Editing Darren Aronofsky (section)

==Career==
===Early work===
Aronofsky's debut feature, titled ''[[Pi (film)|Pi]]''—sometimes stylized as ''π''—was shot in October 1997. The film was financed in part from $100 donations from his friends and family.<ref name="darren1">{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/movies/features/24368/ |title=Pi in the Sky |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |author=Idov, Michael |date=November 19, 2006 |page=[https://nymag.com/movies/features/24368/index1.html 2] |access-date=December 19, 2010 |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021025501/http://nymag.com/movies/features/24368/ |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> In return, he promised to pay each back $150 if the film made money, and they would at least get screen credit if the film lost money.<ref name="darren2"/> Producing the film with an initial budget of $60,000, Aronofsky [[premiere]]d ''Pi'' at the 1998 [[Sundance Film Festival]], where he won the [[List of Sundance Film Festival award winners#1998|Best Director]] award. The film itself was nominated for a special Jury Award.<ref name="pi2">{{cite web| url = http://videoplace.myvideostore.com/content/askhollywood/interviews/darren_aronofsky/index.html?client=videoplace| title = The Ask Hollywood Interview: Part 1| publisher = Videoplace| access-date = December 19, 2010| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110714144711/http://videoplace.myvideostore.com/content/askhollywood/interviews/darren_aronofsky/index.html?client=videoplace| archive-date = July 14, 2011| df = mdy-all}}</ref> [[Artisan Entertainment]] bought distribution rights for $1 million.<ref name="darren2"/> The film was released to the public later that year to critical acclaim and it grossed a total of $3,221,152 at the box-office.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pi.htm | title=Pi | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=December 18, 2010 | archive-date=January 11, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111005623/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pi.htm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/pi | title=Pi | website=Metacritic | access-date=December 4, 2009 | archive-date=August 13, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100813073700/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/pi | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Pi'' was the first film to be made available for download on the [[Internet]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/70680763/SightSound-to-Netcast-Franchise-Pix|title=SightSound to Netcast Franchise Pix|website=Scribd|access-date=March 27, 2017|archive-date=March 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105154/https://www.scribd.com/doc/70680763/SightSound-to-Netcast-Franchise-Pix|url-status=live}}</ref>

Aronofsky followed his debut with ''[[Requiem for a Dream]]'', a film based on [[Hubert Selby Jr.]]'s [[Requiem for a Dream (novel)|novel of the same name]]. He was paid $50,000, and worked for three years with nearly the same production team as his previous film.<ref name = "nodream">{{cite web | url = https://www.indiewire.com/article/decade_darren_aronofsky_on_requiem_for_a_dream/ | title = Decade: Darren Aronofsky on 'Requiem For a Dream' | publisher = indieWIRE | author = Kaufman, Anthony | date = December 1, 2009 | access-date = December 19, 2010 | archive-date = December 15, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101215123420/http://www.indiewire.com/article/decade_darren_aronofsky_on_requiem_for_a_dream/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Following the financial breakout of ''Pi'', he was capable of hiring established actors, including [[Ellen Burstyn]] and [[Jared Leto]], and received a budget of $3,500,000 to produce the film.<ref name="nodream2">{{cite web| url = http://www.drunkenfist.com/movies/hollywood/requiem-for-a-dream.php| title = Requiem for a Dream| publisher = Drunkenfist| access-date = December 19, 2010| archive-date = December 22, 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101222074931/http://www.drunkenfist.com/movies/hollywood/requiem-for-a-dream.php| url-status = live}}</ref> Production of the film occurred over the period of one year, with the film being released in October 2000. The film went on to gross $7,390,108 worldwide.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=requiemforadream.htm| title=Requiem for a Dream| work=[[Box Office Mojo]]| access-date=December 18, 2010| archive-date=December 16, 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216055621/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=requiemforadream.htm| url-status=live}}</ref> Aronofsky received acclaim for his stylish direction, and was nominated for another Independent Spirit Award, this time for Best Director.<ref name="spirit">{{cite web | url = http://www.blackflix.com/articles/ind.spirit.2001.html | title = Articles: Independent Spirit Awards | publisher = Blackflix.com | author = Stevens, Jim | date = April 20, 2001 | access-date = March 24, 2010 | archive-date = October 27, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101027092938/http://blackflix.com/articles/ind.spirit.2001.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The film itself was nominated for five awards in total, winning two, for Best Actress and Cinematography.<ref name="spirit"/> [[Clint Mansell]]'s soundtrack for the film was also well-regarded, and since their first collaboration in 1996, Mansell has composed the music to every Aronofsky film (except for ''Mother!'', 2017 and ''The Whale'', 2022).<ref>{{cite news|last=Bray|first=Elisa|date=January 28, 2011|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/duo-darren-aronofsky-and-clint-mansell-score-on-pointes-2196210.html|title=Duo Darren Aronofsky and Clint Mansell score on pointes|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|access-date=January 31, 2011|archive-date=November 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110134833/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/duo-darren-aronofsky-and-clint-mansell-score-on-pointes-2196210.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Requiem for a Dream Clint Mansell| author = Phares, Heather| publisher = Allmusicguide.com| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/r499057| access-date = December 19, 2010| archive-date = December 3, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111203212051/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r499057| url-status = live}}</ref> Ellen Burstyn was nominated for numerous awards, including for an [[Academy Award for Best Actress]], and won the Independent Spirit Award.<ref name="spirit"/><ref>{{cite news |title = 2000 Academy Awards Winners and History |url = http://www.filmsite.org/aa00.html |access-date = December 19, 2010 |work = Filomsite.org |archive-date = September 5, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150905113109/http://www.filmsite.org/aa00.html |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=Ellen Burstyn – Awards| url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000995/awards| access-date=November 22, 2017| website=IMDb| archive-date=December 16, 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216114432/http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000995/awards| url-status=live}}</ref> Aronofsky was awarded the [[PRISM Award]] from the [[Robert Wood Johnson Foundation]] with the [[National Institute on Drug Abuse]] for the film's depiction of drug abuse.<ref>{{cite news | title = 2000 Nominations and Winners | url = http://eiconline.org/resources/mediacenter/pressreleases_pr.php?id=pr013101 | access-date = October 21, 2015 | archive-date = March 4, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103217/http://eiconline.org/resources/mediacenter/pressreleases_pr.php?id=pr013101 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

