Brad Pitt and David Leitch’s collaboration for Bullet Train was released on August 5, 2022, bringing together an actor and director that many wanted to see collaborate. There have been plenty of other actor-director combos that make perfect sense but haven’t taken place for some reason.
Redditors have been vocal about which pairs they would love to see and the reasons why they feel that way. These range from actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Frances McDormand to directors such as Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson. It’s interesting to check out why Redditors think such team-ups would be great and the list of credits that made these people such big names in the industry.
Charlie Day & Edgar Wright
Redditor DoctorSkeeterBatman believes that “Wright could do A LOT with Day's manic energy.” They are talking about the many Edgar Wright trademarks found in the director’s movies, which a comedian such as Charlie Day would be in a prime position to do justice.
Day has largely been in ensemble comedies in his career, but Edgar Wright’s aggressive approach toward the genre might just land Day the lead role. Edgar Wright has directed everything from pure comedy to action comedies and Day’s enthusiastic style would be perfect.
Jim Carrey & Ari Aster
There have been several great characters played by Jim Carrey over the years, but almost all of them are based around comedy. Redditor littleoctagon believes that “if anyone could bring out a haunting and depraved performance, it would be Ari.”
Ari Aster has made dark and twisted material like Hereditary and Midsommar, establishing himself as a layered horror filmmaker. Carrey would be in great hands to deliver a hit horror movie and extend his range to new lengths. The collaboration between the two would certainly pique interest among many.
Frances McDormand & Quentin Tarantino
Frances McDormand has a celebrated filmography working with big-time directors. Redditor bootlegvader wants McDormand to collaborate with Quentin Tarantino because she would be the “first actress/actor to have been in a Coen Brothers, Wes Anderson, and Tarantino film.”
There have been many great Quentin Tarantino movies with superb casts and Frances McDormand would be an acclaimed addition to the director’s collaborations. McDormand has previously won massive praise for films like Fargo with the Coen Brothers and The French Dispatch with Wes Anderson - a team-up with Tarantino could bring out a new side that her fans haven’t seen before.
Leonardo DiCaprio & Paul Thomas Anderson
Fans have enjoyed the films of Leonardo DiCaprio for years but not one has been directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Both talents have been active for decades, so it’s surprising a collaboration hasn’t occurred. Redditor nitrousconsumed hopes that “the stars align someday…they're both relatively young so there's definitely time.”
Paul Thomas Anderson has proved he can make any actor work in a different genre, best seen when he directed Adam Sandler in the drama Punch-Drunk Love. Leonardo DiCaprio seems to have done everything there is to do in the business but teaming with Paul Thomas Anderson would certainly be an original route to take.
Sam Rockwell & Wes Anderson
Sam Rockwell has made a career out of playing happy-go-lucky guys with a certain complexity about them, which is also prevalent in Wes Anderson’s movies. Redditor FamousProfessor415 thinks that their collaboration is “such an obvious pairing that I’m surprised it hasn’t happened.”
Rockwell is at his best when he’s in darkly comedic roles, while Anderson has directed such features as The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Darjeeling Limited. Rockwell would be a natural in a film that plays to his strengths so well and would be a shoo-in for another Oscar win.
Mahershala Ali & Denis Villeneuve
Denis Villeneuve has directed thought-provoking films like Arrival, as well as action thrillers along the lines of Blade Runner 2049. Redditor squeakyrhino thinks that Mahershala Ali would thrive under such a director, writing that they would be “on point! I hope this happens one day.”
The actor has won Oscars for contrasting performances in Moonlight and Green Book, while his dark turn in True Detective was also acclaimed. Villeneuve’s films focus on the nuances behind the characters and Ali is a great candidate to portray such a performance.
Denzel Washington & David Fincher
There’s basically no genre left that Denzel Washington hasn’t been a part of, but David Fincher’s films generally transcend genre norms. To this end, Redditor Thatoneasian9600 feels that a collaboration between the two “just sounds so promising on paper.”
Washington has played both despicable and tragic villains in films like Training Day and The Tragedy of Macbeth, while Fincher has directed dark thrillers such as Gone Girl and Seven. It’s remarkable how two haven’t worked together before, but viewers are certainly hoping for them to do so.
Daniel Craig & Christopher Nolan
Daniel Craig and Christopher Nolan are no strangers to the action genre, with Redditor KingMario05 claiming that “the two would kill it - and not just on 007.” Craig signed off as James Bond with No Time to Die, but Nolan’s direction can bring forward a new spin on the action genre for him.
Craig and Nolan don’t even need to venture into action territory since the director has been known to make thought-provoking thrillers as well where Craig could be put to good use. They also have a general style in their delivery that seems to be quite similar, so viewers should buy into their team-up quickly.
Adam Driver & Julia Ducournau
Redditor lionelprichardisback wants to see Adam Driver under this director because they would “love to see what Julia Ducournau could do with a major US star.” Ducournau has largely indulged in body horrors that require actors who can portray the required provocative material.
Adam Driver has done this in diverse films like BlacKkKlansman and House of Gucci. The actor has been up for any kind of acting challenge and Julia Ducournau can provide just that. The director has also not worked with American actors, so Driver as her first muse would be the perfect opportunity.
Emily Blunt & Luc Besson
Emily Blunt has usually been cast in lead roles and has excelled in films like Edge of Tomorrow and A Quiet Place. Redditor santichrist wants Blunt to be directed by Luc Besson because “she is badass and Luc Besson likes to make movies with empowered badass women.”
Besson was the director of female-led films like Lucy and Anna, which went on to receive acclaim for the lead actresses’ performances. Blunt would receive the same treatment, while her placement as the main protagonist should reel in fans from around the world.