This is just confirmation bias. Kubrick made great formalistic films, Robert Altman made great naturalistic films. Joss Whedon focuses on script and characterization. Christopher Guest focuses on casting and improvisation. Wes Anderson focuses on casting and tableau and music.
They all make great stuff. By all means be a Kubrick if it works for you, but don't try to be something you're not.
The problem is the vast majority of directors who fancy themselves a Kubrick, but whose ego trails somewhat ahead of their skill, and who thus succeed only in offending the DP and diminishing the quality of their film.
They all make great stuff. By all means be a Kubrick if it works for you, but don't try to be something you're not.