In May 2000, Aronofsky was briefly attached to make an adaptation of [[David Wiesner]]'s 1999 children's book ''[[Sector 7 (book)|Sector 7]]'' for [[Nickelodeon Movies]], the project remains unmade.<ref>{{cite news|author=Corona.bc.ca|title=Coming Attractions&nbsp;– Sector 7|url=http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/details/sector7.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010410070243/http://www.corona.bc.ca/films/details/sector7.html|archive-date=April 10, 2001|date = May 24, 2000|access-date = December 10, 2013}}</ref> In mid-2000, [[Warner Bros.]] hired Aronofsky to write and direct ''Batman: Year One'', which was to be the fifth film in the [[Batman]] franchise.<ref name=Dana>{{cite news|first = Dana|last = Harris|url = https://variety.com/2000/film/news/wb-sends-pi-guy-into-the-bat-cave-1117786714/|title = WB sends ''Pi'' guy into the Bat Cave|work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date = September 21, 2000|access-date = December 12, 2019|archive-date = December 12, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212213843/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/wb-sends-pi-guy-into-the-bat-cave-1117786714/|url-status = live}}</ref> Aronofsky, who collaborated with [[Frank Miller]] on an unproduced script for ''[[Ronin (DC Comics)|Ronin]]'', brought Miller in to co-write ''Year One'' with him, intending to [[reboot (fiction)|reboot]] the series.<ref>{{cite news|first = Brian|last = Linder|work = [[IGN]]|title = The Bat-Men Speak|url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/16/the-bat-men-speak|date = October 16, 2000|access-date = December 12, 2019|archive-date = December 12, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212213843/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/10/16/the-bat-men-speak|url-status = live}}</ref> "It's ''somewhat'' based on the comic book", Aronofsky later said. "Toss out everything you can imagine about Batman! Everything! We're starting completely anew", who intended to re-imagine the titular character in a darker, adult-oriented and grounded style, with his adaptation aiming for an R-rating.<ref>{{cite news|first = Brian|last = Linder|url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/aronofsky-talks-batman-year-oneagain|title = Aronofsky Talks ''Batman: Year One''&nbsp;... Again|work = [[IGN]]|date = December 6, 2000|access-date = October 17, 2008|archive-date = November 5, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121105053532/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/06/aronofsky-talks-batman-year-oneagain|url-status = live}}</ref> Regular Aronofsky collaborator [[Matthew Libatique]] was set as cinematographer,<ref>{{cite news|author = Andrew O. Thompson|url = https://variety.com/2000/film/news/matthew-libatique-1117788894/|title = Matthew Libatique|work = Variety|date = November 8, 2000|access-date = December 12, 2019|archive-date = December 12, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212213843/https://variety.com/2000/film/news/matthew-libatique-1117788894/|url-status = live}}</ref> and Aronofsky had also approached [[Christian Bale]] for the role of Batman. Bale was ultimately cast in the role for ''[[Batman Begins]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author = Adam Smith|title = The Original ''American Psycho''|work = [[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date= July 2005|pages = 74–80, 82, 84, 87}}</ref> After that project failed to develop, Aronofsky declined the opportunity to direct a film in the ''Batman'' franchise.<ref>{{cite news|first = Dana|last = Harris|url = https://variety.com/2002/film/news/wb-fewer-pix-more-punch-1117869140/|title = WB: fewer pix, more punch|work = Variety|date = June 30, 2002|access-date = December 12, 2019|archive-date = December 12, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212214200/https://variety.com/2002/film/news/wb-fewer-pix-more-punch-1117869140/|url-status = live}}</ref> In March 2001, he helped write the screenplay to the [[horror film]] ''[[Below (film)|Below]]'', which he also produced.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/below-2-1200545661/|title=Below Review|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=March 16, 2008|first=Todd|last=McCarthy|date=October 6, 2002|archive-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220313/https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/below-2-1200545661/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In April 2001, Aronofsky entered negotiations with [[Warner Bros.]] and [[Village Roadshow]] to direct a then-untitled science fiction film, with [[Brad Pitt]] in the lead role.<ref name="epic">{{cite news | last=Linder | first=Brian | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/05/aronofsky-pitt-team-for-sci-fi-epic | title=Aronofsky, Pitt Team for Sci-Fi Epic | work=[[IGN]] | date=April 5, 2001 | access-date=December 12, 2019 | archive-date=December 12, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212213848/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/05/aronofsky-pitt-team-for-sci-fi-epic | url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2001, actress [[Cate Blanchett]] entered talks to join the film,<ref>{{cite news | last=Linder | first=Brian | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/28/blanchett-joining-pitt-in-aronofskys-next | title=Blanchett Joining Pitt in Aronofsky's Next | work=[[IGN]] | date=June 7, 2001 | access-date=December 19, 2010 | archive-date=November 3, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103185551/http://www.ign.com/articles/2001/06/28/blanchett-joining-pitt-in-aronofskys-next | url-status=live }}</ref> which Aronofsky, wanting the title to remain secret, had given the [[working title]] of ''The Last Man''.<ref>{{cite news | last=Topel | first=Fred | url=http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04647134/crave_talks_to_darren_aronofsky.html | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195728/http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04647134/crave_talks_to_darren_aronofsky.html | archive-date=September 27, 2007| title= Crave talks to Darren Aronofsky | work=CraveOnline.com | date=November 7, 2006 |access-date = December 19, 2010}}</ref> Production was postponed to wait for a pregnant Blanchett to give birth to her child in December 2001. Production was ultimately set for late October 2002 in Queensland and Sydney.

