Dredd (2012)

Although Ex Machina is Alex Garland's first officially credited film for his directorial debut, it has long been speculated that it was in fact Garland who took over for Pete Travis in the 2012 comic book adaptation Dredd. Garland had originally served as the screenwriter for this film, but took over behind the scenes, crafting a more accurate adaptation of the comic book character compared to the 1995 Sylvester Stallone vehicle. Starring Karl Urban as the titular Judge Dredd, the film is a feast for the eyes, boasting some of the most visually pleasing action of the decade while offering a tight and simple narrative. Despite performing poorly at the box office, the film has a strong fan following that continues to hope for a sequel, whether it be as a film or TV series for a streaming platform.