Oscar-winning directors don't do superhero movies

Falling into the “what might have been?” category, The LA Times has revealed that Tom Hooper was offered the chance to follow up his Academy Award-winning drama The King’s Speech by stepping into Jon Favreau’s shoes for Iron Man 3. Hooper ultimately declined the offer, paving the way for Robert Downey Jr. to reunite with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang helmer Shane Black for the 2013 sequel.

Hooper’s next feature looks likely to be an adaptation of the musical Les Miserables, although after his success last night you’d have to imagine he awoke to a few more opportunities this morning.

Meanwhile his decision to pass on Iron Man marks the second year running that the recipient of the Best Director Oscar has turned down a foray into the superhero genre; last year’s winner Kathryn Bigelow declined the opportunity to reboot Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, with Marc Webb then stepping on board and signing up Andrew Garfield for The Amazing Spider-Man.