By now officially titled ''[[The Fountain]]'', the film had a budget of $70 million, co-financed by Warner Bros. and [[New Regency]], which had filled the gap after Village Roadshow withdrew.<ref name=Fo>{{cite news | last=Linder | first=Brian | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/25/fountain-flows-at-warner-bros | title=Fountain Flows at Warner Bros. | work=[[IGN]] | date=July 25, 2002 | access-date=December 19, 2010 | archive-date=November 3, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103185732/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/07/25/fountain-flows-at-warner-bros | url-status=live }}</ref> Pitt left the project seven weeks before the first day of shooting, halting production.<ref name="outsider">{{cite news | last=Silberman | first=Steve | url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/outsider_pr.html | title=The Outsider | work=[[Wired News]] | date=November 1, 2006 | access-date=December 19, 2010 | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604235555/http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/outsider_pr.html | url-status=live }}</ref> In February 2004, Warner Bros. resurrected it on a $35 million budget with [[Hugh Jackman]] in the lead role.<ref>{{cite news | last= Linder | first= Brian | url= https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/28/the-fountain-flows-again | title= ''The Fountain'' Flows Again | work= [[IGN]] | date= February 7, 2004 | access-date= December 12, 2019 | archive-date= December 12, 2019 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191212223348/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/02/28/the-fountain-flows-again | url-status= live }}</ref> In August, actress [[Rachel Weisz]] filled the vacancy left by Blanchett.<ref>{{cite news | last=Linder | first=Brian | url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/536/536252p1.html | title=Weisz Wades Into ''Fountain'' | work=[[IGN]] | date=August 4, 2004 | access-date=December 19, 2010 | archive-date=May 22, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522141112/http://movies.ign.com/articles/536/536252p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''The Fountain'' was released on November 22, 2006, a day before the American [[Thanksgiving]] holiday; ultimately it grossed $15,978,422 in theaters worldwide.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=fountain.htm | title=The Fountain (2006) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 18, 2007 | archive-date=July 15, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715151452/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=fountain.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences and critics were divided in their responses to it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://moviemezzanine.com/the-darren-aronofsky-retrospective-fountain/|title=The Darren Aronofsky Retrospective: 'The Fountain' {{!}} Movie Mezzanine|website=moviemezzanine.com|date=January 27, 2013 |access-date=January 23, 2017|archive-date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112123751/http://moviemezzanine.com/the-darren-aronofsky-retrospective-fountain/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last=Ebert | first=Roger | author-link=Roger Ebert | url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/REVIEWS/709130305/1023 | title='The Fountain' spews forth lots of babble | work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date=September 14, 2007 | access-date=December 4, 2009 | archive-date=February 11, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211185832/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070913%2FREVIEWS%2F709130305%2F1023 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kenny">{{cite journal | last=Kenny | first=Glenn | url=http://www.premiere.com/Review/Movies/The-Fountain | title=The Fountain | journal=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]] | date=November 22, 2006 | access-date=December 4, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118033252/http://www.premiere.com/Review/Movies/The-Fountain | archive-date=November 18, 2010 | df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="mcfc">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/fountain | title=Fountain, The | website=Metacritic | access-date=December 4, 2009 | archive-date=June 28, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628185000/http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/fountain | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Breakthrough===
[[File:The Wrestler- Darren Aronofsky, Mickey Rourke, Evan Rachel Wood.webm|thumb|right|Aronofsky, [[Mickey Rourke]], and [[Evan Rachel Wood]] discussing ''[[The Wrestler (2008 film)|The Wrestler]]'']]
[[File:Black Swan press 2010.jpg|thumb|240px|right|Aronofsky with the cast and crew of ''Black Swan'']]
In 2007, Aronofsky hired writer [[Scott Silver]] to develop ''[[The Fighter]]'' with him.<ref>{{cite news | author1 = Michael Fleming | author2 = Pamela McClintock | url = https://variety.com/2007/digital/news/aronofsky-in-talks-to-direct-fighter-1117961870/ | title = Aronofsky in talks to direct 'Fighter' | date = March 26, 2007 | work = [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | access-date = December 12, 2019 | archive-date = December 12, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220317/https://variety.com/2007/digital/news/aronofsky-in-talks-to-direct-fighter-1117961870/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Aronofsky approached Bale to star in the film, but Aronofsky dropped out because of its similarities to ''[[The Wrestler (2008 film)|The Wrestler]]'' and to work on [[MGM]]'s ''[[RoboCop (2014 film)|RoboCop]]'' remake.{{clarify|reason=in 2007 Aranofsky hired writer Scott Silver for The Fighter, but then Aranofsky dropped out of the project because it was too similar to his upcoming film The Wrestler? How does that work?|date=November 2021}}<ref>Pedersen, Nicole. [https://collider.com/its-official-darren-aronofsky-will-build-a-better-robocop/ "It's Official! Darren Aronofsky Will Build A Better ROBOCOP"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320185412/http://collider.com/dvd/news/article.asp?aid=8608&tcid=3 |date=March 20, 2011 }}, Collider July 25, 2008</ref> In July 2010, Aronofsky had left the project due to uncertainty over the financially distressed studio's future.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/27/robocop-reboot-canned | title = Robocop Reboot Canned | access-date = December 12, 2019 | last = Butler | first = Tom | date = June 27, 2010 | publisher = IGN | archive-date = December 12, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220314/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/07/27/robocop-reboot-canned | url-status = live }}</ref> When asked about the film, he said, "I think I'm still attached. I don't know. I haven't heard from anyone in a while".<ref name="latimes-zeitchik">Zeitchik, Steven.[https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/09/darren-aronofsky-chris-nolan-superman-david-goyer.html "It's a swan, it's a plane&nbsp;... Darren Aronofsky latest name to surface in Superman director search"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220315/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2010/09/darren-aronofsky-chris-nolan-superman-david-goyer.html |date=December 12, 2019 }}, ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', 2010/10/27</ref> Later during 2007, Aronofsky said he was planning to film a movie about [[Noah's Ark]].<ref>[https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/exclusive-aronofsky-direct-noah/ "Exclusive: Aronofsky To Direct Noah"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220312/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/exclusive-aronofsky-direct-noah/ |date=December 12, 2019 }}, ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'', 2007/05/30</ref>

