefore, once upon a time, Marvel eyed Guillermo del Toro to direct the 2011 standalone movie Thor.
But unfortunately, Guillermo del Toro had other plans surrounding a Lord of the Rings movie. To be specific, the director had a tunnel vision for The Hobbit, for which he turned down the opportunity to direct Thor. However, eventually, del Toro couldn’t actually move forward with The Hobbit either, as it later went to Peter Jackson.
Marvel Studios Wanted To Swoop in And Secure Guillermo del Toro
Marvel Studios has often hired incredible filmmakers for their superhero movies to give it a captivating touch, and reach out to more audiences. Thus, when the first installment of Thor was in discussion, the Studios tried hiring Guillermo del Toro to direct the standalone movie.
Willing to set Thor in modern times, Marvel Studios had to go through some trouble since back then, the 2007-08 writers’ strike was in progress. Thus, giving the story a modern shape would have been difficult. Therefore, after the strike was over, Marvel commissioned a new outline from J. Micheal Straczynski, creator of Babylon 5.
According to MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, after Marvel Studios got hold of the new storyline for Thor, they tried to swoop in and secure Guillermo del Toro for the project. Considering his extensive filmography and incredible skills, the director’s work would have flattered Marvel. But, unfortunately, del Toro had other plans.
Guillermo del Toro Turned Down Marvel And Even Lost The Hobbit
As Marvel Studios approached Guillermo del Toro to direct the first installment of Thor, the director revealed his plans surrounding a Lord of the Rings movie. Apparently, del Toro dropped the opportunity offered by Marvel for The Hobbit. Having tunnel vision for the movie, the director turned down every other opportunity.
Guillermo del Toro was far more interested in taking The Hobbit projects produced by Peter Jackson. But in the end, the director lost out on both opportunities, since after refusing to be a part of Marvel Studios and direct Thor, he was informed about MGM Studios’ financial distress.
Apparently, the financial issue forced them to stop moving forward with The Hobbit movies. By that time, Guillermo del Toro had already rejected Marvel Studios as well. Thus, in the end, failing to engage with either of the projects and waiting for 2 years, the acclaimed filmmaker moved on. And later on, when production began on The Hobbit, Peter Jackson got the opportunity to direct the trilogy.
