True Detective Dream Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Much like Terry Gilliam, Guillermo Del Toro has never directed a film that would make him an obvious pick for True Detective. Part of the fun, however, is searching through the director’s catalog and searching for specific moments and influences. Del Toro has gone from Spanish art-house to mainstream Hollywood, with most of his work having a decidedly supernatural bent. Many rumors of season 2 have been shot-down so far, but one that is still seemingly floating around is that it will involve the secret occult history of the U.S. If that holds true, there might not be a better director than Del Toro.

With Del Toro’s rise to fame, many of his earlier accomplishments have been forgotten. It’s in those films that you’ll find your True Detective director — movies like The Devil’s Backbone and Cronos. Both of those films show a unique take on old themes; Backbone tackles the ghost story while Cronos takes on vampires. The way Del Toro can twist something into his own is a valuable trait, and one that True Detective might be able to make use of. If season 2 has even a hint of the occult, Del Toro could without a doubt do something outrageous with it.

When it comes to availability, it’s another in a long-line of long-shots. Del Toro is currently working on Crimson Peak, his own take on various Lovecraftean themes. Besides that, his own series The Strain is set to debut this summer on FX. Guillermo Del Toro  would be great for True Detective. Do you think he would be the right fit for season 2?