Aronofsky had the idea for ''The Wrestler'' for over a decade.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.slashfilm.com/fox-searchlight-wins-the-wrestler/| title = Fox Searchlight Wins The Wrestler| publisher = Shashfilm| last = Sciretta| first = Peter| date = August 8, 2008| access-date = December 19, 2010| archive-date = February 2, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110202050400/http://www.slashfilm.com/fox-searchlight-wins-the-wrestler/| url-status = live}}</ref> He hired [[Robert Siegel (filmmaker)|Robert Siegel]] to turn his idea into a script. The actor [[Nicolas Cage]] entered negotiations in October 2007 to star as Randy, the film's protagonist.<ref name="moves">{{cite news | author=Goldstein, Gregg | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cage-makes-some-moves-wrestler-152451| title=Cage makes some moves on 'Wrestler' | work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=October 12, 2007 | access-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013234929/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3iafd724b50c2b4b1121448ac83ca016df |archive-date = October 13, 2007}}</ref> The following month Cage left the project, and [[Mickey Rourke]] replaced him in the lead role. Aronofsky said that Cage pulled out of the movie because Aronofsky wanted Rourke to star; Aronofsky said, stating that Cage was "a complete gentleman, and he understood that my heart was with Mickey and he stepped aside. I have so much respect for Nic Cage as an actor and I think it really could have worked with Nic but, you know, Nic was incredibly supportive of Mickey and he is old friends with Mickey and really wanted to help with this opportunity, so he pulled himself out of the race."<ref>{{cite news | author=Sciretta, Peter | url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/10/interview-darren-aronofsky-part-1/ | title=Interview: Darren Aronofsky | publisher=slashfilm.com | date=October 9, 2008 | access-date=September 24, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920202727/http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/09/10/interview-darren-aronofsky-part-1/ | archive-date=September 20, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Cage responded, "I wasn't quote 'dropped' from the movie. I resigned from the movie because I didn't think I had enough time to achieve the look of the wrestler who was on steroids, which I would never do".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/nicolas-cage-i-wasnt-dropped-from-the-wrestler-68605|title=Nicolas Cage: I Wasn't 'Dropped' From 'The Wrestler'|work=[[Access Hollywood]]|date=March 9, 2009|access-date=December 12, 2019|archive-date=December 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220312/https://www.accessonline.com/articles/nicolas-cage-i-wasnt-dropped-from-the-wrestler-68605|url-status=live}}</ref> The roughly 40-day shoot began in January 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Fleming | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/mickey-rourke-wires-wrestler-1117975773/ | title=Mickey Rourke wires 'Wrestler' | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=November 10, 2007 | access-date=December 12, 2019 | archive-date=December 12, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220314/https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/mickey-rourke-wires-wrestler-1117975773/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[The Wrestler (2008 film)|''The Wrestler'']] premiered at the 65th [[Venice International Film Festival]]. Initially receiving little attention, the film wound up winning the [[Golden Lion]], the highest award at the world's oldest film festival.<ref name="venice">{{cite web | url=http://content.foxsearchlight.com/studio/node/3027 | title=Darren Aronofsky (2008) | work=[[Fox Searchlight]] | access-date=December 3, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224140912/http://content.foxsearchlight.com/studio/node/3027 | archive-date=December 24, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> ''The Wrestler'' received critical acclaim, and both Rourke and co-star [[Marisa Tomei]] received [[Academy Award]], [[Golden Globe]], [[Screen Actors Guild|SAG]], and [[BAFTA]] nominations for their performances.<ref name="lots">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/4786193/Oscar-winners-Slumdog-Millionaire-and-Kate-Winslet-triumph-in-great-night-for-British-film.html |title=Oscar winners: Slumdog Millionaire and Kate Winslet lead British film sweep |author=Singh, Anita |date=February 23, 2009 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=May 23, 2007 |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226192153/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/oscars/4786193/Oscar-winners-Slumdog-Millionaire-and-Kate-Winslet-triumph-in-great-night-for-British-film.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Rourke won a Golden Globe, as did [[Bruce Springsteen]] for his original song written for the film. ''The Wrestler'' grossed $44,674,354 worldwide on a budget of $6,000,000 making it Aronofsky's highest-grossing film to that point.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wrestler.htm | title=The Wrestler (2008) | work=[[Box Office Mojo]] | access-date=May 23, 2007 | archive-date=December 16, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216071449/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wrestler.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

Aronofsky's next film was ''[[Black Swan (film)|Black Swan]]'', which had been in development since 2001, a [[psychological thriller]] [[horror film]] about a [[New York City Ballet|New York City ballerina]].<ref>[http://video.tvguide.com/Direct+Effect/Darren+Aronofsky+of+BLACK+SWAN/8030735 "Direct Effect Season 1, Episode 7 Darren Aronofsky of BLACK SWAN".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083839/http://video.tvguide.com/Direct+Effect/Darren+Aronofsky+of+BLACK+SWAN/8030735 |date=October 6, 2014 }} Fox Movie Channel Originals. TV Guide. October 11, 2011.</ref><ref name="talks">{{cite news |last=Lesnick |first=Silas |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/61596-mila-kunis-talks-black-swan|title=Mila Kunis Talks ''Black Swan'' |work=ComingSoon.net |date=December 13, 2009 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216220508/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=61596 |archive-date=February 16, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> The film starred actress [[Natalie Portman]], whom Aronofsky had known since 2000. She introduced Aronofsky to [[Mila Kunis]], who joined the cast in 2009.<ref name="kisses">{{cite news |last=Ditzian |first=Eric |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1646763/black-swan-director-darren-aronofsky-on-ballet-natalie-portman-and-lesbian-kisses/|title='Black Swan' Director Darren Aronofsky on Ballet, Natalie Portman And Lesbian Kisses |publisher=MTV |date=December 13, 2009 |access-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901182447/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1646763/20100830/story.jhtml |archive-date=September 1, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> ''Black Swan'' had its world premiere as the opening film at the [[67th Venice International Film Festival|67th Venice Film Festival]] in September 2010. It received a standing ovation whose length ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said made it "one of the strongest Venice openers in recent memory".<ref>{{cite journal | last=Vivarelli | first=Nick | url=https://variety.com/2010/biz/markets-festivals/aronofsky-flies-swan-at-venice-1118023600/ | title=Aronofsky flies 'Swan' at Venice | journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=September 2010 | access-date=December 12, 2019 | archive-date=December 12, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212220318/https://variety.com/2010/biz/markets-festivals/aronofsky-flies-swan-at-venice-1118023600/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

''Black Swan'' has received high praise from film critics, and received a record [[16th Critics' Choice Awards|12 Broadcast Film Critics Association nominations]], four [[Independent Spirit Awards 2010|Independent Spirit Award nominations]], four [[68th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe nominations]], three [[17th Screen Actors Guild Awards|SAG nominations]], and [[List of accolades received by Black Swan|many more accolades]].<ref name="RT5">{{cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_swan_2010/ |title= Black Swan Movie reviews, Pictures |website= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date= December 21, 2009 |archive-date= September 27, 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100927175352/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/black_swan_2010/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="spiritawards">{{cite web |url=http://www.spiritawards.com/nominees#Best%20Supporting%20Female |title=Nominees |publisher=[[Independent Spirit Awards]] |date=November 30, 2010 |access-date=December 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504124359/http://spiritawards.com/nominees#Best%20Supporting%20Female |archive-date=May 4, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="globesnom">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/blog/2010/12/the-68th-annual-golden-globe-awards-nominations/ |title=Nominees |publisher=[[Golden Globe Awards]] |date=December 14, 2010 |access-date=December 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505130819/http://www.goldenglobes.org/blog/2010/12/the-68th-annual-golden-globe-awards-nominations/ |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |df=mdy }}</ref> Aronofsky received a Golden Globe nomination for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Best Director]].<ref name="globesnom"/> The film broke limited-release box-office records and grossed an unexpectedly high $329,398,046.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/12/05/box-office-report-tangled/|title=Box office report: 'Tangled' wins slow weekend with $21.5 mil|last=Young|first=John|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=May 12, 2010|access-date=December 11, 2010|archive-date=October 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025155208/http://www.ew.com/article/2010/12/05/box-office-report-tangled|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="mojo">{{cite web| url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blackswan.htm| title=Black Swan (2010)| work=[[Box Office Mojo]]| access-date=March 17, 2011| archive-date=March 15, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315181429/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=blackswan.htm| url-status=live}}</ref> On January 25, 2011, the film was nominated for a total of five [[Academy Award]]s; [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]], [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]] and [[Academy Award for Best Film Editing|Best Film Editing]]. On February 27, 2011, Portman won for [[83rd Academy Awards|Best Actress]].<ref name="oscars">{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html|title=Nominees for the 83rd Academy Awards|publisher=oscars.org|access-date=March 17, 2011|archive-date=March 2, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302161531/http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was awarded the [[PRISM Award]] from the [[Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration]] for its depiction of mental health issues.<ref name="PRISM">{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2011/04/prism-awards-recognize-the-black-swan-the-fighter-and-others-at-15th-annual-show.html|title=15th Annual PRISM Awards|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2011|access-date=October 21, 2015|archive-date=March 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307214532/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2011/04/prism-awards-recognize-the-black-swan-the-fighter-and-others-at-15th-annual-show.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Aronofsky served as an executive producer on ''The Fighter'', which was also nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and won two for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]] and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for [[Christian Bale]] and [[Melissa Leo]].<ref name="oscars"/>

===Larger-budget productions===
[[File:The Whale 02 (52359204274).jpg|thumb|upright|Aronofsky at the premiere of ''The Whale'' in 2022]]
Aronofsky was attached to ''[[The Wolverine (film)|The Wolverine]]'', which was scheduled to begin production in March 2011, but he left the project due to scheduling issues.<ref name="wolverine">{{cite news |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |title=Darren Aronofsky Bows Out of 'Wolverine' |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 17, 2011 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/darren-aronofsky-bows-wolverine-168827 |access-date=March 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110320011049/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/darren-aronofsky-bows-wolverine-168827 |archive-date=March 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Additional March 17, 2011.</ref> The film was set to be sixth entry of the [[X-Men (film series)|''X-Men'' film series]], featuring a story revolving around [[Wolverine (character)|Wolverine]]'s adventures in Japan.<ref name="wolverine"/> In April 2011, Aronofsky was announced as the president of the jury for the [[68th Venice International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news|date=April 27, 2011|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13213802|title=Darren Aronofsky to head Venice film festival jury|work=[[BBC News]]|access-date=August 21, 2017|archive-date=May 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110506070130/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13213802|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2011, Aronofsky directed the music video for [[Lou Reed]] and [[Metallica]]'s "[[The View (song)|The View]]" from their album ''[[Lulu (Lou Reed and Metallica album)|Lulu]]''.<ref name="pitch2">{{cite web |last=Stusoy |first=Brandon |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/44522-darren-aronofsky-to-direct-video-for-loutallicas-iced-honey/ |title=Darren Aronofsky to Direct Video for Loutallica's "Iced Honey" |publisher=[[Pitchfork Media]] |date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=November 1, 2011 |archive-date=November 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105195817/http://www.pitchfork.com/news/44522-darren-aronofsky-to-direct-video-for-loutallicas-iced-honey/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aronofsky was set to direct an HBO series pilot called ''Hobgoblin''. Announced on June 16, 2011, the series would have depicted a group of magicians and con artists who use their powers of deception to defeat [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] during [[World War II]].<ref name="goblin">{{cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2011/06/darren-aronofsky-joins-magic-world-war-ii-drama-series-in-development-at-hbo-140780/|title=Darren Aronofsky Joins Magic World War II Drama Series in Development at HBO|magazine=Deadline|date=March 16, 2011|access-date=March 26, 2011|archive-date=June 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110618022322/http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/darren-aronofsky-joins-magic-world-war-ii-drama-series-in-development-at-hbo/|url-status=live}}</ref> He was set to work on the project with [[Pulitzer Prize]] winning author [[Michael Chabon]] and his wife Ayelet Waldman.<ref name="goblin"/> In June 2013, it was announced that HBO had dropped the show and Aronofsky had pulled out, as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/hbo-hobgoblin-darren-aronofsky-magic/|title=HBO Passes on Darren Aronofsky WW2 Magic Drama 'Hobgoblin,' FX Reportedly Considers|publisher=Screen Crush|date=June 18, 2013|access-date=February 12, 2015|archive-date=February 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212094046/http://screencrush.com/hbo-hobgoblin-darren-aronofsky-magic/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2011, Aronofsky tried to launch production on ''[[Noah (2014 film)|Noah]]'', a retelling of the Bible story of [[Noah's Ark]], projected for a $115 million budget.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=noah.htm|title=Noah (2014) – Box Office Mojo|website=boxofficemojo.com|access-date=February 27, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170304113807/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=noah.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Mecca|url=http://thefilmstage.com/news/darren-aronofskys-noah-project-attempting-to-anchor-at-paramount/|title=Darren Aronofsky's 'Noah' Project Attempting To Anchor At|publisher=The Film Stage|date=June 16, 2011|access-date=March 25, 2011|archive-date=August 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823232411/http://thefilmstage.com/news/darren-aronofskys-noah-project-attempting-to-anchor-at-paramount/|url-status=live}}</ref> By the following year, the film had secured funding and distribution from [[New Regency]] and [[Paramount Pictures]], with [[Russell Crowe]] hired for the title role.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://deadline.com/2012/06/douglas-booth-and-logan-lerman-board-boat-for-noah-281771/ | title = Douglas Booth And Logan Lerman Board Boat For 'Noah' | first = Mike | last = Fleming | website = Deadline Hollywood | date = March 4, 2012 | access-date = July 12, 2012 | archive-date = July 12, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120712122146/http://www.deadline.com/2012/06/douglas-booth-and-logan-lerman-board-boat-for-noah/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The film was adapted into a serialized [[graphic novel]] written by Aronofsky and [[Ari Handel]], published in French in October 2011 by the Belgian publisher [[Le Lombard]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ifc.com/fix/2011/10/darren-aronofsky-noah-graphic-novel | title = First look at Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" graphic novel hits the web | publisher = [[IFC (American TV channel)|IFC]] | date = October 21, 2011 | first = Terri | last = Schwartz | access-date = July 12, 2012 | archive-date = June 29, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120629204234/http://www.ifc.com/fix/2011/10/darren-aronofsky-noah-graphic-novel | url-status = dead }}</ref> By July 2012, Aronofsky's crews were building an ark set in [[Oyster Bay (hamlet), New York|Oyster Bay, New York]]. Aronofsky announced the start of filming on ''Noah'' on Twitter in the same month, tweeting shots of the filming in [[Iceland]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.flicksandbits.com/2012/07/20/darren-aronofskys-noah-begins-filming-starring-russell-crowe-ray-winstone-emma-watson/28748/ | title = Darren Aronofsky's ''Noah'' Begins Filming&nbsp;– Starring Russell Crowe, Ray Winstone & Emma Watson | publisher = Flicks and Bits | access-date = July 26, 2012 | url-status = usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120725200112/http://www.flicksandbits.com/2012/07/20/darren-aronofskys-noah-begins-filming-starring-russell-crowe-ray-winstone-emma-watson/28748/ | archive-date = July 25, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The film featured [[Emma Watson]], [[Anthony Hopkins]], [[Logan Lerman]], and [[Jennifer Connelly]], with the latter having also starred in ''Requiem for a Dream''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chitwood|first=Adam|title=Anthony Hopkins to Play Methuselah in Darren Aronofsky's NOAH|url=https://collider.com/anthony-hopkins-noah/178250/|work=Collider|access-date=July 25, 2012|date=July 9, 2012|archive-date=July 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717130601/http://collider.com/anthony-hopkins-noah/178250/|url-status=live}}</ref> During its opening weekend, ''Noah'' held the largest non-sequel opening within Russia and Brazil, and the fourth-largest opening of all time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|title=NTL BOX OFFICE UPDATE: 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' Captures $75.2M; 'Noah' Swells To $51.5M Cume; 'Rio 2' Breaks Brazil Records; 'Lego' Passes $400M; More|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/international-box-office-noah-shipshape-in-australia-russia-openings-overseas-cume-at-22m-from-4-markets-through-thursday-705857/|work=Deadline|date=March 31, 2014|access-date=October 21, 2015|archive-date=March 14, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200314060249/https://deadline.com/2014/03/international-box-office-noah-shipshape-in-australia-russia-openings-overseas-cume-at-22m-from-4-markets-through-thursday-705857/|url-status=live}}</ref> Aronofsky did not use live animals for the film, saying in a [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]] video that "there's really no reason to do it anymore because the technology has arrived".<ref>"[http://www.hollywood.com/news/brief/56840655/darren-aronofsky-there-were-no-real-animals-used-in-noah Darren Aronofsky: 'There were no real animals used in Noah'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328013946/http://www.hollywood.com/news/brief/56840655/darren-aronofsky-there-were-no-real-animals-used-in-noah |date=March 28, 2014 }}", WENN.com, March 25, 2014.</ref> The [[Humane Society of the United States]] gave him their inaugural Humane Filmmaker Award in honor of his use of computer-generated animals.<ref>"[http://www.3news.co.nz/Darren-Aronofsky-honoured-for-kindness-to-animals/tabid/418/articleID/337495/Default.aspx Darren Aronofsky honoured for kindness to animals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328011319/http://www.3news.co.nz/Darren-Aronofsky-honoured-for-kindness-to-animals/tabid/418/articleID/337495/Default.aspx |date=March 28, 2014 }}", WENN.com, March 26, 2014.</ref> That same year, he was announced as the president of the jury for the [[65th Berlin International Film Festival]] for February 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/darren-aronofsky-will-lead-the-2015-berlin-film-festival-jury|title=Darren Aronofsky will lead the 2015 Berlin Film Festival Jury|website=[[HitFix]]|access-date=August 21, 2017|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304191202/http://www.hitfix.com/in-contention/darren-aronofsky-will-lead-the-2015-berlin-film-festival-jury|url-status=live}}</ref>

Aronofsky's next film, ''[[Mother!]]'', was released by Paramount Pictures on September 15, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/02/mother-darren-aronofsky-jennifer-lawrence-release-date-1201778782/|title='Mother!': Darren Aronofsky Drama Starring Jennifer Lawrence Gets Awards-Friendly Release Date|website=[[Indiewire.com]]|first=Michael|last=Nordine|date=February 6, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-date=May 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170512172557/http://www.indiewire.com/2017/02/mother-darren-aronofsky-jennifer-lawrence-release-date-1201778782/|url-status=live}}</ref> It stars [[Jennifer Lawrence]], [[Javier Bardem]], [[Michelle Pfeiffer]], [[Domhnall Gleeson]], [[Ed Harris]] and [[Kristen Wiig]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title=Domhnall Gleeson, Michelle Pfeiffer Join Jennifer Lawrence in Darren Aronofsky Drama|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-movie-domhnall-gleeson-michelle-pfeiffer-1201754767/|access-date=July 12, 2016|work=Variety|date=April 15, 2016|archive-date=July 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160720111023/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/jennifer-lawrence-darren-aronofsky-movie-domhnall-gleeson-michelle-pfeiffer-1201754767/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/kristie-wiig-richard-linklater-drama-movie-whered-you-go-bernadette-1202049738/|title=Kristen Wiig In Negotiations To Star In 'Where'd You Go Bernadette?'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Anita|last=Busch|date=March 23, 2017|access-date=March 26, 2017|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032941/https://deadline.com/2017/03/kristie-wiig-richard-linklater-drama-movie-whered-you-go-bernadette-1202049738/|url-status=live}}</ref> The film sparked controversy upon release for its [[Aestheticization of violence|depiction of violence]],<ref name="Smith"/> and, though it received generally positive reviews,<ref name="RT_mother">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mother_2017/|title=Mother! (2017)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=September 15, 2017 |publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date=September 18, 2017|archive-date=September 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923175609/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mother_2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> it polarized audiences, becoming one of few films to receive a "F" [[CinemaScore]] grade.<ref name="opening2"/><ref name="Hughes"/> On review aggregator [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 68% based on 278 reviews, and an average rating of 6.8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "There's no denying that ''Mother!'' is the thought-provoking product of a singularly ambitious artistic vision, though it may be too unwieldy for mainstream tastes."<ref name="RT_mother" />

His next film would be "A courtroom drama of [[Artificial intelligence]]", in which he would cooperate again with Paramount Pictures, having doing so in ''Mother!''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharf|first=Zack|date=2017-07-18|title=Darren Aronofsky's Next Movie is An Artificial Intelligence Courtroom Drama|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/07/darren-aronofsky-new-movie-artificial-intelligence-courtroom-drama-1201856549/|access-date=2020-07-22|website=IndieWire|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811041512/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/07/darren-aronofsky-new-movie-artificial-intelligence-courtroom-drama-1201856549/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, he was the co-executive producer of ''[[Spheres: Songs of Spacetime|SPHERES]]'', a virtual reality journey through the universe, that was acquired in a seven figure deal at the 2018 [[Sundance Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=A VR Movie Set in Space Just Landed a 7-Figure Deal at Sundance. This Is Huge|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/vr-film-spheres-huge-sundance-deal/|access-date=2020-06-25|issn=1059-1028|archive-date=September 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904005737/https://www.wired.com/story/vr-film-spheres-huge-sundance-deal/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2021, his next film was announced to be ''[[The Whale (2022 film)|The Whale]]'', a film adaptation of [[Samuel D. Hunter]]'s play of the same name, starring [[Brendan Fraser]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ivie|first=Devon|date=2021-01-11|title=Darren Aronofsky Film 'The Whale' To Star Brendan Fraser|url=https://www.vulture.com/2021/01/darren-aronofsky-the-whale-brendan-fraser.html|access-date=2021-01-12|website=Vulture|archive-date=January 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112121239/http://www.vulture.com/2021/01/darren-aronofsky-the-whale-brendan-fraser.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Whale'' had its world premiere at the [[79th Venice International Film Festival]] on September 4, 2022, where it received a six-minute standing ovation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Setoodeh |first1=Ramin |last2=Sharf |first2=Zack |last3=Keslassy |first3=Elsa |date=September 4, 2022 |title=Brendan Fraser Breaks Down in Tears as 'The Whale' Gets Huge 6-Minute Standing Ovation in Venice |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/brendan-fraser-cries-the-whale-venice-standing-ovation-1235337836/ |access-date=March 28, 2023 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Fraser's performance was highly praised and won him the [[Academy Award for Best Actor]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Brendan Fraser wins best actor Oscar for 'The Whale' |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/brendan-fraser-wins-best-actor-oscar-whale-2023-03-13/ |website=[[Reuters]] |date=March 12, 2023 |access-date=March 28, 2023}}</ref> In 2023, Aronofsky director the feature ''[[Postcard from Earth]],'' which was produced and filmed exclusively for the [[Sphere (venue)|Sphere]] in the Las Vegas Valley on its [[16K resolution]] screen.

In 2024, it was announced that Aronofsky would direct the 1990s-set crime thriller ''[[Caught Stealing (film)|Caught Stealing]]'' for [[Sony Pictures]], with [[Charlie Huston]] adapting his own novel and [[Austin Butler]] attached to star.<ref>{{cite web|url=
https://deadline.com/2024/03/sony-caught-stealing-austin-butler-darren-aronofsky-1235869220/|title=Austin Butler To Star In Sony's 'Caught Stealing' Adaptation With Darren Aronofsky Directing|first= Justin|last=Kroll|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2024}}</ref> The film is set to be theatrically released on August 29, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jack |date=2025-01-30 |title=Austin Butler's 'Caught Stealing' Gets August Release Date, 'Insidious 6' Delayed to 2026 |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/austin-butler-caught-stealing-august-release-insidious-6-2026-1236290690/ |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Nonfiction work===
In 2018, Aronofsky executive produced the 10-part documentary series ''[[One Strange Rock]]'' for [[National Geographic]]. Episodes cover topics like the universe's origins, alien life, human intelligence, and themes of survival and destruction. Daniel Fienberg of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' describes ''One Strange Rock'' as "spectacular, delivering the same sort of bringing-science-to-life thrills for Earth as ''Cosmos'' did with the universe and ''Blue Planet'' and ''Planet Earth'' have done with myriad lifeforms."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fienberg |first=Daniel |date=2018-03-26 |title='One Strange Rock': TV Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/one-strange-rock-review-1097556/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aronofsky executive produced another National Geographic docuseries showcasing the planet's wonders, ''[[Welcome to Earth (TV program)|Welcome to Earth]]''. The six-episode program was released in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2021 |title=Welcome to Earth producer Darren Aronofsky loved torturing Will Smith |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/welcome-to-earth-producer-darren-aronofsky-loved-torturing-will-smith/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>

In 2020, Aronofsky produced director [[Lance Oppenheim]]'s debut feature documentary, ''[[Some Kind of Heaven]]''. Set in [[The Villages, Florida|The Villages]] retirement community in Florida, the film follows four residents who struggle to fit into the community's prepackaged paradise. In ''The A.V. Club'', A.A. Dowd says ''Some Kind of Heaven'' "is surely one of the most gorgeously, strikingly shot documentaries in recent memory".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-14 |title=Some Kind Of Heaven finds darkness in a sunny retirement community |url=https://www.avclub.com/some-kind-of-heaven-finds-darkness-beneath-the-sunny-su-1846060845 |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en}}</ref> The film premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://deadline.com/2020/01/darren-aronofsky-interview-lance-oppenheim-some-kind-of-heaven-sundance-1202843278/|title = Darren Aronofsky Returns to Sundance with 'Some Kind of Heaven', Directed by Gifted Young Protégé with "Tremendous Potential"|date = January 28, 2020|access-date = June 24, 2021|archive-date = June 24, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205358/https://deadline.com/2020/01/darren-aronofsky-interview-lance-oppenheim-some-kind-of-heaven-sundance-1202843278/|url-status = live}}</ref> before being released by [[Magnolia Pictures]] in 2021.

In 2022, Aronofsky produced director Alex Pritz's documentary ''[[The Territory (2022 film)|The Territory]]'', about the Indigenous [[Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau]] people's struggle against advancing deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, caused by farmers and unauthorized settlers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Christopher |date=2022-08-30 |title=How Alex Pritz Landed Darren Aronofsky To Produce His First Feature |url=https://nonfics.com/territory-documentary-darren-aronofsky-produced-alex-pritz-first/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Nonfics |language=en-US}}</ref> The film had its world premiere at the [[2022 Sundance Film Festival]] on January 22, 2022, and was released theatrically on August 19, 2022, by National Geographic to critical praise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lang |first=Brent |date=2021-12-09 |title=Sundance Unveils 2022 Feature Lineup, Including Films From Lena Dunham, Amy Poehler and Netflix's Kanye West Doc |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/sundance-film-festival-2022-lineup-lena-dunham-amy-poehler-cosby-kanye-west-netflix-1235129277/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-04-27 |title=40 Films to See This Summer |url=https://thefilmstage.com/40-films-to-see-this-summer-2022/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The Film Stage}}</ref> Guy Lodge of ''Variety'' writes, "'The Territory' is handsome without resting unduly on the natural beauty of its imperiled landscape, though iridescent closeups of plant and insect activity make clear the larger circle of life at stake here."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lodge |first=Guy |date=2022-01-22 |title='The Territory' Review: Indigenous Brazilians Stand Their Ground in an Urgent Environmental Docu-Thriller |url=https://variety.com/2022/film/reviews/the-territory-review-1235160642/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> The film was awarded a [[List of Peabody Award winners (2020–2029)#2022|2022 Peabody Award]] and was shortlisted for an Academy Award in the Documentary Feature Film category.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coates |first=Tyler |date=2023-05-09 |title=Peabody Awards: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'Andor,' 'Severance' and 'We're Here' Among Winners |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2023-peabody-awards-winnners-1235482343/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Verhoeven |first=Beatrice |date=2023-01-05 |title=Oscars: Tales of Artistry, Environmental Activism and Political Struggle Lead the Documentary Feature Race |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/2023-oscars-documentary-shortlist-1235291328/ |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aronofsky also created and executive produced ''Limitless'' for National Geographic, released in November 2022. The six-part series features [[Chris Hemsworth]] and delves into the science of longevity and how to live better and longer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Anthony |date=2022-11-16 |title=Limitless: Darren Aronofsky on the Moment That Put Chris Hemsworth in Very Real Danger |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/limitless-director-chris-hemsworth-danger-interview |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>